Recent Updates

The Rise of Soft Power in the Gulf: A Comparative Analysis of GCC Strategies
International Affairs Sep 01, 2025

The Rise of Soft Power in the Gulf: A Comparative Analysis of GCC Strategies

In recent years, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have emerged as active and ambitious players in the global soft power arena. Faced with the twin pressures of economic diversification and geopolitical repositioning, these states are utilising an array of tools to reshape how they ...

Energy Transitions in the Gulf: Realities, Risks, and the Road Ahead
Energy Aug 26, 2025

Energy Transitions in the Gulf: Realities, Risks, and the Road Ahead

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have seen strong and accelerating progress in the energy transition, driven primarily by economic more than environmental factors. The adoption of low-carbon energy, including nuclear, renewables and batteries, has been most prominent in the electricity sector. Most of the ...

Overlooked and Underutilised: Blue Carbon Credits in India’s Voluntary Carbon Market
Energy | Climate Change Aug 25, 2025

Overlooked and Underutilised: Blue Carbon Credits in India’s Voluntary Carbon Market

Blue carbon ecosystems, despite covering less than 2 percent of the total ocean surface, account for nearly 50 percent of carbon burial in marine sediments. They provide many other co-benefits too, especially for Global South countries where they aid in food security, income generation, and ...

Charting the Growth and Aspirations of India’s Fintech Regulatory Sandboxes
Cyber and Technology Aug 22, 2025

Charting the Growth and Aspirations of India’s Fintech Regulatory Sandboxes

Fintech Regulatory Sandboxes have become essential tools for fostering innovation while maintaining regulatory oversight amid the rapid growth of global fintech, projected to reach US$1.5 trillion by 2030. India’s fintech sector, driven by robust digital infrastructure and government support, is expected to reach US$2.1 trillion ...

US-South Korea-Japan Trilateral: Challenges to an Enduring Security Cooperation
International Affairs Aug 21, 2025

US-South Korea-Japan Trilateral: Challenges to an Enduring Security Cooperation

Trilateral Security Cooperation (TSC) is a unique framework for the United States (US), South Korea, and Japan to jointly address the common security challenge of North Korea, particularly concerning its nuclear weapons programme. Acknowledging that a unified approach would be more effective in tackling North ...

Harnessing Traditional Indian Fermented Foods for Public Health and Climate Resilience
Healthcare | Climate, Food and Environment Aug 14, 2025

Harnessing Traditional Indian Fermented Foods for Public Health and Climate Resilience

Traditional Indian fermented foods represent a confluence of cultural heritage, nutritional functionality, and environmental sustainability, offering an effective dietary intervention amidst public health and climate-related challenges. Produced through natural or controlled microbial fermentation involving lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, and yeasts, these foods—such as idli (steamed ...

The Missing Heartbeat: Why Atmanirbharta in India's Shipbuilding Requires Indigenous Marine Engines
Maritime Security Aug 11, 2025

The Missing Heartbeat: Why Atmanirbharta in India's Shipbuilding Requires Indigenous Marine Engines

Despite India’s growing shipbuilding capabilities, its heavy dependence on imported marine engines reflects an inherent weakness in the maritime sector. Without indigenous propulsion, India’s ambitions for its blue economy remain dependent on foreign suppliers. Indigenous marine engines are not just technical assets, but the missing ...

The EU Joint White Paper for Defence Readiness 2030: Opportunities for India
Defence and Security Aug 08, 2025

The EU Joint White Paper for Defence Readiness 2030: Opportunities for India

On 19 March 2025, the European Commission issued a Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 amidst a historic shift in the US position on European security. The US endeavour to end the war in Ukraine and its reluctance to underwrite European security have ...

China-India Rapprochement: A Reality Check
International Affairs Aug 07, 2025

China-India Rapprochement: A Reality Check

India-China relations appear to be showing signs of easing, particularly with successive high-level exchanges between the two governments since late 2024. Given the positive momentum in bilateral ties in the past few months, there is cautious optimism in certain quarters that some kind of détente ...

Contributors

Amrita Narlikar

Amrita Narlikar

Dr. Amrita Narlikar’s research expertise lies in the areas of international negotiation, World Trade Organization, multilateralism, and India’s foreign policy & strategic thought. Amrita is Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. She is also Honorary Fellow of Darwin College, University ...

Read More + Sanjay Pattanshetty

Sanjay Pattanshetty

Dr. Sanjay M Pattanshetty is Head of theDepartment of Global Health Governance Prasanna School of Public Health Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Manipal Karnataka India. Additionally he has an affiliation with theDepartment of International Health Care and Public Health ...

Read More +