bhutan Courtesy: Indian Embassy Thimphu
13 June 2014

India-Bhutan: hydropower diplomacy

India’s long-term positive relationship with Bhutan is underpinned by hydropower: India helped develop Bhutan’s power projects and we purchase the surplus energy.The India-Bhutan relationship can be a model for improving links with Nepal which is trying to develop at least three projects jointly with India

Eu iran Courtesy: European External Action Service
26 November 2013

Iran-P5+1 interim accord: An assessment

On November 24, the P5+1 and Iran reached a consensus on the interim agreement regarding Tehran’s long-disputed nuclear program. How comprehensive is this agreement, and what are its potential upshots for U.S., and West Asia – especially Israel and Saudi Arabia? More importantly, can India play a positive role?

shale gas himani Justin Woolford Flickr Courtesy: Justin Woolford/Flickr
13 September 2013

The real cost of shale gas

India’s ability to meet its growing gas demand from shale depends on the availability of land and water, and minimising social and environmental costs. The government’s 2012 draft shale gas policy does not offer solutions. How can India create a stable investment environment for the shale gas market?

niyamgiri Rita Willaert flickr Courtesy: Rita Willaert/Flickr
23 August 2013

Fair business, fair growth

While the rejection by Odisha’s Gram Sabhas of mining projects in the state indicates the triumph of direct democracy, concerns that international investors will shun India due to the fear of unfavourable conditions are rife. How can we work towards both greater democracy and mining projects necessary for growth?

shale Courtesy: Penn State Outreach/Flickr
24 June 2013

Will shale change India’s energy equation?

The significant shale gas deposits held by several countries, including India, have implications for global energy prices, geopolitics and climate change. But India needs to develop a strong shale gas policy that can help in lowering its trade deficit while ensuring sustainable development.

china environment_0 Courtesy: quinn.anya/Flickr
9 August 2012

The precondition of democracy in China

The ongoing environmental movement in China - like many of the country’s burgeoning social movements - and those involved in it, are using various strategies to demand one of democracy’s preconditions—the rule of law.

iran talks Courtesy: IAEA Imagebank/Flickr
8 June 2012

All to play for in Moscow

Ahead of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 in Moscow, the West seems confident that sanctions will induce Iran to settle on its uranium enrichment. But rather than arriving at a negotiated settlement by applying the principle of reciprocity, the West may look to anaesthetize oil markets.

TAPI: Possibility or pipe dream? Courtesy: Michael Trolove/WikimediaCommons
21 December 2011

TAPI: Possibility or pipe dream?

Growing instability in the region make the planned Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline seem more like a burden than a solution to India’s hunt for alternative energy sources. Is it wise for India to move ahead with the $7.6 billion project?