Papers by Uma Purushothaman
Vestnik MGIMO-universiteta, May 24, 2023
This study explores the implications of climate change for the bilateral relationship between Ind... more This study explores the implications of climate change for the bilateral relationship between India and Russia. While current research primarily focuses on the strategic aspects of their relationship, little attention has been given to the factors that could shape its future. Climate change has significant economic and social impacts on both countries, raising questions about how it will affect their relations. This paper examines the potential effects on livelihoods, agriculture, and trade, and investigates whether India and Russia can find areas of cooperation despite their differing roles as fossil fuel consumer and exporter, respectively. Despite their reliance on Western technology transfer, India and Russia have the opportunity to collaborate and develop new technologies together. The study highlights the potential for joint efforts in renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It also explores collaboration in biofuel production using Russia's biomass resources. Disaster risk management and information sharing emerge as additional areas of potential cooperation in the face of climate change. Collaboration in these areas can enhance preparedness and response mechanisms, strengthening overall resilience. The study also considers the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a potential collaboration opportunity. As the Arctic ice melts, the NSR offers a viable trade route between Russia's European and Far Eastern regions. India has shown interest in contributing to its development, which could reduce shipping losses and emissions in transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need for adaptation and adjustment in the bilateral relationship to address climate change challenges. It underscores the importance of scientific collaboration, exploring joint initiatives, and developing sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change while strengthening the longstanding India-Russia partnership.
The Indian public has traditionally had very little say in the making of foreign policy. However,... more The Indian public has traditionally had very little say in the making of foreign policy. However, they do have views on foreign policy and the media and elites play an important role in influencing them. What do Indians think about the US, the most important power in the world and about the bilateral relations between New Delhi and Washington? Have the views of Indians on the US evolved over the years and what do Indians think about India's future ties with the US? This article examines these questions and traces historically Indian views of the US and how they have evolved over the years. The article uses available data from opinion polls and studies based on opinion polls. A descriptive analytical approach is used for the study.
International political economy series, 2023
Routledge eBooks, Nov 23, 2022
Nidan : International Journal for Indian Studies, 2020
The “Roads” and “Belts” of Eurasia, 2020
India’s approach to the Chinese One Belt One Road (OBOR), now called the Belt and Road Initiative... more India’s approach to the Chinese One Belt One Road (OBOR), now called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and other connectivity-related cooperation ideas in the region are not uniform despite the economic advantages some of these projects offer. India appears to view such projects to a significant extent through the prism of geostrategic and security interests. Economic considerations appear to sometimes play a secondary role. This understanding of India’s stance on such projects explains its reluctance to be part of the BRI, but supports among others the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM), International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Mekong Ganga Initiative.
India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, 2019
The Eurasian supercontinent has again assumed importance in world politics in the context of the ... more The Eurasian supercontinent has again assumed importance in world politics in the context of the declining power of the USA, the rise of India and China and Russia’s return to global geopolitics. At the same time, ‘connectivity’ has become the catchphrase in the supercontinent, thanks to China’s aggressive pushing of its Belt Road Initiative (BRI). This article examines India’s approaches to connectivity projects in Eurasia, including those in its immediate neighbourhood. It argues that India’s approach to connectivity-related cooperation ideas in the region like the BRI is not uniform despite the economic advantages some of these projects offer. India appears to view such projects to a significant extent through the prism of geostrategic and security interests. Finally, it examines the implications of India’s approach to connectivity for India as well as the broader region.
Observer Research Foundation …, 2011
... countries. In 2009, India purchased eight P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft worth $2.1 bill... more ... countries. In 2009, India purchased eight P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft worth $2.1 billion, six C-1301J transport aircraft worth $1 billion and 99 jet engines for theTejas LCA worth around $800 million from General Electric. ...
Strategic Analysis, 2012
Abstract India's ties with Iran have become an irritant in the India–US relationship. Several... more Abstract India's ties with Iran have become an irritant in the India–US relationship. Several scholars have alleged that the US is influencing India's Iran policy. This article examines three cases in which the US is said to have influenced India's position: the Iran–Pakistan–India (IPI) pipeline; India's votes against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency; and the Reserve Bank of India's guidelines of December 2010, which stopped oil payments to Iran through the Asian Clearing Union. The article concludes that while American pressure on India in each of these cases was tremendous and might have had some influence on India's position, this alone was not the decisive factor that determined India's stance. Given its well-documented tradition of maintaining strategic autonomy in its foreign policy, India would not have taken the positions it did if it had fundamental disagreements with the US on these issues.
Soft power’s importance has increased in the context of globalisation and the growing disquiet ov... more Soft power’s importance has increased in the context of globalisation and the growing disquiet over the use of military power for achieving foreign policy objectives. This paper focuses specifically on soft power in India’s foreign policy and sources of India’s soft power like the Indian diaspora, Indian culture, etc. It also looks at what affects India’s soft power inimically and how to increase its soft
This New Year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to strengthen India-Russia relations. Fr... more This New Year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to strengthen India-Russia relations. From several senior level bilateral meets in 2017 to increasing trade, India-Russia relations have already regained momentum. Apart from shared worldview and strong military-technical partnership, the two countries need to now look at strengthening economic and cultural relations writes Uma Purushothaman.
That the world is going through a transition to a multipolar order is now indisputable. This new ... more That the world is going through a transition to a multipolar order is now indisputable. This new order will require new rules of engagement. Can the two Asian giants, China and India, help frame some of these rules? Have they been able to cooperate on any issues of global governance so far? These are some of the questions we explore in this chapter. The chapter begins with a definition of ‘international order’. It then examines the transition to a multipolar world order and the challenges to global governance in this new order. It then looks at areas where China and India have cooperated and can cooperate. It concludes that while they could cooperate and set the rules in areas where they do not have core interests, it is unrealistic to expect them to help in framing rules of high politics because, as two rising powers, their goals are inherently irreconcilable and contradictory: while China appears to be seeking hegemony in Asia, India, too, has ambitions to be a great power.
A rapprochement of sorts seems to be underway between two countries important to India's fore... more A rapprochement of sorts seems to be underway between two countries important to India's foreign policy calculus its long-time partner and primary supplier of arms, Russia, and a neighbour with which it has had hostile relations, Pakistan. Beginning with a thaw in the 2000s, the two countries appear to have taken their relationship to the next level with the recent transfer of MI-35 helicopters to Pakistan from Russia. What are the forces driving this new outreach between the two countries? And what are the implications for India? This paper argues that Russia-Pakistan relations are unlikely to develop into a true strategic partnership given India's leverage over Russia, the historical memory of Russia-India ties, and Pakistan's own relations with the US and China. Still, India must remain wary of this new dynamic in Russia-Pakistan ties and tailor its policies accordingly. Moscow in October 2012. There were also reciprocal visits by Foreign Ministers, Air Force Chiefs, ...
International Studies, 2012
International Studies, 2012
Social Sciences
India responded to the COVID-19 measures abruptly and in a tough manner during the early stages o... more India responded to the COVID-19 measures abruptly and in a tough manner during the early stages of the pandemic. Its response did not take into consideration the socio-economic life of the majority of people in India who work in the informal sector and the sheer diversity of the country. The imposition of a nationwide lockdown using the Disaster Management Act 2005 enabled the Union Government to impose its will on the whole country. India has a federal system, and health is a state subject. Such an overbearing role on the part of the Central Government did not, however, lead to coordinated action. Some states expressed their differences, but eventually all complied with the central guidelines. The COVID-19 pandemic struck at a time when an agitation was going on in the country, especially in New Delhi, against the Citizen Amendment Act. The lockdown was imposed all of a sudden and was extended until May 31. This led to a humanitarian crisis involving a large number of domestic migr...
India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs
Russia has re-emerged as a major player in the Middle East once again, mainly because of its mili... more Russia has re-emerged as a major player in the Middle East once again, mainly because of its military intervention in the Syrian civil war in September 2015. This article throws light on Russia’s civilizational links with the region and what its aims in the region have been over the years, including the during Cold War. While Russia’s foreign policy towards the Middle East was passive in the tumultuous years following the fall of the Soviet Union, over the last few years, it has begun reorienting and recalibrating its policy towards the region. This article discusses Russia’s current aims in the region and its global ambitions, linking these to its intervention in the Syrian civil war, paying particular attention to the close ties that Russia has with Syria. This article attempts to explore whether Russia’s presence in the region is sustainable. It also explains the consequences of Russia’s intervention for the region and for Russia itself.
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Papers by Uma Purushothaman