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Defence Technology Ecosystem for Aatmanirbhar Bharat

This report is an outcome of a study conducted by the Vivekananda International Foundation to find out the causes of shortfall in performance and work out recommendations for further reforms in the defence sector. This study was conducted in four components, including four thematic roundtables chaired by prominent personalities like the former Defence Secretary, former Secretary Defence (R&D), former Secretary (DST) and the Vice Chancellor of DIAT; several subject-specific seminars; study of Defence Technology Ecosystems (DTEs) of important countries and review of previous Indian studies.

July 26, 2024 Download
National Security and Strategic Studies, Technological and Scientific Studies
Tags: Aatmanirbhar Bahrat, Defence Exports, Defence R&D, Defence technology, Ecosystem, Make in India, MoD Organisations
Building Capabilities and Capacities for India - Policy suggestions for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government 2024

The Vivekananda International Foundation has published a report Building Capabilities and Capacities for India: Policy Suggestions for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government 2024. It makes several policy suggestions in areas ranging from foreign policy, defence technology and strategic manufacturing to climate change, cybersecurity and culture and civilisation. Based on the expert-level discussions held at the VIF, the report suggests an expansion of diplomatic capacity to enable deeper engagement with the world.

July 4, 2024 Download
Governance and Political Studies
Tags: Ayurveda, Climate Change, cybersecurity, foreign policy, Government, Higher Education, India, International trade, Modi 3.0, NDA, Policy suggestions
Monthly Compilation of Views of VIF Expert Groups: May 2024
Anurag Bisen, Senior Fellow, VIF

During the month, the VIF Pakistan Experts Group discussed critical issues shaping Pakistan's current landscape. The session focussed on Pakistan's political outlook, noting the dominant role of the military following the marginalisation of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The current Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, faces challenges, reflecting the military's enduring influence despite opposition limitations. Economically, despite potential IMF support and Gulf investments, structural reforms remain elusive, with a shift away from Chinese engagement noted.

June 28, 2024 Download
International Relations and Diplomacy
Tags: artificial intelligence, China West Asia Relations, Pakistan, sustainable development, Taiwan
Monthly Compilation of Views of VIF Expert Groups: April 2024
Anurag Bisen, Senior Fellow, VIF

During the month, the VIF Pakistan Study Group discussed critical issues shaping Pakistan's current landscape. Among the key topics deliberated were the post-election political dynamics, judiciary crisis, status of political figures Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, terrorism escalation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Shehbaz Sharif's Saudi Arabia visit, and Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. Following February's parliamentary elections, tensions surged among major parties, leading to disqualification of PTI-backed SIC by the Election Commission.

May 29, 2024 Download
International Relations and Diplomacy
Tags: Capacity Building, Crisis in Judiciary, Defence Capability, dialogue, first responder, India-US relations, Indian Navy, Indigenous Technology, Maritime Security, National Maritime Security Coordinator, Operation Sankalp, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Terrorism
Monthly Compilation of Views of VIF Expert Groups: March 2024
Anurag Bisen, Senior Fellow, VIF

During the month, the VIF Neighbourhood Experts Group hosted a roundtable discussion to analyse recent developments in Nepal and their implications for India. It emerged that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's removal of the Nepali Congress from the government marked a significant political shift, as he welcomed the Communist Party of Nepal — Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) and two other parties to form a new government, reminiscent of previous coalitions since 2022.

May 29, 2024 Download
International Relations and Diplomacy
Tags: Economic Recovery, Economic Roadmap, elections, Gaza Conflict, Geopolitical Challenges, Hamas, India- Sri Lanka relations, India-South Korea relations, instability, Iran, Israel, military, National People’s Congress (NPC), Nepal, Political Landscape, President Yoon
International Strategic Engagement Capsule (IN-STEP)
Anurag Bisen, Senior Fellow, VIF

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a two-day International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) module on March 26-27, 2024, for 37 senior policymakers (both civil and military) including 29 from overseas. The overseas participants came from 21 countries, namely Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Comoros, Guyana, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Surinam, Tanzania, and Thailand.

April 23, 2024 Download
International Relations and Diplomacy
Tags: Climate Change, energy transition, India Civilizational, India's Foreign Policy, Indian Economy, New Economic Order, Strategic Engagement, World Order
Visiting Delegations Report - February 2024
Anurag Bisen, Senior Fellow, VIF

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) was visited by several delegations during the month of February. These included representatives of nine countries, Europe, and a delegation from the SWIFT. Diverse range of issues were discussed, including the global world order, regional security situation, ongoing conflicts, and India’s bilateral relations with the individual countries.

April 4, 2024 Download
International Relations and Diplomacy
Tags: bilateral Relations, Civilizational ethos, Global world order, Ongoing conflicts, Regional security situation, Think Tanks, Visiting Delegations
Monthly Compilation of Views of VIF Expert Groups: January 2024
Anurag Bisen, Senior Fellow, VIF

Having joined the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on 16th January, soon after my superannuation from the Indian Navy on 31 December 2023, I have been assigned the onerous task of editing the ‘Monthly Expert Groups Report’. It is a tall order and I have some very big shoes to fill, considering that my predecessor, Commodore Gopal Suri (Retd.) was handling it. Nevertheless, it would be my endeavour to match up to him. Being my maiden effort, I wish to seek the indulgence of the readers.

March 6, 2024 Download
International Relations and Diplomacy
Tags: Bangladesh Election, Climate Change, defence manufacturing, India US Relations, Iran Pakistan Tensions, MSMEs, US Grand Strategy
Indian Democracy and Governance
Team VIF

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) receives a large number of foreign delegations, student groups and individuals who do not have a great deal of familiarity with India but wish to know about the country, its history, geography, civilisation, culture, foreign policy, security challenges, etc. A need has been felt for an authentic and informative set of notes which can be used for briefings and be shared with visiting delegations.

March 5, 2024 Download
Governance and Political Studies
Tags: democracy, foreign policy, governance, India, Security challenges
Monthly Compilation of Views of VIF Expert Groups: November - December 2023
Prerna Gandhi, Associate Fellow, VIF

As 2023 came to a close, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) deliberated on regional issues with implications for India as part of the discussions in its Strategic Issues Group. The ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict has serious implications for India and during the deliberations of this Group, it was abundantly clear that the appetite for the two-state solution seems to have dwindled on both sides. Israel’s stated objective of destroying Hamas appears to be very ambitious, considering the widespread resistance to its ideology, both in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

February 15, 2024 Download
International Relations and Diplomacy
Tags: Indo-Indonesian Geopolitics, Israel–Palestine War, Pakistan, Quantum World, Semiconductor technology
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