StratNews Global | Stuck at Security: The Global Navigation Conundrum and Military Implications

This Oped examines the technical and regulatory landscape of GNSS devices, the security rationale behind their restriction, and the implications for military professionals globally. Drawing on recent developments in India, we explore how outdated regulations and a lack of technical clarity can hinder both civilian and military users, and what lessons can be learned for other nations.

By Dr. Y. Nithiyanandam

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Moneycontrol | Geospatial technology and its role in India’s Act East policy

India is enhancing regional influence through infrastructure like KMMTTP, reducing reliance on Bangladesh, while leveraging geospatial technology to manage complex terrains, monitor security threats, and counter China's growing strategic presence.

By Swathi Kalyani

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Deccan Herald | Hydropolitics a new reality for Pakistan

The Jhelum and Chenab rivers, where Pakistan previously enjoyed greater rights under the treaty, represent over 45,000 sq km of basin area with mean annual flows exceeding 45 million acre-feet.

By Swathi Kalyani

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Deccan Herald | Maritime Trade in Volatile Weather

India must invest more in weather monitoring systems to safeguard and leverage its maritime commerce

By Swathi Kalyani

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Deccan Herald | Mapping India’s geospatial intelligence

India must prioritise geospatial advancements to counter strategic challenges, unlock security benefits

By Swathi Kalyani

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Money Control | Locust invasion threat demands India-Pakistan co-operation

As the locust breeding season approaches, both India and Pakistan must depoliticise locust management and prioritise it as a humanitarian imperative. Using technology like drones, weather models, and AI predictions to track, forecast and control the movements of locusts to protect crops

By Rakshith Shetty and Keerthi Shree

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The New Indian Express | Is China's mega dam project a geopolitical weapon under the guise of development?

Given the ecological, social and geopolitical impacts of the project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, known as the Brahmaputra in India, China must commit to international norms for equitable resource sharing and data exchange.

By Y Nithiyanandam

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The Diplomat | Y Nithiyanandam on the Risks of China’s Ambitious Yarlung Tsangpo Project

“Without greater transparency on the part of China and cooperative frameworks, this dam could become a flashpoint in an already delicate regional equilibrium”

By Y Nithiyanandam

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Deccan Herald | A River Beyond Borders

Alterations to Brahmaputra’s flow can adversely affect the dependencies on Teesta – its major tributary – which originates from the Khangtse glacier in the northeastern Himalayas of India.

By Swathi Kalyani

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The Federal | China’s super dam on Brahmaputra: Why it's a geopolitical challenge and concern for India

With the region already prone to landslides and floods, the massive project undertaken by China could prove catastrophic, says Geospatial expert, Dr. Y. Nithiyanandam, Head of Geospatial Program at the Takshashila Institution.

By Y Nithiyanandam

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Resonant News | China’s Advanced firing range and probable SIGINT facilities near in Shigatse (Tibet Autonomous Region)

This report finds that a sophisticated PLA firing range near Shigatse is being used for high-altitude target practice and weapon calibration. Secondly, it finds evidence of probable SIGINT systems that can listen to a range of signals, including military and submarine communications, from vast distances.

By Y Nithiyanandam

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The New Indian Express | China's high-altitude heliports in Tibet a sobering reminder of threat to India along LAC

The military dynamics of Tibet are undergoing a fresh change with the construction of high-altitude helicopter infrastructure in the area.

By Y Nithiyanandam

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The Economic Times | Why fake satellite signals are a real threat to navigation systems in aviation, defence ops

A recent report highlights a 400% increase in GNSS spoofing incidents. These attacks have affected even modern aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing B789.

By Y. Nithiyanandam

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Geospatial World | Developing an Effective Space Strategy for India’s Defence

In an exclusive interview with Dr. Nithiyanandam, Head of the Takshashila Institution’s Geospatial Program discusses India’s unique approach to military space development and the increasing importance of Geospatial in defence.

By Y Nithiyanandam

Read the full article here.

Watch the full interview here

The New Indian Express | India's assurances and Bhutan's challenges: A delicate balance in the Himalayan kingdom

India's assurance that financial support for Bhutan's crucial initiatives will continue without interruption serves as a testament to the strong ties between the two countries.

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The Print | PM Modi’s absence from the SCO summit weakens India’s power as a swing state

Even as it keeps India tied up in the Himalayas, China is focused on the Indo-Pacific. Swing state diplomacy is India’s counter to this game plan.

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New Indian Express | Feeling hot, hot, hot? How India's cities can keep the mercury at bay

In January this year, data from two leading global organisations told us what we already sort of knew — that 2023 was the hottest year on record, and 2024 could potentially be worse. America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Europe’s Copernicus Climate Service simultaneously published data that should alarm the most hardline of global warming sceptics. Two months later, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published its independent study that confirmed the NASA and Copernicus conclusions. Read the full article here.

The New Indian Express | Toll Plazas: Where FASTags have fallen short and why India's new dream might prove harder to realise

There was once a toll to driving through toll roads on highways. To help ease it came the pan-India rollout of a FASTag based system in December 2019. More than four years later, we are now talking of a next-gen Global Navigation Satellite System based toll plazas. But how much of a difference have we seen? I was wondering about this while being stuck at Mahasamudram Toll Plaza (MTS) on National Highway 4 (now renumbered as 69) in Andhra Pradesh. This is a key stop, located around 170 km east of the Karnataka capital on the Bengaluru-Chennai highway. With an ocean of vehicles waiting to pass, there was total chaos on January 13 during the Makar Sankranti weekend. Read the full article here.

The New Indian Express | India’s National Geospatial Policy: Analysing progress and charting the future

As 2023 draws to a close, it is important to reflect on India’s strides in implementing its National Geospatial Policy, introduced on December 28, 2022. The National Geospatial Policy, 2022, is a pivotal initiative designed to advance the geospatial sector in support of national development, economic growth and the evolution of an information-rich economy. Geospatial technology is an advanced tool for analysing location-based data. It helps us monitor natural resources, plan development and respond to disasters. This technology provides a comprehensive view of Earth through satellite imagery, Global Positioning System (GPS), remote sensing, and Geographic Information System (GIS). It promotes spatial thinking to solve real-world problems and enables informed decisions and actions. Read the full article here.

Spacepreneur | India's Space and Geospatial Policies: Unlocking New Horizons

ISRO has made moderate-resolution satellite remote sensing data up to 5m spatial resolution available for free to Indian citizens, which is even more than what NASA and ESA offer. This is in line with India's new Space Policy, approved in
April 2023, which aims to expand India's space capabilities, open remote sensing data, and create international partnerships. The policy encourages private businesses to participate in the space economy. Another part of this development is the National Geospatial Policy, which focuses on spatial technologies and aims to achieve significant progress by 2035. This includes conducting a comprehensive survey of India's land and water resources. Many government departments are involved in this policy, and it emphasizes the link between Space and Spatial Sciences, which plays a crucial role in resource management and national development. Both policies are intended to drive India's progress in space and geospatial sectors. Read the full article here.