Commentary

Find our newspaper columns, blogs, and other commentary pieces in this section. Our research focuses on Advanced Biology, High-Tech Geopolitics, Strategic Studies, Indo-Pacific Studies & Economic Policy

Indo-Pacific Studies Sourav M Indo-Pacific Studies Sourav M

The Hindu | Redrawing the not-so-pretty energy footprint of AI

By Anwesha Sen & Sourav Mannaraprayil

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undoubtedly eased access to art and reduced the time and the effort required to complete certain tasks. For example, ChatGPT-4o can generate a Studio Ghibli-inspired portrait in seconds with just a prompt. But this ease comes at a significant energy cost that is often overlooked — one that has even led to Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) melting. As AI tools advance, this environmental impact will continue to become more detrimental, making this an unsustainable technology. How can AI be developed sustainably? And can leveraging nuclear energy, specifically Small Modular Reactors (SMR), be a possible alternative?

By Anwesha Sen & Sourav Mannaraprayil

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Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena

NDTV | 'Indian Threat', '1962 War': How Chinese 'Experts' Are Batting For Pak Over India

By Anushka Saxena

In the aftermath of the terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiankun commented that Beijing firmly opposes all forms of terrorism. And yet, China's posturing around the state of India-Pakistan relations has largely stuck to three assertions, which express its implicit support for Pakistan's position. 

By Anushka Saxena

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Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena

Indian Express | China is turning the heat on Taiwan

By Anushka Saxena

Since the inception of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader Lai Ching-te’s presidency in Taiwan, China’s policy signalling vis-à-vis the island has become much harsher and more aggressive. China’s stance on Taiwan has taken a more urgent and assertive turn in recent months. The unveiling of the new Shuiqiao amphibious vessels at Zhanjiang port in Guangdong, coupled with heightened activity and aggressive posturing by the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command — including the recent Strait Thunder 2025A exercises — signals a sharpened focus on readiness and control. At the same time, internal probes into top military figures such as Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice-Chairman He Weidong, former Political Work Department head Miao Hua, and Eastern Theater Commander Lin Xiangyang have effectively dismantled what was known as the “Taiwan-Fujian” faction within China’s military leadership. Adding to the sense of impending conflict, some outlets, citing unnamed intelligence sources, have suggested that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could occur within six months — further fueling anxiety and speculation.

By Anushka Saxena

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Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena

Indian Express | Black Sea Deal: Is it the beginning of the end for the Russia-Ukraine War?

By Anushka Saxena

With the new agreement brokered by the US, it is expected that even if not permanent, a long-term ceasefire in the Black Sea will finally allow for freedom of navigation and continuation of trade and commercial shipping. However, this time around, Russia, too, has learned its lesson, and has demanded that Western sanctions on its participation in global agricultural and fertiliser supply chains be immediately lifted, and a sanctioned Russian Bank be connected to the SWIFT international payment system – only then will it see the terms of the agreement through.

By Anushka Saxena

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High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami

Firstpost | Agentic AI: The next frontier in artificial intelligence

By Arindam Goswami

Agentic artificial intelligence follows the natural evolution of AI and a logical technological trajectory. These are new types of systems that can proactively identify problems, create plans, and execute complex tasks across digital environments with minimal human supervision. Regulatory response to these developments has to keep up.

By Arindam Goswami

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High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami

Moneycontrol | From Technological Rivalry to Global Governance: The path forward

By Arindam Goswami

The current geopolitical landscape is shaped by technological nationalism, driven by competition in AI and semiconductors. However, game theory and historical examples suggest that this phase will evolve into co-operative frameworks, balancing national interests with global technological cooperation

By Arindam Goswami

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High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami

Moneycontrol | Lessons from China's support for local startups — a path to innovation for India

By Arindam Goswami

China's local governments drive innovation through fiscal autonomy, incentives, and policy experimentation. India can adopt similar reforms by enhancing fiscal power, creating innovation zones, and aligning municipal leaders’ incentives with startup growth to foster a competitive, innovative economy

By Arindam Goswami

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High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami

Indian Express | The colonial era of AI is here — India must chart its own course

By Arindam Goswami

The Paris AI Action Summit, with its impressive array of declarations and initiatives, could not mask a deeper geopolitical reality: We have entered the colonial era of artificial intelligence, where corporate sovereignty increasingly trumps national sovereignty, and global governance and ethics have been put on the backburner while still being paid lip service. The final declaration by the real power players— the US and the UK — speaks volumes. They are the tech giants who have effectively colonised the digital frontier.

By Arindam Goswami

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High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami

Firstpost | Creative insecurity: What India can learn from Chinese DeepSeek saga

By Arindam Goswami and Shobhankita Reddy

DeepSeek benefitted from a supportive structural Chinese research and development ecosystem that existed for several decades. Also, Xi Jinping’s vision for a ‘Chinese Dream’ and national rejuvenation is rooted in technological supremacy

By Arindam Goswami and Shobhankita Reddy

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High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami High-Tech Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Studies Arindam Goswami

StratNews Global | China’s R&D Engine: Technology Diffusion Seamlessly Across Sectors

By Arindam Goswami

China's giant strides in developing cutting-edge technologies and ensuring these are disseminated where they are needed, is a tribute to the scientific eco-system they have evolved.

Massive investment, a deliberate alignment of, and removal of barriers between military and civilian research, and a clear commitment to becoming the global leader in critical technologies are vital characteristics of China’s S&T ecosystem.

It is a whole-system approach, which also focuses on building the requisite skill infrastructure, and recognises the capacity of General Purpose Technologies (GPTs) to increase economic productivity, and thereby, military prowess, by the process of diffusion into pervasive use in a wide range of activities and sectors.

By Arindam Goswami

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Indo-Pacific Studies Amit Kumar Indo-Pacific Studies Amit Kumar

ThinkChina | Is India warming up to Chinese investment?

By Amit Kumar

China’s investments in India, historically underwhelming, have dropped further with India’s fears of China’s “opportunistic takeovers”, says Indian researcher Amit Kumar. But a more favourable Indian public discourse towards Chinese investments and the potential for win-win benefits could turn things around.

By Amit Kumar

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Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena

The Times of India | One story, two endings, two countries

By Anushka Saxena

With the India-China patrolling agreement in eastern Ladakh holding up so far – both sides are carrying out verification patrols – following Modi and Xi’s meeting on the sidelines of Brics summit in Kazan, the optimistic developments along LAC are dominating the airwaves. But as welcome as such an agreement may be, it isn’t the complete reality of the India-China relationship. There is, in fact, a more systemic rift still visible in bilateral ties – one that has perhaps gone unnoticed in the wake of the patrolling agreement.

By Anushka Saxena

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Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena Indo-Pacific Studies Anushka Saxena

Life of Soldiers | ‘Integration’ in the PLA Western Theater Command: Practices and Patterns

By Anushka Saxena

Since wide-sweeping reforms of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) began in 2015, efforts of the country’s defence apparatus are oriented towards creating an “integrated” force capable of fighting and winning “high intensity, short duration, localised wars.” Integration has been focal to prepare for achieving the intended goal, and has manifested itself in both doctrine and real-time combat preparedness exercises. In the Western Theater Command of the PLA, which has a primary operation direction towards India, requirements to make integration a reality are reflected, too.

By Anushka Saxena

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Indo-Pacific Studies Rakshith Shetty Indo-Pacific Studies Rakshith Shetty

Deccan Herald | The carbon costs of the Israel-Gaza war

By Rakshith Shetty

As the war in Gaza continues to unfold, most of the attention is rightly focused on the immense human suffering and loss of life. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with thousands dead, millions displaced, and infrastructure decimated. However, one aspect of this war that is often overlooked is the environmental impact, specifically the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the military operations.

By Rakshith Shetty

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