Bengaluru Space Exercise - 2024
The Takshashila Institution hosted its inaugural Bengaluru Space Exercise, a two-day crisis simulation focusing on emerging governance and strategic challenges in outer space. The event, held on November 14-15, 2024, brought together stakeholders from India's military and civilian space sectors.
Through detailed crisis scenarios, participants explored two critical themes: the growing risks in an increasingly congested Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and the potential escalation of terrestrial conflicts into the outer space domain. The exercise aimed to gain fresh insights into strategic challenges and as well potential crisis responses.
The participants consisted of officers from the Indian armed forces, representatives from the private space sector, and academics.
Roundtable | India-China Trade and Investment: Approaches and Frameworks
To create an engaging forum for deliberation on vulnerabilities in India’s trade relationship with China, on September 11, 2024, the Indo-Pacific Studies Team at Takshashila organised a Roundtable discussion. The discussion was led by Amit Kumar and Pranay Kotasthane, and the panelists included eminent scholars such as Amb. V.S Seshadri (Senior Fellow for Economic Security at Delhi Policy Group), Dr. Amitendu Palit (Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead, ISAS, NUS), Dr. Partha Mukhopadhyay (Senior Fellow at Centre for Policy Research), and Mr. Santosh Pai (Partner at Trilegal).
The relevant frameworks under deliberation were Defining Dependence-induced Vulnerabilities in Asymmetrical Trade Interdependence: A Conceptual Framework (by Amit Kumar), and A Framework to Approach Chinese Firms (by Pranay Kotasthane).
Future Frontiers of India-US Collaboration
On 10 September 2024, the Takshashila Institution and US-India Business Council (USIBC) jointly organised an event ‘Future Frontiers of India-US Collaboration’, at the Taj West End, Bengaluru. Ambassador (retd.) Atul Keshap (President, USIBC) delivered welcome remarks, while Edward Knight (Executive Vice Chairman, Nasdaq and Chairman, USIBC) delivered the opening remarks. Narayan Ramachandran (Co-Founder, Takshashila) delivered the keynote address. He presented two key recommendations from a joint (upcoming) report on India-US relations by the Takshashila Institution and the Hudson Institute. First, expanding the India-US 2+2 meetings to become 3+3 by inviting ‘commerce’ to the table. Second, the need for deeper human capital exchange. An ensuing panel discussion on ‘Collaborative Frontiers in Emerging Technologies’ was moderated by Brad Staples (CEO, APCO) with Amy Hariani (Senior Advisor, USIBC), Pranay Kotasthane (Deputy Director, Takshashila), Sudhir Rao (India Managing Partner, Celesta Capital) and Saurabh Chandra (CEO, Ati Motors) as panellists.
Bretton Woods at 80: India’s Role in Creating the World Bank and IMF with Mr. Vikram Raghavan
On August 28, 2024, Takshashila Institution hosted Mr. Vikram Raghavan, Lead Counsel at the World Bank, for a talk on ‘Bretton Woods at 80: India’s Role in Creating the World Bank and IMF.’ Speaking in his private capacity, Mr. Raghavan explained the competing proposals for post-war reparations, the Keynes Plan and the White Plan. On India’s contribution to Bretton Woods, Mr. Raghavan highlighted how the Indian government sought extensive consultations from the RBI and chambers of commerce. He discussed the prominent members of the Indian delegation and how India was recognized as an independent entity at the conference.
Mr. Raghavan recounted how the British delegation, including Sir Jeremy Raisman of the Indian delegation, revised the American Plan during their voyage to New York on the Queen Mary. He also mentioned a secret pre-conference meeting at a US beach, where heavy negotiations took place among the US and British delegations, with Sir Jeremy in attendance. India’s bold proposal that the fund should have a development mandate was debated and eventually agreed upon at Bretton Woods. India also contributed to World Bank’s Article 1.
He explained India’s formal membership in the Bank and Fund, noting the lengthy ratification process. Mr. Raghavan concluded by emphasizing that India became the World Bank’s biggest borrower and a development laboratory for the bank, and acknowledged the policy contributions of Indian Executive directors in the Bank and the Fund.
Policy Seminar | Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Public Policy
The eighth cohort of our Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Public Policy kicked off their first in-person workshop convening with a policy seminar in Delhi! We heard from a wide range of exemplary public policy practitioners on issues ranging from the economic trends to the clean energy transition India is grappling with.
Click here to learn more about the PGP and apply for the next cohort:
Book Conversation | Poles Apart: The Military and Democracy in India and Pakistan
On 16th August 2024, the Takshashila Institution held an in-person conversation with Dr Aditya Sondhi, author and a senior advocate, on his latest book, "Poles Apart: The Military and Democracy in India and Pakistan". Amit Gaur, a fellow of Takshashila's defence fellowship, moderated the session.
The session looked into various facets of civil-military relations in India and Pakistan, analysing military history and comparative constitutionalism in both countries. It also delved into the role of Bangladesh's military in the current political crisis in Dhaka. The session rightly identified how civil-military relations could be the deciding factor in the growth of democracy in the Indian subcontinent.
Inaugural Network for Advanced Study of Pakistan (NASP) Fellowship Winners Announced
Takshashila’s Network for Advanced Study of Pakistan (NASP) Fellowship creates high-quality scholarship and knowledge of Pakistan in India by nurturing new generations of analysts in academia, the armed forces, think tanks, media, and industry. Today, we announce the successful completion of the pioneer cohort of the NASP Fellowship. The cohort commenced in May 2023, with 14 papers by 21 Fellows. Seven mentors, including Prof. Sumit Ganguly, Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, Dr TCA Raghavan, Dr Aparna Pande, Lt Gen. Prakash Menon, Anand Arni and Pranay Kotasthane, helped the NASP Fellows over ten months to refine their papers through online interactions. The Fellowship also comprised an in-person conference that was organised in November 2023, where the working papers were presented for feedback.
Takshashila Hosted Christopher W. Hodges, US Consul-General, for a Discussion on India-US Partnership
On February 28, 2024, the Takshashila Institution hosted H.E Mr. Christopher W. Hodges, US Consul-General in Chennai, India, for a closed-door conversation on the India-US partnership. The session was moderated by Mr. Narayan Ramachandran, co-founder of the Takshashila Institution. Mr. Hodges highlighted that the India-US partnership needs to move beyond the bilateral mechanisms of diplomacy, such as 2+2 dialogues and prime ministerial meetings, towards a partnership that revolves around diversity and inclusion, convergence of our broader values, and enabling right of access and engagement with each others’ populations.
Takshashila hosted a #BookLounge Discussion on When The Chips Are Down: A Deep Dive Into a Global Crisis
Takshashila hosted a #BookLounge discussion on the latest hit, When The Chips Are Down: A Deep Dive Into A Global Crisis, authored by Pranay Kotasthane and Abhiram Manchi.
The Takshashila Institution hosted Indian Armed Forces officers
The Takshashila Institution hosted Indian Armed Forces officers currently engaged with the College of Defence Management, Hyderabad, on Friday, 15th December. Takshashila engaged with the officers on the topics of the intersection of technology and geopolitics, and China’s vision for the global system.
Takshashila Hosts the Bengaluru Science Policy Forum
The Takshashila Institution hosted the Bengaluru Science Policy Forum, a collaboration between Takshashila and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). The forum discussed the draft Karnataka Biotech Policy and the larger biotechnology policy landscape. The participants included scientists and policy analysts.
Takshashila hosts dialogue between Mr. Talmiz Ahmad (former Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia) and Mr. Sanjay Pulipaka (Chairperson of the Politeia Research Foundation)
The Takshashila Institution hosted Mr. Talmiz Ahmad (former Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia) and Mr. Sanjay Pulipaka (Chairperson of the Politeia Research Foundation) on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 to discuss a range of issues related to an evolving world order and shifting geopolitical landscapes.
Nitin Pai on The Nitopadesha at the Bangalore Literature Festival
Nitin Pai, Director of Takshashila Institution, and author of the bestselling book ‘Nitopadesha’ featured on a panel at the Bangalore Literature Festival on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Vivek Shanbag, author, hosted the conversation. Nitin spoke on the motivation behind his work and the meaning of ‘prajadharma’ in a modern democracy. The book is a unique collection of stories from the animal world containing ancient and timeless wisdom on a citizen’s role in society, governance, markets, economic freedoms, and more.
Takshashila Internal Conference on Assessing the Impact of Israel-Palestine Conflict
Takshashila Institution held an internal conference on Assessing the Impact of Israel-Palestine Conflict on November 29, 2023. Aditya Ramanathan, Associate Fellow, Advanced Military Technologies programme chaired the panel. Four papers were presented at the conference by scholars of Takshashila. Scholars of Takshashila Manoj Kewalramani, Satya Sahu, Sarthak Pradhan, Shambhavi Naik, and Yusuf Unjhawala presented their papers.
Takshashila Hosts Quad Fellows from the Leaders Lead on Demand Program
The Takshashila Institution hosted the Quad Fellows from the Leaders Lead on Demand Program, on Thursday, November 16, 2023. The visiting delegation included Mr. Blake Berger, Ms. Daria Impiombato, Ms. Elizabeth Morison, Ms. Sucharita Bhattacharjee and Dr. Saya Kiba. The delegation had an engaging conversation with the Takshashila team on several Quad-related issues.
Takshashila Organised the First NASP Academic Conference
The Takshashila Institution organised a three-day Network for Advanced Study of Pakistan (NASP) Academic Conference 2023 on November 3-5 at Neev Academy, Bengaluru. The conference witnessed participation from the pioneer cohort of NASP Fellows and distinguished mentors. The working paper presentations by the NASP Fellows were structured around four themes: Foreign Policy, Geopolitics & Defence, Society & Culture, Contemporary Law & Political Economy, and Politics & Internal Security. The NASP mentors Dr. Sumit Ganguly, Sr. Ayesha Siddiqa, Dr. Aparna Pande, and Mr. Anand Arni also participated in a panel discussion on ‘Pakistan’s Politics and Economics: An Inflection Point or Business as Usual?’.
Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon Chaired a Session at the Inaugural Chanakya Defence Dialogue, New Delhi
Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon, Head of Strategic Studies at the Takshashila Institution, chaired a session on ‘Collaborative Partnership for Security’ at the first Chanakya Defence Dialogue at New Delhi on November 2 & 3, 2023. It witnessed participation from Dr Satoru Nagao (Japan), Ms Vani Sarraju Rao (India) apart from Dr R De Castro (Philippines) and Dr Paco Milheit (France).
Takshashila Conducted the First Workshop of the Network for Advanced Study of China Fellowship
The Takshashila Institution held a workshop for the pioneer cohort of the Network for Advanced Study of China (NASC) Fellowship on 27, 28, and 29 October 2023. The workshop focused on acquainting the NASC Fellows with ideas pertaining to the study of China, such as domestic imperatives of Chinese foreign policy, China's political economy, and the nature of policymaking in China. The workshop engaged mentors Dr. Alka Acharya, Dr. Pradeep Taneja and Manoj Kewalramani, as well as Fellows from diverse backgrounds.
Book Event | Nitin Pai on ‘Nitopadesha’ at the International Centre Goa
Nitin Pai, Director and Co-founder of the Takshashila Institution, and author of Nitopadesha, was in conversation with Dr. Pushkar, Director of International Centre Goa as part of the Kitaab - Books in Discussion series on Saturday, October 14th in Panaji, Goa. During his talk, Nitin recounted stories from the book that showcase eternal values interspersed across encounters in the animal world. He spoke on the importance of empowering citizens and citizen craft in a democracy.
Takshashila Conducted the Second PGP Workshop in Goa
The Takshashila Institution conducted the second workshop for the current cohort of its Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy (PGP) from October 13 to October 15, 2023. The workshop was held at The International Centre Goa (ICG), Panaji. Nitin Pai, Anupam Manur, and Sarthak Pradhan from Takshashila also participated. The students took part in a policy simulation exercise on the topic of managing the impact of El Nino on agricultural outputs. They also engaged in a complex systems thinking exercise using Kumu on the issue of the Israel-Palestine conflict.