Indo-Pacific Studies Programme

The Indo-Pacific Studies Programme at The Takshashila Institution looks at the geopolitical events and actors across the Indo-Pacific and India’s role in the region.

About the Programme

The Indo-Pacific region is rapidly emerging as the geopolitical and geoeconomic center of the world for two reasons: the region’s intrinsic strengths vis-a-vis population size, GDP growth rate, trading and military spending, as well as the changing status quo in the region, shaped by the US-China contestation.

In this regard, the research work of the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme focuses on fields of significant importance to the region, such as China Studies, Quad Studies, and Diplomacy & Security Studies.

Our work on Defining Dependence-Induced Vulnerabilities in Asymmetric Trade Interdependence lays out a framework for defining Dependency, Vulnerability, and Strategic and Critical Vulnerabilities.

Our Areas of Focus

China Studies

This initiative aims to understand Chinese domestic and foreign policies, sources of friction, and opportunities keeping in mind Indian national interests, and recommend actionable measures for Indian policymakers.

Read about our work on China’s Global Security Initiative

Quad Studies

This initiative aims to study the domestic, bilateral and multilateral engagements among the Quad countries - US, India, Japan, and Australia, and recommend actionable measures for Indian policymakers.

Browse our work on the Quad Hub

Diplomacy and Security

This initiative studies the evolving policies of different actors across the Indo-Pacific. The aim is to recommend pathways for India to strengthen its relationships with like-minded partners, particularly in its immediate geographical neighborhood.

Read about our work on the China-Taiwan Saga

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LATEST RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

LATEST COMMENTARIES

LATEST PODCASTS

LATEST VIDEOS

Featured
China Expert: “India Must Copy This From China To Stay Ahead!” Manoj Kewalramani | Neon Show:
China Expert: “India Must Copy This From China To Stay Ahead!” Manoj Kewalramani | Neon Show:

China is the 2nd largest economy. India’ is on it’s way to become the 3rd largest economy. Few decades ago both were at the same level. Is there anything for India to learn from China? Or we will have our own unique journey?

This episode of The Neon Show explores the nuances behind the economic and political landscapes of India and China. From becoming the world’s biggest factory to now shifting to high-end manufacturing. From economic liberalisation to now back to being heavily controlled by the government. From boom to bust.

China & India are two very unique countries. But are there any similarities between these two Asian giants? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on two of the world’s most important economies.

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China Spektrum online discussion: The CCP’s Third Plenum and China’s future economic course: Manoj Kewalramani
China Spektrum online discussion: The CCP’s Third Plenum and China’s future economic course: Manoj Kewalramani

Against the backdrop of economic challenges and shaken confidence of Chinese citizens, entrepreneurs and international investors, the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party gathered from July 15 to 18 in Beijing for the Third Plenum. After the meeting, the CCP presented a 60-page document outlining its plans for reform and modernization. In this China Spektrum Online Discussion, panelists Jude Blanchette (CSIS), Manoj Kewalramani (Takshashila Institution), Katja Drinhausen (MERICS) and Kristin Shi-Kupfer (University of Trier) discussed the outcomes of the Third Plenum and the implications for international stakeholders. The session was moderated by Claudia Wessling, Director Communications & Publications at MERICS.

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China's population declines despite parenting subsidy policies: Manoj Kewalramani
China's population declines despite parenting subsidy policies: Manoj Kewalramani

China's population is shrinking, as millions enter old age and fewer young people to replace them. This demographic shift has led to the closure of thousands of preschools with more and more facilities converting into centers for elderly recreation and education. Manoj analyses this on Money Talks.

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The 1991 Project: India's Reform Journey Revisited - Anupam Manur
The 1991 Project: India's Reform Journey Revisited - Anupam Manur

The 1991 Project sat down with some of India's most eminent thinkers and practitioners to talk about the reforms that were missed in the pivotal year of 1991, and explore their insights on the crucial reforms India needs today. Stay on to hear what Anupam Manur, Assistant Professor, Takshashila Institution, had to say.

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Russian bear hug and US rap: Should India shed its strategic ambivalence?
Russian bear hug and US rap: Should India shed its strategic ambivalence?

Vladimir Putin could not have had better optics than this. While NATO allies US, Germany, Netherlands, and Romania announced they were sending Patriot missiles and batteries to Ukraine and a host of other countries like Norway and Spain and the United Kingdom said they were readying to provide munitions to fight off Russia, here was our Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharing a bear hug with the Russian President. The timing was questionable. Why hold a India-Russia summit in Moscow as NATO leaders gathered in Washington to mark the transatlantic alliance’s 75th anniversary? Why didn’t India wait for the BRICS summit in Kazan in October? Which would have made it far less personal. Anushka Saxena analyses.

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Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena on StratNewsGlobal Roundtable
Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena on StratNewsGlobal Roundtable

Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena, Research Analysts with Takshashila’s Indo-Pacific Studies Programme, appeared on StratNewsGlobal Roundtable, analysing China’s politics, economy and military.

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Meet the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme Team

Featured
Amit Kumar
Amit Kumar

Amit Kumar is a Staff Research Analyst with the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme at the Takshashila Institution. His research interests include China’s domestic policy and China’s Foreign policy, India-China relations. His long-term project at the Takshashila focuses on the Chinese economy and India-China trade relations.

Anushka Saxena
Anushka Saxena

Anushka Saxena is a Staff Research Analyst with Takshashila’s Indo-Pacific Studies Programme. Her research focuses on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and its reforms, China-Taiwan Relations, and India’s Foreign Policy. She also curates the weekly Newsletter, ‘Eye on China’. She tweets @SaxenaAnushka_.

Manoj Kewalramani
Manoj Kewalramani

Manoj Kewalramani is a Fellow-China Studies at The Takshashila Institution. His research focuses on Chinese politics, foreign policy and approaches to new technologies.

Rakshith Shetty
Rakshith Shetty

Rakshith Shetty is a Research Analyst with the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme at the Takshashila Institution. His long-term project at Takshashila is working on China's Domestic Policies on Green Energy Capacities and Technologies, with a particular emphasis on their implications for India. His research interests span across Chinese politics, green technology, and the intricate dynamics of India-China relations.