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Dhruva Jaishankar

Articles by Dhruva Jaishankar

All the President’s men and women

The incoming US national security and foreign policy team looks, on paper, to be one of the most experienced in history. How it translates into outcomes is to be seen

The incoming Joe Biden administration will avoid many of the personality-related pitfalls of its predecessor, and the presence of a core group of advisers in key security agencies suggests that coordination may be better than the first Obama term (REUTERS)

opinion

Published on Jan 15, 2021 07:02 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

India and the US should have a dialogue on democracy

There are areas of convergence, and India’s record is often under-appreciated. But talk about differences too in the nature of the two democracies

A Biden administration could adopt a narrow approach to global democratic cooperation, confined to a small number of western countries and advanced Asian economies. But pursuing a grander agenda will require a deeper dialogue with India(REUTERS)

columns

Updated on Dec 18, 2020 08:55 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

Trump may go, but Trumpism is here to stay, writes Dhruva Jaishankar

A wariness of international trading agreements, overseas military commitments, and immigration regimes will persist in US positions

In the eyes of his electoral base, Trump delivered on his promises, such as on stemming immigration, cutting taxes, and nominating conservative Supreme Court justices.(Bloomberg)

analysis

Updated on Nov 06, 2020 10:13 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

Charting the future of India-US ties | Opinion

The relationship is more robust than ever before. But deepening ties will bring its set of challenges

Across spheres — defence, new tech, economy and development — India and the US have a conceptual overlap. But the next stage will not be easy(Mohd Zakir/HT PHOTO)

columns

Updated on Oct 15, 2020 08:15 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

Biden will stay the course with India

He will deepen the partnership. Domestic Indian issues are unlikely to derail bilateral ties

Biden wants greater two-way trade, cooperation on health and climate crisis, and better immigration policies(AFP)

analysis

Updated on Aug 26, 2020 11:20 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

How India can act as a global bridge

It has an opportunity, with the expansion of G7, to be a part of both the global south and global west

US President Donald Trump with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Biarritz, France, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria(REUTERS)

columns

Updated on Jul 20, 2020 10:31 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

In India’s China policy, a mix of three approaches | Opinion

Countries are relying on internal strength, engagement with Beijing and external balancing. Prioritise wisely

The period between the global financial crisis of 2008 and the Chumar stand-off during Xi Jinping’s India visit in 2014 witnessed the most sustained engagement in recent years(AP)

columns

Updated on Jun 12, 2020 06:28 AM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

What does the US-China rift mean for the world? | Opinion

The international system may not revert to Cold War era blocs. But some tough choices lie ahead for countries

The new arena of competition between the US and China is over the 5G telecommunication contracts(REUTERS)

columns

Updated on May 10, 2020 08:18 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

A global pandemic and globalisation

From re-nationalisation of manufacturing to more restricted flow of people, prepare for a new world

Globalisation suffered a setback with the 2008 financial crisis. The omnipresence of Covid-19 makes it a bigger challenge(Ajay Aggarwal/HT PHOTO)

analysis

Updated on Apr 08, 2020 06:56 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

The resilience of India-US relations| Analysis

Differences remain, but the gains on the positives and negatives of the ledger can be built upon

Finalising a trade agreement that ends the application of further tariffs and open-ended commercial disputes will be a priority(Mohd Zakir/HT PHOTO)

analysis

Updated on Feb 26, 2020 05:56 AM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

The political context of Donald Trump’s India visit

Ahead of polls, he will seek to leverage the trip for political ends. India should stay focused on the wider agenda

The White House has yet to confirm Trump’s expected visit this month, although preparations have begun in earnest. The US is seeking to conclude a modest bilateral deal with India that will bring an end to almost three years of trade hostilities(REUTERS)

analysis

Updated on Feb 18, 2020 07:05 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

India-Australia ties have evolved. Build on them now

Deeper people-to-people and economic ties and shared strategic concerns are driving the cooperation

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Sarsfield, Victoria, Australia, January 3, 2020(REUTERS)

analysis

Updated on Jan 13, 2020 11:44 AM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

Geopolitics is shifting. India must be prepared

China’s rise and the US ambivalence have unsettled old equations. The other powers are exploring their options

The world is changing. What does all this mean for New Delhi? Smugness or complacency would be the wrong response. Rather, continued efforts at looking beyond immediate horizons will be required to anticipate further changes to the global strategic landscape.(Amal KS/HT PHOTO)

columns

Published on Dec 17, 2019 06:17 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

Will Trump’s foreign policy outlive his term? | Opinion

His imprint on trade, security and Asia policy will last. His influence on immigration, climate change may not

Three features of the trump doctrine can be identified. The first is scepticism of multilateralism. The second is focusing on adversarial relations. And the third is resetting the terms of economic engagement(AP)

analysis

Updated on Nov 12, 2019 06:24 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

On climate, connectivity, maritime security, India is reshaping the world order

Delhi’s positions on these issues reflect its world view. But domestic economic and political challenges remain

A much stronger case can be made in favour of New Delhi supporting a post-1991 international order. India was arguably one of the top beneficiaries (along with China and the US) of the post-Cold War system, which coincided with India’s initial economic liberalisation. Indian opportunities for growth and development widened and its security increased(Raj K Raj/ Hindustan Times)

analysis

Published on Oct 03, 2019 06:08 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

The saga of India’s indigenous defence production

India is dependent on imports due to skewed incentives among key stakeholders and lack of policy predictability

The demands of the government - high levels of technology at low-cost in short time-frames - are impossible for any supplier to deliver(PTI)

analysis

Published on Aug 29, 2019 07:44 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

India has much goodwill in Afghanistan but that may not be enough

As security deteriorates, politics becomes more unstable, and external actors alter their approaches, some creative ways to secure Indian interests in Afghanistan will have to be contemplated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, 2017.(Mohd Zakir/HT PHOTO)

analysis

Updated on Feb 15, 2019 07:31 AM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

As China courts central and eastern Europe, whither India?

The main obstacle, other than scale, is the lack of exposure and knowledge about opportunities in each other’s countries among business communities in India and the CEE states. Greater political engagement can help to rectify some of that.

The Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic. President Kovind is on a visit to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. The central and eastern Europe (CEE), long seen as an area of competing Russian and western interests, has not always featured prominently in India’s foreign policy agenda.(shutterstok.com)

analysis

Updated on Sep 06, 2018 12:48 AM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar and Yamini Sharma

It’s time India got real about its ties with Russia

There is little indication that Putin views India in sentimental terms, unlike an earlier generation of Russian officials exemplified by Yevgeny Primakov or Alexander Kadakin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting in the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, May 21(AP)

analysis

Updated on Jul 27, 2018 05:58 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

India and the Indo-Pacific balance at Shangri-La

It was not lost on many observers that Modi’s language closely mirrored that used by the US and Japan. His veiled message was directed at China, and reflected a more widespread concern about how Beijing is wielding its economic and military muscle

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers the keynote address at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Singapore, June 1, 2018(AFP/PIB)

opinion

Updated on Jun 05, 2018 03:32 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

To be a great power, India’s political weaknesses need to be redressed

On the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index, the country features fourth on overall economic resources, military capabilities, and diplomatic influence, and third in cultural influence

Armed Force personnel stage a demo at DefExpo 2018, a biennial exhibition of weapons and military hardware on the outskirts of Chennai. India clearly benefits from having a large military force, conventional military capabilities, and nuclear and strategic missile programmes(PTI)

analysis

Updated on May 18, 2018 06:59 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

India-Nordic Summit: Rethink the priorities we accord the five Scandinavian countries

If one were genuinely interested in finding ways to balance social welfare with market reforms, improve governance at the local level, and increase entrepreneurship, focus on these small northern European nations

Adults and children play with Lego bricks during the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Lego brick, at Lego House in Billund, Denmark, January 28, 2018. The Nordic nations are home to enterprising companies engaged in both old (Statoil, Ikea, Maersk, Lego, Volvo) and new (Nokia, Telenor, Spotify) industries(REUTERS)

opinion

Published on Apr 16, 2018 12:18 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

Why 2017 idea of the year is the ‘Indo-Pacific’

Although the “Indo-” in Indo-Pacific refers to the Indian Ocean and not India, it is impossible to think about the Indo-Pacific without considering the role of India. Given its central location, its status as the largest economy, its long coastline, and its blue water naval capabilities, India is the geopolitical keystone of the Indian Ocean

This year, the idea --- ‘Indo-Pacific’ --- ‘picked up steam, especially in official circles. Its origins can be traced to a speech delivered in August 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Indian Parliament(AFP)

analysis

Updated on Dec 29, 2017 10:43 AM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

Tillerson’s visit opens a window of opportunity that India must seize

India and the United States have a clear congruence of interests when it comes to China’s rise and assertiveness, an open and secure Indian Ocean, a stable and democratic Afghanistan, and global counter-terrorism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US secretary of state Rex Tillerson, New Delhi, India, October 25(Reuters)

opinion

Published on Oct 27, 2017 06:46 PM IST

ByDhruva Jaishankar

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Dhruva Jaishankar

The incoming US national security and foreign policy team looks, on paper, to be one of the most experienced in history. How it translates into outcomes is to be seen

There are areas of convergence, and India’s record is often under-appreciated. But talk about differences too in the nature of the two democracies

A wariness of international trading agreements, overseas military commitments, and immigration regimes will persist in US positions

The relationship is more robust than ever before. But deepening ties will bring its set of challenges

He will deepen the partnership. Domestic Indian issues are unlikely to derail bilateral ties

It has an opportunity, with the expansion of G7, to be a part of both the global south and global west

Countries are relying on internal strength, engagement with Beijing and external balancing. Prioritise wisely

The international system may not revert to Cold War era blocs. But some tough choices lie ahead for countries

From re-nationalisation of manufacturing to more restricted flow of people, prepare for a new world

Differences remain, but the gains on the positives and negatives of the ledger can be built upon

Ahead of polls, he will seek to leverage the trip for political ends. India should stay focused on the wider agenda

Deeper people-to-people and economic ties and shared strategic concerns are driving the cooperation

China’s rise and the US ambivalence have unsettled old equations. The other powers are exploring their options

His imprint on trade, security and Asia policy will last. His influence on immigration, climate change may not

Delhi’s positions on these issues reflect its world view. But domestic economic and political challenges remain

India is dependent on imports due to skewed incentives among key stakeholders and lack of policy predictability

As security deteriorates, politics becomes more unstable, and external actors alter their approaches, some creative ways to secure Indian interests in Afghanistan will have to be contemplated.

The main obstacle, other than scale, is the lack of exposure and knowledge about opportunities in each other’s countries among business communities in India and the CEE states. Greater political engagement can help to rectify some of that.

There is little indication that Putin views India in sentimental terms, unlike an earlier generation of Russian officials exemplified by Yevgeny Primakov or Alexander Kadakin.

It was not lost on many observers that Modi’s language closely mirrored that used by the US and Japan. His veiled message was directed at China, and reflected a more widespread concern about how Beijing is wielding its economic and military muscle

On the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index, the country features fourth on overall economic resources, military capabilities, and diplomatic influence, and third in cultural influence

If one were genuinely interested in finding ways to balance social welfare with market reforms, improve governance at the local level, and increase entrepreneurship, focus on these small northern European nations

India and the United States have a clear congruence of interests when it comes to China’s rise and assertiveness, an open and secure Indian Ocean, a stable and democratic Afghanistan, and global counter-terrorism

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