Science Technology & Security Forum

Himalayan Watch

Perspectives and Imperatives of India-China Border Disputes – Part 3 of 4

The revelations of Edward Snowden have opened up the case of snooping and the vulnerability of India in the realm of cyber security. According to reports, in 2013 India stood at fifth place in terms of cyber attacks; it was one of the most actively targeted in Asia by the US National Security Agency (NSA) that amassed 13.5 billion bits of information and 6.2 billion bits of metadata (Saxena, 2013). According to experts, the entire account of an individual’s professional and personal life can be assembled by analysing metadata.

Himalayan Watch

Perspectives and Imperatives of India-China Border Disputes – Part 2 of 4

In between headlines of a BRICS bank and other successes at Fortaleza, Brazil in July 2014, there was another aspect to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech that had special relevance to cyber analysts. Addressing the conference, he said, “…while cyber space is a source of great opportunity, cyber security has become a major concern. BRICS countries, should take the lead in preserving Cyber Space, as a global common good. I am happy we are cooperating on this through our National Security Advisors.”

Himalayan Watch

Perspectives and Imperatives of India-China Border Disputes – Part 1 of 4

'Security'implies the state of being free from danger. Therefore, national security should mean that the nation state is free from any danger or threat. However, the state is not only the physical manifestation of land borders, but comprises of its people, for whom the state exists. Hence security of the society, groups and individuals from both military and non-military threats is paramount.

Opinion

Changing Face of Privacy in India: An Analysis

One of the successful manoeuvres China undertook (from the late 1970s and 1980s) for a seat at the global high table was the “polar” international structure. In the 1980s China projected a tri-polar power balance with the USA and the Soviet Union as the strong poles and China as the third pole weak but growing. This was the theory necessitated the two powers to strengthen China to maintain global stability.

 

Opinion

Achieving Human Well-Being – A Control System Framework

By 2010 China felt that it was strong enough to establish its own “Monroe Doctrine”. But it wanted in a manner, US blessings. A senior Chinese official indicated off the table to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Washington accept the South China Sea as China’s “core interest” that is, South China Sea was Chinese sovereign territory, and China would accept USA’s domination elsewhere. Clinton declined the proposal.

Opinion

The New Cold War and India – Part 3 of 4

In the past few years, resentment has been rising over the emerging Chinese hydro power projects in Tibet among India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and many other countries that share rivers originating in Tibet. Due to fears of potential water and energy stress/scarcity within China, these projects are critical to its economic development in the coming decades.

Opinion

The New Cold War and India – Part 2 of 4

Natural resources are one of the primary determinants of any nation’s development. And the need for uninterrupted access to these resources has led to increasing competition among nation states. The present tug of war for resources in the Himalayan region is the most recent example of this. The Himalayan fresh water reserves are highly crucial for the sustenance of the region. The Himalayas is the source for the Indus, Ganga, Yarlung, Yangtze, Yellow, Mekong, and Nuijang rivers.

Opinion

The New Cold War and India – Part 1 of 4

The bilateral relationship between states is one of the most important aspects in International Relations. Relations between India and China have geared up since the last few years. To continue the improved relations, it is of pivotal importance for China to prioritize engaging with the changing leaderships in India.