C. Raja Mohan
C. Raja Mohan is Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, and the consulting editor on foreign affairs for ‘The Indian Express’. Before his association with The Indian Express began in 2004, Raja Mohan worked for The Hindu as its Washington correspondent and Strategic Affairs Editor. He was a distinguished fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. In his academic avatar, Raja Mohan has been professor of South Asian Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. As a think tanker, he worked at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi. He is on the editorial board of various international affairs journals and is affiliated with the Institute of South Asian Studies, Singapore; the Lowy Institute, Sydney; and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington DC. He is the author, most recently, of Samudra Manthan: Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific.
Articles By C. Raja Mohan
Routine meetings between leaders will liberate the Subcontinent from formalism of summits
Rather than pray for the success of SAARC, the new government in Delhi should double down on informal diplomacy that could help pave the way for more purposeful regional cooperation — both bilateral and multilateral.
Raja-Mandala: If breaking with China is hard for America, making up with Russia might be harder
Whether Trump cuts a deal or escalates the economic war with China, Delhi can’t continue with its trade policy lassitude. On the other hand, the rejigging of the political relations between America, China and Russia might present Delhi with fleeting strategic opportunities that need to be seized quickly.
As Beijing races ahead in quest for a military footprint, Delhi has some catching up to do
That China and India compete for foreign military bases is not merely an extension of their very familiar rivalry but a definitive moment in their overall political evolution as modern states.
India will need pragmatism, diplomatic skill in shaping new rules for regulation of outer space
India now needs to prepare for an outer space that might become an active military theatre. Above all it needs collaboration with allies and partners in outer space.
Afghan peace: US, Russia and China on the same page?
In a joint statement issued after the consultations America, Russia and China outlined agreement on a set of broad parameters for promoting peace in Afghanistan.
Raja Mandala: A silk road for the heavens
Even as it shuns the BRI, India is recognising that the corridors spreading out from China have connectivity in space and digital domain.
Under Modi, India has shed its traditional defensiveness towards the Middle East
The key to Modi’s success in the Muslim neighbourhood has been the decision to focus on India’s national self-interest rather than religion.
Manifestos of BJP, Congress indicate that when it comes to foreign policy, ambiguity is better than clarity
The problem is not the lack of big ideas within our political class. Few parties believe foreign policy is of any importance in winning elections.
Instead of only praising scientists, Opposition must debate policy challenges
Before India’s political scene got so intensely polarised, there was a time when the Opposition celebrated the government’s national security achievements. Offering formal praise for scientists becomes an excuse to duck some real questions.
India needs a measure of political consensus on regional policies
If the political classes choose to turn every problem in the neighbourhood into a domestic contestation, Delhi’s adversaries will continue to gain ground in India’s neighbourhood.
Political parties should pay attention to cyber security of their campaigns
The unprecedented speed of online communication, the relative ease of spreading misinformation and the growing sophistication of fake news has helped constitute a new global cyber landscape that few could have imagined a decade ago.
Will foreign policy, national security issues play a decisive role in 2019 general elections?
The election is a good opportunity for the BJP and Congress to debate the changing international situation, India’s response.
Raja Mandala: The Gulf as a channel of peace
As West Asia develops strong economic bonds with India, it could become Delhi’s ally in nudging Islamabad towards political moderation
Explained: How Balakot changed the familiar script of India-Pakistan military crises
In every military crisis from 1987 onwards, India trod with caution while Pakistan seemed to revel in the opposite. India’s newest response signals it is prepared to counter the myth of Pak’s ‘nuclear impunity’
OIC invitation to India is an opportunity to expand relationships in Muslim world
Swaraj’s participation in the Abu Dhabi ministerial must be viewed as a diplomatic opening for a sustained and long-term political engagement of the Islamic world as a collective.
Raja Mandala: Hope in Hanoi
This week’s US-North Korea summit could be about Trump, Kim and Moon imagining a political rearrangement of the Korean Peninsula.
Raja Mandala: Nationalism comes to Saudi Arabia
Prince Salman’s downplaying of pan-Islamism offers New Delhi an opportunity to forge a strategic partnership with Riyadh.
India’s solidarity with Prince Salman’s reform agenda back home is important
Prince Salman has often proclaimed his commitment to reverse the hugely negative consequences of 1979. Delhi has every reason to strongly support Prince Salman. After all, India continues to suffer these consequences.
Raja Mandala: A dialogue, an opportunity
US commerce secretary’s visit could be an occasion for Delhi and Washington to heed the lessons of the past, ease trade tensions .
Raja Mandala: Secularism comes to Arabia?
Pope Francis’s visit to UAE, the first by a pontiff to the region, could signal the beginning of separation of religion and state in the Middle East.
