Sanjaya Baru
The writer is Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, New Delhi.
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More From Sanjaya Baru
The challenge for Middle Powers like India, France and Germany
Sanjaya Baru writes: Even as Europe worries about Russia, and India worries about China, it is not clear what the two can do for each other, despite all the talk about partnership
Fri, May 06, 2022
How PV Narasimha Rao, India’s first ‘accidental’ prime minister, earned his place in history
Sanjaya Baru writes: As the head of a minority government, he knew he had to take others along to be able to deliver on policy
Mon, Jun 28, 2021
What’s going wrong with India’s Act East policy?
Indian diplomacy must take a fresh look at its Southeast Asia policy and the constraints being imposed on it by unsatisfactory economic performance and sectarian and communal politics at home.
Wed, May 26, 2021
Didn’t tolerate fudge; pro, anti, in between, Sunil Jain said it like it is
A Master’s in economics from the Delhi School of Economics, Sunil began his media career at India Today after a brief tenure at FICCI where he worked on export policy.
Sun, May 16, 2021
Indian ‘atmanirbharta’ in space and pharmaceuticals is an exception. It must be the norm
Once a knowledge economy role model for other developing nations, India lost its leading position due to flight of homegrown talent and stiff competition from China
Wed, Mar 03, 2021
World wants India to do well. But compulsions of domestic politics are leading to revival of Cold War bogey
The foreign hand keeps making its appearance every now and then in domestic political discourse, sometimes with good reason but often due to the travails of national leaders.
Tue, Feb 09, 2021
PM Modi quoting Gurajada to reach out to people during covid vaccine rollout is a hopeful gesture
If it encourages his so-called bhakts and the more rabid members of the Sangh Parivar to read the likes of a Gurajada and appreciate their modernising, humanising patriotism and socially progressive views then Modi would have greatly contributed to the cause of national unity.
Tue, Jan 19, 2021
Overseas Indians cheer government’s agenda for India’s atmanirbharta, without investing in it
There is now an emerging category of Indians migrating out and opting to stay out of India because they feel their motherland no longer wants them. This sense of alienation, especially among minorities, is a disturbing trend.
Wed, Dec 30, 2020
To remain leader of ‘free world’, America must demonstrate commitment to values of its own Constitution
Countries that turn to the US today, like India, seeking help to check a hegemonic China do so out of compulsion, not choice. Trump’s transactionalism abroad and racism at home have robbed the US of a higher moral purpose in its global role.
Thu, Nov 05, 2020
58 years later, India-China relationship has changed. Inequality has grown
To regain global stature, India has to continue to focus on its domestic economic capability and human capital. There are no short cuts to global power and influence.
Wed, Oct 21, 2020
Destroying Bollywood’s credibility for partisan-political purposes harms national interest
While cleaning Bollywood of black money and bad influence is a worthy endeavour, the pursuit of political agendas that stifle free expression in the name of nationalism and puritanism, can rob popular culture of its soft power.
Tue, Sep 29, 2020
Why must India get worked up about declining opportunities for cash, brain drain?
Sanjaya Baru writes: It would be interesting to see how many of those who attended Modi's rallies abroad have decided to return home to contribute to India's “atmanirbharata”. Rather, the number of Indians seeking blessings of the Visa God is only increasing by the year, and the non-resident Indian is becoming the not-returning Indian.
Fri, Jul 17, 2020
Former NSA Bolton’s book raises questions about US commitment to India’s national security
India’s priorities and national security concerns have not changed in these past two decades. The elements that shaped the US-India relationship in the first decade of this century remain the defining ones even today.
Mon, Jun 29, 2020
G-12 must include respect for human rights, adherence to international law, multilateralism in trade and security
Sanjaya Baru writes: President Trump is not doing India a favour by wanting to invite it into the new group. As the world's largest free market democracy India deserves to be a member of not just a G-12 but of even a new G-7.
Fri, Jun 05, 2020
It’s not trade dependence that makes India vulnerable but inadequacy of its human capital
For India to be truly self-reliant and self-confident, public investment in education, human capability and research and development has to increase.
Thu, May 14, 2020
Management of lockdown, its aftermath, will shape balance of power between Centre and states
The return of big government and the prospect of a potentially larger role for the state in the economy raises the question, certainly in India, of what it would mean for Centre-state relations, and for national and provincial politics.
Tue, Apr 21, 2020
No, Coronavirus crisis is no turning point for globalisation
In the short term, there will be flight to safety of people worried about a pandemic, as there is of capital during a financial crisis. When normalcy returns, the globalised Indian will fly away once again.
Wed, Mar 25, 2020
Trump’s visit comes when mutually beneficial framework of bilateral relationship stands disrupted
To hide the lack of substance in the relationship the Trump visit will focus on hype and Prime Minister Modi has perfected the art of diplomacy as mass entertainment
Mon, Feb 17, 2020
We are moving to an era of unpredictability. A new Middle Powers coalition may be needed
There is a view among some policy analysts at home that India too can adopt a “disruptive” approach as a clever tactic in foreign affairs. This is an illusion. Disruption is not an end in itself. It has to be a means to an end. Powerful nations can afford disruption as tactics.
Tue, Jan 14, 2020
Crouching Tigers, Hidden Dragons
An analytical inquiry into the development experience of some of Asia’s major economies and why there might be ground for optimism
Sun, Dec 22, 2019
Mr Bajaj speaks again: In 1993, he voiced business’s ‘concerns’, today he voices its ‘fears’
In 1993, the then finance minister, Manmohan Singh, was publicly dismissive of the concern Bajaj and friends articulated about the threat to domestic business from external economic liberalisation.
Wed, Dec 04, 2019
Recent events are beginning to challenge the narrative of a Rising India
Rising India narrative is suffering due to re-hyphenation with Pakistan, slowing growth, retreat from RCEP, Trumpism.
Fri, Nov 15, 2019
How to make friends: Delhi needs to invest in systematic and sustained outreach to opinion-makers
What is not recognised is that it is the business of media to reach out to anyone who wishes to seek them out. Lend an ear, but be professional in what and how you report.
Wed, Oct 23, 2019
Mahabalipuram dialogue was part of a striving for more balanced India-China ties
Given Xi’s 100-year perspective, both countries have to learn to live with year-to-year bumps while journeying together towards a new Asian Century.
Mon, Oct 14, 2019
Asian cats, Western monkeys
Across Asia, focus is turning to multiple geopolitical quarrels. Western powers are back in play, arbitrating.
Tue, Aug 27, 2019