Europe and Eurasia

About Centre

IDSA’s Europe and Eurasia Centre conducts its research both topically and regionally, focusing on the key strategic importance of Europe and the Eurasian region – covering Russia and the former Soviet Republics – to India’s security and foreign policy. While the European continent itself is no longer a major source of threats to India, European involvement and outreach on the global and regional arenas demand active attention to the security and defence policies of European countries and the efforts of major multilateral institutions such as NATO and EU. The Centre continues to host visiting European policy makers, academics, military personnel, diplomats and political leaders for conferences, seminars, lectures, workshops, and informal briefings.

In addition, the Centre focuses on the security and foreign policies of Russia as well as of the post-Soviet republics. India continues to depend on Russian defence supplies and benefits from Russian cooperation in the fields of hydrocarbon and nuclear energy. In the past, India and the erstwhile Soviet Union had invested heavily in a strategic relationship. That continues to be an important goal in official pronouncements. Russia is still politically, diplomatically and militarily important for India.

The Centre has published several books, reports, articles and policy papers on a wide variety of issues in the region. It has been conducting a series of security dialogues with the countries of the region at the bilateral and multilateral levels. The Centre also focuses on security and strategic issues in Central Asia that impact on India. Attention is also directed towards the energy security and economic linkages between India and Central Asian States.

ISRO’s French Connection

Sarkozy’s speech at ISRO was an interesting mix of issues relating to geostrategic significance, business, and collaboration in science and technology.

Ajey Lele
December 07, 2010
IDSA Comments

NATO-Russia relations: a new beginning?

A summit meeting of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) took place in Lisbon on 19 November 2010.

Arvind Gupta
November 30, 2010
IDSA Comments

Deauville Summit

The Deauville summit gave the leaders of France, Germany and Russia an opportunity to co-ordinate their positions on many issues.

Amrita Shukla
November 29, 2010
IDSA Comments

Skolkovo Initiative: Russia’s Drive Towards Modernization

The Skolkova initiative is part of Russia’s attempt to develop a robust national innovation system and a knowledge based economy.

Rajorshi Roy
November 26, 2010
IDSA Comments

Less Brussels, more La Manche*? The Case of Anglo-French Defence Co-operation

The question is not whether bilateral co-operation among member-states is a substitute for common European defence.

Kalyani Unkule
November 25, 2010
IDSA Comments

Britain’s Strategic Defence and Security Review

The review shows a remarkable shift in the strategic thinking of UK from that of the Cold War frame to a more independent contemporary assessment with a focus on non-conventional threats.

Russia-NATO summit: a new era or a false dawn?

The much awaited NATO Russian Summit meeting is taking place on November 19-20, 2010 in Lisbon. Will it signify a major thaw in East-West relations, or will existing differences thwart a major rapprochement between the United States, Europe and Russia which could herald a new era in international relations.

Arvind Gupta
November 08, 2010
IDSA Comments

Russia and Japan Clash over the Kuriles in the North Pacific

The clash between Russia and Japan over the Southern Kurils in the North Pacific highlight Russia’s emerging role in the Asia Pacific Region and its relations with China and Japan.

The Sochi Summit: Fresh Moves on The Grand Eurasian Chessboard

At their second Summit in Sochi on August 18, 2010, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan agreed to reinforce their cooperation. The United States has supported the Russian initiative due to its own compulsions and the China factor. India needs to pursue a well considered “Eurasian Heartland” policy in the context of these developments.