Jagannath P. Panda

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's Policy Paper ‘Between AUKUS and the Quad: Scaling European Interest in the Indo-Pacific’ has been published at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies on 15 February 2022.

The paper discusses how the AUKUS agreement has had a significant impact on two structures: the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) – comprising the US, Australia, India, and Japan – and the EU. Further, the paper covers, as the EU seeks to build its role in the Indo-Pacific, a crucial question remains: how the EU can navigate between the Quad and AUKUS to forward its own objectives in the region?

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• Published: 15 February, 2022

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘Why Tokyo Needs a Renewed Outreach in the Nordic Region’ has been published in Japan Forward on 15 February 2022.

The piece argues that Japan has long been a valuable but distant friend for the Nordic-Scandinavian countries. What are the key pillars, and moving forward, what are the key potential areas for heightened Japan-Nordic cooperation, particularly in the connectivity and sustainable energy domains?

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• Published: 15 February, 2022

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘What is at Stake in China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiations?’ has been published in China Brief at the Jamestown Foundation, Washington DC on 11 February 2022.

The article argues that the China-Bhutan MoU will have significant implications for the China–India boundary issues particularly considering the ongoing stalemate between the two over the LAC deadlock in the western sector, and China’s continuation of assertive tactics. In order for India to respond to China's strategic play in the Himalayas, it will be important for New Delhi to carefully recalibrate its policy toward Bhutan. Will the China-India boundary talks face potential repercussions if the China-Bhutan talks have a positive outcome? The answer will depend both on India’s diplomatic approach to ties with Bhutan and its ability to limit China’s attempts to reshape the regional status quo.

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• Published: 11 February, 2022

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘Arunachal Pradesh in Beijing's Security Calculus: Watching the Eastern Sector of the Sino-Indian Border’ has been published in South Asian Voices of the Stimson Center, Washington DC, on 27 January, 2022.

The piece argues that Arunachal Pradesh is quickly becoming the new focal point of confrontation in India-China border tensions. China’s outlook on the eastern sector is likely to be shaped by three variables: the continued stand-off in Ladakh, the new LBL, and Xi’s bid to cement his legacy in China’s history with a third term in office. As these factors push Beijing to further its quest for territorial expansion, the Tibet question—that has long shaped India-China ties—is bound to take center-stage.

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• Published: 27 January, 2022

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘Is 'AUKUS' a Viable Option?’ has been published in The Diplomat on January 26, 2022.

The article argues that in an increasingly complex multipolar world order, an insulated and restricted alliance has its limitations; a more inclusive forum within AUKUS’ minilateral setting can therefore be imperative to overcome obstacles and have a greater impact. What would an augmented AUKUS encompass? Does inclusivity necessarily imply a formal expansion, or, can the pact allow for a more abstract “Plus” network among “like-minded” Indo-Pacific partners without resorting to an expanded partnership? And what would be the scope of a potential Plus framework?

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• Published: 26 January, 2022

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘What Global Gateway Means for ASEAN-EU Cooperation’ has been published in The National Interest on 22 January 2022. He article is Part-IV of the Four- Part Series on the EU's Global Gateway Strategy.

The article argues, although ASEAN is not a monolithic group or bound by a single landmass (like the EU), but rather a culturally, politically, and economically diverse set of nations, both blocs have shared values of multilateralism, a rules-based order, and free trade. Both share a strategic partnership carried through regular dialogue and broad-based security and economic cooperation. Thus, the EU views ASEAN as a like-minded and essential partner in the Indo-Pacific region, and in its Global Gateway strategy.

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• Published: 22 January, 2022

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘Japan is Vital to Europe's Global Gateway’ has been published by The National Interest on 20 January 2022. The article is Part-III of the four-part series on EU's Global Gateway Strategy. 

The article examines two specific questions: Can Europe partner with Japan to ensure the success of its latest strategy in the Indo-Pacific despite the long-standing U.S.-Japan alliance—especially considering the EU’s search for strategic autonomy? And, why should Tokyo itself focus on such a partnership?

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• Published: 20 January, 2022

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's Asia's Next Page column ‘Consolidating Japan's Economic Diplomacy with the European Union’ has been published in Japan Forward on January 17, 2022.

The column argues Prime Minister Kishida’s pursuit of “economic sustainability by giving rise to a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution” will be incomplete without building Japan’s multilateral economic diplomacy with the European Union, India, Australia, and the United States. Japan’s EPA with the EU is an ideal first step in consolidating their partnership, and continued focus on strengthening bilateral economic and security ties will help both actors achieve their respective objectives and vision for the Indo-Pacific region.

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• Published: 17 January, 2022

Research Fellow, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘India Could Make or Break EU's Global Gateway’ has been published in ‘The National Interest’ on January 16, 2022. This is the Part-II of a four part series on the EU's Global Gateway Strategy. Part-I was about 'EU's Global Gateway and China's BRI'.

The article (part-II) argues that India’s growing conflict with China, its strategic evolution, and its eagerness to expand its outreach to Europe, along with the EU’s intent to reduce its reliance on Chinese manufacturing and supply chains and to pursue strategic autonomy, have created the right conditions for a new mutually beneficial policy regime.

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• Published: 16 January, 2022

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘Can Europe's Global Gateway Offset China's Belt and Road?’ has been published in The National Interest on January 13, 2022. The article is 1st part of a four- part series on the EU's Global Gateway Strategy, factoring China, India, Japan and ASEAN.

It argues that the Global Gateway presents a historic opportunity for the EU to revisit its China policy in accordance with its newly-released Indo-Pacific strategy. Keeping in view its long-term strategic interests, the EU’s new infrastructure strategy is well-poised to find success in multipolarity driven by the various members’ own individual outlooks. It should seek to effectively coordinate with existing initiatives like the EPQI, B3W, and BDN in order not to be counterproductive. This will help build a broader umbrella of rules-based, democratic states partnering to promote value-based infrastructure in Asia and beyond.

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• Published: 13 January, 2022