Jagannath P. Panda

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's Issue Brief ‘Japan-UK: "Progressive" Ties and A Case for Britain in the CPTPP’ has been published by the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), Sweden, on April 13, 2021.

The brief argues that the UK’s entry into the landmark CPTPP agreement, led by Japan, could be a breakthrough in advancing Britain’s global ambitions as an independent trading nation and encourage a stronger cross-continental collaboration. It would not only act as a gateway for the UK to become an active player in the Indo-Pacific, but also substantiate the global overture of Japan-UK ties and strengthen their collaboration in the face of shared challenges. It can, in other words, help transform an already strong Japan-UK relationship into a global partnership.

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• Published: 13 April, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘Japan-Indonesia 2+2: Taking Forward the Indo-Pacific Calculus’ has been published in Japan Forward.

The piece argues that the 2+2 meeting between Japan and Indonesia is a step in progress to solidify the bilateral ties further, and this ministerial meeting confirmed their commitment to regional security in the face of China’s new coast guard law, which essentially equips China with extraterritorial powers to further threaten its neighbors.

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• Published: 5 April, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘BRI in Sri Lanka- More Than China's Symbiotic Adventure’ has been published in the April 2021 issue of the Wedge Magazine (Japan).

The article mainly argues that while “debt-trap” diplomacy of BRI is a legitimate concern –its effects seen most ardently in the Hambantota case –Sri Lanka is not in a complete Chinese debt-trap yet – its obligation to China adds up to around 6 percent of its GDP. Nonetheless, Sri Lanka’s high debt levels show that the country needs to improve its debt management frameworks. With BRI projects being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic –the Colombo Port City project has especially faced multiple pandemic-induced problems –the time is ripe for Sri Lanka to strengthen its debt management abilities and implement such a strategy in future dealings with BRI.

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• Published: 1 April, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘Beijing Speaks on the Proposed Group of Seven Expansion’ has been published in China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Vol.21, Issue 6, 2021.

The article argues that an expansion of the G7 to include India, Australia and South Korea is not in China’s economic or security interests—particularly given Beijing’s continued exclusion. Beijing’s escalating rhetoric shows that it is preparing for a more proactively anti-China alliance-driven political environment, as reflected in an expanded G7 which overtly excludes China. As Beijing attempts to maintain and expand its regional spheres of influence, it will seek to keep the U.S. (and the West at large) away from its backyard. Should the G7 expansion become a reality, Beijing would be faced with a widespread anti-China economic grouping.

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• Published: 25 March, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘The Quad Moves on Critical Technologies’ has been published in ‘Japan Forward’, on March 19, 2021.

The piece argues that the Quad Critical and Emerging Technologies Working Group marks a critical advance in the Quad’s evolution. With substantive cooperation between the four constituent countries, the Quad can witness true progress in the high-tech domain. Ultimately, the aim must be to create a digital Indo-Pacific with strong institutions and a digital architecture that is free, transparent, inclusive and democratic, therefore being reflective of liberal norms.

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• Published: 19 March, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘China and the Quad: How Beijing is Responding to 'Containment'?’ has been published in ‘The National Interest’ on March 17, 2021.

The article argues that a synchronized Quad could prove a major hindrance to China’s regional and global designs, provided the narrative of the Indo-Pacific sustenance is maintained purposefully.

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• Published: 16 March, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘Can Delhi-Warsaw Ties Underpin a Stronger India-EU Framework?’ has been published by ‘Wszystko Co Najwa?niejsze’, a Polish Opinion Monthly.

The piece argues that India-Poland cooperation, within the fabric of multilateral institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO), forms a key driving force behind Poland’s outreach to India. As India attempts to attain more economic independence from China post-pandemic, Poland can be a critical partner within the EU. Warsaw too supports taking a “more assertive approach” towards China on trade. In other words, both India and Poland are staunch supporters of creating a level playing field in the trade and investment domain by ensuring that Chinese state-owned enterprises are fully compliant with international norms. Here, India and Poland could potentially collaborate to push forth a reformed WTO — something India has consistently lobbied for — within their broader multilateral trade liberalization policies.

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• Published: 8 March, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘China's Military Budget Keeps Growing: Why the World Should Worry?’ has been published in ‘The National Interest’ on March 08, 2021.

The piece argues, China’s massive military budget demonstrates the central place that China’s armed forces hold in implementing (or influencing) the country’s foreign policy.

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• Published: 8 March, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article 'Xi's Post-pandemic Outlook on Asia' has been published in China Report (Sage), Vol.57, No.1, 2021.

The article argues that China’s contest with the global community has entered a delicate phase post the COVID-19 period. While the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the non-responsible act of China in tackling the virus to prevent its spread outside the country, the recent aggression of the Chinese leadership on land and maritime domains in Asia has revealed the long-term international objectives of China’s ambitious foreign policy under Xi Jinping. As China attempts to rebuild its global image and profile post the pandemic and, most importantly, to reorder its global governance approach, Beijing may like to revitalise its focus on its Guanxi (relationship or networks) and Mingyun Gongtongti or ‘the Community with a Shared Future for Humankind’ (CHSF). In other words, China’s approach to Asia may take a new turn without Beijing shying away from its original intentions of dictating the Asian order.

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• Published: 5 March, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘Britain's place in India's Indo-Pacific Outlook’ has been published at the Council of GeoStrategy, London, United Kingdom on March 02, 2021.

The piece argues that as India faces a more significant challenge from China over their disputed border, and intensifying US-China rivalry, London’s ‘tilt’ to the Indo-Pacific is a welcome development to New Delhi.

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• Published: 2 March, 2021