Nitin Pai

Doing better than a competitive exam

The IIT JEE and its coaching industry are harming the intellectual development of young people. We can do better

China's syndromes in India's ocean

Bertil Lintner's book The Costliest Pearl is perhaps the most comprehensive account of the contemporary geopolitics of the maritime Eastern Hemisphere

No first use, for us and for all

It is far more in India's interests to invest in the diplomacy that reduces the salience of nuclear weapons

Weakening of theocracy in Saudi Arabia and Iran is in India's interest

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed is attempting to do top-down what at least some of the Iranian protesters are trying to do bottom-up

India's great LEP forward

Book review of 'India Turns East'

Rohingya crisis must not destabilise Bangladesh

The silence from the international community, especially proponents of the principle of Responsibility to Protect, is deafening

Nitin Pai: A military-industrial complex of our own

Without deeper structural changes to defence production and procurement, indigenisation will continue to elude India

Nitin Pai: Post-OROP recovery

Higher personnel costs mean the nature of military modernisation must be more capital-intensive than otherwise

A diplomat's textbook

Nitin Pai: Why military must use economic reasoning

The demand for OROP has been projected as an unambiguous issue but a good policy argument must have a sound economic element

Nitin Pai: The necessary art of ignoring Pakistan

Pakistan does not matter much to India's growth. A bigger, stronger and more open Indian economy will transform our ties with that country

Nitin Pai: How to buy a rifle

Prepare procurement plans well in advance, and have them cleared by the Cabinet, not just the services and defence ministry

Nitin Pai: Let the women fight

Given how the armed forces struggle to attract talent, they cannot rule out hiring half the population

Nitin Pai: Free up the army's land

How India can find land for smart cities - and smart cantonments

Nitin Pai: How much does India really spend on defence?

No one really knows what proportion of the nation's wealth and income are available for defence

Nitin Pai: When Iran enters the global mainstream

The strategic consequences of a nuclear deal between Iran and the West

Nitin Pai: How far will Mr Abe go?

Japan's changing military posture presents opportunities for India

Nitin Pai: Why Sri Lanka's need for China will continue

Colombo's enduring interests suggest the relationship between the two nations will only strengthen

Nitin Pai: Mr Modi's follow-through risks

For India to make the most of Narendra Modi's ambition and energy, he must get New Delhi to keep up

Nitin Pai: The new Cuba?

A Chinese company with military links is building a canal across Nicaragua