The rise of the Biden Administration in the United States has coincided with the rise of Quad as ... more The rise of the Biden Administration in the United States has coincided with the rise of Quad as a ‘premier regional grouping’ in the Indo-Pacific region with a robust agenda of cooperation that spans across strategic, economic, technological, environmental and developmental areas. The Quad’s ambitious agenda underpins the member-states’ deliberate effort to align its two foundational bases – balancing and normative – in the grouping’s outlook. The new Quad aims at achieving three-fold objectives – limiting China’s growing influence and assertive behaviour, augmenting new technological capacity of its member-states and projecting the grouping as a provider of regional good. However, the Quad continues to face various challenges, which relate to both the intent and functional capacity of the member-states and limit the grouping’s effectiveness in achieving its vastly ambitious agenda. The success of the Quad as an informal regional grouping will depend on the member-states’ willingne...
The three principal areas in which India is likely to concentrate are quantum communica ons and q... more The three principal areas in which India is likely to concentrate are quantum communica ons and quantum satellite, quantum compu ng, and quantum cryptography." India joined the 'global quantum race' in February 2020 when it launched the Na onal Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applica on (NM-QTA) and declared that the country would invest $1.2 billion over the next five years in the development of quantum technologies. Though the allocated funding for the ini a ve is not at par with the depth and scale of investment in quantum technologies by the United States and China, it is more than the budget allocated by many of the advanced economies of Europe and Asia. Some Indian physicists even view the NM-QTA as an ini a ve that 'promises to catapult India into the midst of the second quantum revolu on.' India is a late starter to the quantum race, which it began in earnest in 2018, when the government launched the Quantum Enabled Science and Technology program (QuEST) under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). QuEST set an ambi ous goal of building quantum computers and communica ons systems within ten years. However, the main success of the QuEST program came from the conceptualiza on of the NM-QTA that has become the nodal program on quantum-related research across mul ple departments and agencies of the Indian government. A somewhat specific itera on of the goals of the NM-QTA has come from the DST. The principal aim of the NM-QTA is to give a push to the 'next genera on transforma ve technologies,' such as 'quantum computers and compu ng, quantum communica on, quantum key distribu on, encryp on, crypt analysis and quantum sensing.' While the goal of the NM-QTA is comprehensive, the three principal areas in which India is likely to concentrate are quantum communica ons and quantum satellite, quantum compu ng, and quantum cryptography. While the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organiza on) is likely to lead the quantum communica ons and quantum satellite, DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organiza on) and MEIT (Ministry of Electronics and Informa on Technology) are probably going to lead quantum compu ng and quantum cryptography. Viewed in this context, the NM-QTA is a mul-pronged ini a ve with mul ple agencies leading research on different aspects of quantum technologies.
Rising violence against Asian immigrants in Australia reflects a crisis of multiculturalism in th... more Rising violence against Asian immigrants in Australia reflects a crisis of multiculturalism in the country. Trends towards majoritarian and racial politics, desperate efforts by the conservative forces in the Liberal Party to champion the cause of core Australian values, and the inability of the domestic advocates of multiculturalism to counter the bigoted politics in the country have all contributed to the crisis.
Indonesia’s Foreign Policy and Grand Strategy in the 21st Century, 2018
For polymer actuators, that are useful in wide variety of applications such as microelectromechan... more For polymer actuators, that are useful in wide variety of applications such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), machine components, and artificial muscles, the nonlinear phenomena of hysteresis and creep are essential considerations. We have investigated the movement of an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator composed of singlewall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and polyaniline (PANI), and have developed an integrated model that can be used for simulating and predicting the hysteresis and creep during actuation. We used the Preisach operator, one of the most popular phenomenological models of hysteresis, and the step response was depicted using the system identification technique. Understanding the behavior of the step response is especially important in open-loop control of the actuator. In this paper, we present the mathematical description of our model as well as the extraction of the parameters. Simulation results from the model and a comparison with measured data are also provided.
The electoral battle for the presidency in the world's largest Muslim-and Asia's second largest-d... more The electoral battle for the presidency in the world's largest Muslim-and Asia's second largest-democracy finally came to a close on July 22 when the Indonesian Election Commission (KPU) announced Djoko Widodo, popularly known as "Jokowi," as the winner. Jokowi's victory highlights the growing popular and political support for a new kind of democratic politics in Indonesia that is progressive, transparent and broad-based, and that thrives on the expectations of a generation of young people born in a democratic Indonesia. Jokowi's rise marks the beginning of Indonesia's second democratic transition. The official announcement of the result has put an end to weeks of divisive and emotionally charged campaigns, and two weeks of post-election stalemate that pushed the country towards political uncertainty. Both candidates-Jokowi and Prabowo Subianto-had each claimed victory based on unofficial counts. Prabowo has accused the KPU of "massive, systematic and structural cheating" and petitioned before the Constitutional Court, Indonesia's apex body on election matters, for an annulment of the KPU results and its declaration of Jokowi's victory. It should be noted that the Constitutional Court received such petitions during both the previous presidential elections of 2004 and 2009, and rejected them.
The evolving dynamics of Southeast Asia–China relations in the twenty-first century is an outcome... more The evolving dynamics of Southeast Asia–China relations in the twenty-first century is an outcome of fundamental changes taking place in (a) the global and regional structures of power; and (b) the attributes and priorities of the actors operating within and influencing the regional strategic landscape. These trends have contributed to significant shifts in the character of China’s bilateral relations with ASEAN member states, substantially enhanced the Chinese shadow over Southeast Asia and introduced considerable strain on ASEAN’s efforts at a consensus-based approach towards a rising China. While Southeast Asia continues to debate whether China’s rise is a peaceful process or not, three important trends have shaped the relationship of China and Southeast Asia. First, the rise of China offers a huge opportunity for the economic development of the region. Second, the asymmetry in the balance of power between China and ASEAN is increasing. Third, rising China has shown greater assertion in its relations with Southeast Asia, forcing ASEAN countries to develop appropriate strategies to manage China. These developments have resulted in a multi-tiered structure of relationships connecting domestic, regional and systemic equations.
ASEAN’s nightmares are never‐ending. While it is struggling to keep itself united amidst enormous... more ASEAN’s nightmares are never‐ending. While it is struggling to keep itself united amidst enormous pressure from the members pursuing divergent interests, its largest and most powerful member, Indonesia, is gradually dri ing away from the grouping. Indonesian leadership is char ng a foreign policy course that is, for the first me since the crea on of ASEAN in 1967, no longer predicated on ASEAN leadership and ASEAN centrality. The Indonesian posi on is iden fied variously as “post‐ASEAN” (Rizal Sukma, The Jakarta Post, October 5, 2009), “asser ve and autonomous” (Barry Deskar, RSIS Commentary, September 29, 2010), “interna onalist” (Evelyn Goh, New Mandala, July 3, 2015), and “punching above the weight” (Endy Bayuni, The Straits Times, May 13, 2015). While a few experts have wondered whether Indonesia is going it alone, some already believe that to be the case.
South Asian diaspora narratives: roots and routes by Amit Sarwal, Singapore, Springer, 2017, 191 ... more South Asian diaspora narratives: roots and routes by Amit Sarwal, Singapore, Springer, 2017, 191 pp., € 74.89 (eBook), ISBN: 9789811036293
The rise of the Biden Administration in the United States has coincided with the rise of Quad as ... more The rise of the Biden Administration in the United States has coincided with the rise of Quad as a ‘premier regional grouping’ in the Indo-Pacific region with a robust agenda of cooperation that spans across strategic, economic, technological, environmental and developmental areas. The Quad’s ambitious agenda underpins the member-states’ deliberate effort to align its two foundational bases – balancing and normative – in the grouping’s outlook. The new Quad aims at achieving three-fold objectives – limiting China’s growing influence and assertive behaviour, augmenting new technological capacity of its member-states and projecting the grouping as a provider of regional good. However, the Quad continues to face various challenges, which relate to both the intent and functional capacity of the member-states and limit the grouping’s effectiveness in achieving its vastly ambitious agenda. The success of the Quad as an informal regional grouping will depend on the member-states’ willingne...
The three principal areas in which India is likely to concentrate are quantum communica ons and q... more The three principal areas in which India is likely to concentrate are quantum communica ons and quantum satellite, quantum compu ng, and quantum cryptography." India joined the 'global quantum race' in February 2020 when it launched the Na onal Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applica on (NM-QTA) and declared that the country would invest $1.2 billion over the next five years in the development of quantum technologies. Though the allocated funding for the ini a ve is not at par with the depth and scale of investment in quantum technologies by the United States and China, it is more than the budget allocated by many of the advanced economies of Europe and Asia. Some Indian physicists even view the NM-QTA as an ini a ve that 'promises to catapult India into the midst of the second quantum revolu on.' India is a late starter to the quantum race, which it began in earnest in 2018, when the government launched the Quantum Enabled Science and Technology program (QuEST) under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). QuEST set an ambi ous goal of building quantum computers and communica ons systems within ten years. However, the main success of the QuEST program came from the conceptualiza on of the NM-QTA that has become the nodal program on quantum-related research across mul ple departments and agencies of the Indian government. A somewhat specific itera on of the goals of the NM-QTA has come from the DST. The principal aim of the NM-QTA is to give a push to the 'next genera on transforma ve technologies,' such as 'quantum computers and compu ng, quantum communica on, quantum key distribu on, encryp on, crypt analysis and quantum sensing.' While the goal of the NM-QTA is comprehensive, the three principal areas in which India is likely to concentrate are quantum communica ons and quantum satellite, quantum compu ng, and quantum cryptography. While the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organiza on) is likely to lead the quantum communica ons and quantum satellite, DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organiza on) and MEIT (Ministry of Electronics and Informa on Technology) are probably going to lead quantum compu ng and quantum cryptography. Viewed in this context, the NM-QTA is a mul-pronged ini a ve with mul ple agencies leading research on different aspects of quantum technologies.
Rising violence against Asian immigrants in Australia reflects a crisis of multiculturalism in th... more Rising violence against Asian immigrants in Australia reflects a crisis of multiculturalism in the country. Trends towards majoritarian and racial politics, desperate efforts by the conservative forces in the Liberal Party to champion the cause of core Australian values, and the inability of the domestic advocates of multiculturalism to counter the bigoted politics in the country have all contributed to the crisis.
Indonesia’s Foreign Policy and Grand Strategy in the 21st Century, 2018
For polymer actuators, that are useful in wide variety of applications such as microelectromechan... more For polymer actuators, that are useful in wide variety of applications such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), machine components, and artificial muscles, the nonlinear phenomena of hysteresis and creep are essential considerations. We have investigated the movement of an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator composed of singlewall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and polyaniline (PANI), and have developed an integrated model that can be used for simulating and predicting the hysteresis and creep during actuation. We used the Preisach operator, one of the most popular phenomenological models of hysteresis, and the step response was depicted using the system identification technique. Understanding the behavior of the step response is especially important in open-loop control of the actuator. In this paper, we present the mathematical description of our model as well as the extraction of the parameters. Simulation results from the model and a comparison with measured data are also provided.
The electoral battle for the presidency in the world's largest Muslim-and Asia's second largest-d... more The electoral battle for the presidency in the world's largest Muslim-and Asia's second largest-democracy finally came to a close on July 22 when the Indonesian Election Commission (KPU) announced Djoko Widodo, popularly known as "Jokowi," as the winner. Jokowi's victory highlights the growing popular and political support for a new kind of democratic politics in Indonesia that is progressive, transparent and broad-based, and that thrives on the expectations of a generation of young people born in a democratic Indonesia. Jokowi's rise marks the beginning of Indonesia's second democratic transition. The official announcement of the result has put an end to weeks of divisive and emotionally charged campaigns, and two weeks of post-election stalemate that pushed the country towards political uncertainty. Both candidates-Jokowi and Prabowo Subianto-had each claimed victory based on unofficial counts. Prabowo has accused the KPU of "massive, systematic and structural cheating" and petitioned before the Constitutional Court, Indonesia's apex body on election matters, for an annulment of the KPU results and its declaration of Jokowi's victory. It should be noted that the Constitutional Court received such petitions during both the previous presidential elections of 2004 and 2009, and rejected them.
The evolving dynamics of Southeast Asia–China relations in the twenty-first century is an outcome... more The evolving dynamics of Southeast Asia–China relations in the twenty-first century is an outcome of fundamental changes taking place in (a) the global and regional structures of power; and (b) the attributes and priorities of the actors operating within and influencing the regional strategic landscape. These trends have contributed to significant shifts in the character of China’s bilateral relations with ASEAN member states, substantially enhanced the Chinese shadow over Southeast Asia and introduced considerable strain on ASEAN’s efforts at a consensus-based approach towards a rising China. While Southeast Asia continues to debate whether China’s rise is a peaceful process or not, three important trends have shaped the relationship of China and Southeast Asia. First, the rise of China offers a huge opportunity for the economic development of the region. Second, the asymmetry in the balance of power between China and ASEAN is increasing. Third, rising China has shown greater assertion in its relations with Southeast Asia, forcing ASEAN countries to develop appropriate strategies to manage China. These developments have resulted in a multi-tiered structure of relationships connecting domestic, regional and systemic equations.
ASEAN’s nightmares are never‐ending. While it is struggling to keep itself united amidst enormous... more ASEAN’s nightmares are never‐ending. While it is struggling to keep itself united amidst enormous pressure from the members pursuing divergent interests, its largest and most powerful member, Indonesia, is gradually dri ing away from the grouping. Indonesian leadership is char ng a foreign policy course that is, for the first me since the crea on of ASEAN in 1967, no longer predicated on ASEAN leadership and ASEAN centrality. The Indonesian posi on is iden fied variously as “post‐ASEAN” (Rizal Sukma, The Jakarta Post, October 5, 2009), “asser ve and autonomous” (Barry Deskar, RSIS Commentary, September 29, 2010), “interna onalist” (Evelyn Goh, New Mandala, July 3, 2015), and “punching above the weight” (Endy Bayuni, The Straits Times, May 13, 2015). While a few experts have wondered whether Indonesia is going it alone, some already believe that to be the case.
South Asian diaspora narratives: roots and routes by Amit Sarwal, Singapore, Springer, 2017, 191 ... more South Asian diaspora narratives: roots and routes by Amit Sarwal, Singapore, Springer, 2017, 191 pp., € 74.89 (eBook), ISBN: 9789811036293
Providing relief to countries affected by natural calamities has always been an important area of... more Providing relief to countries affected by natural calamities has always been an important area of India’s international activities, and recent years have seen a significant transformation in terms of its preparedness, scale of the operations and willingness to use its resources to offer maximum relief to the victim country. This paper deals with six instances of natural disasters affecting countries in India’s neighbourhood and look at how India has responded to these. Apart from examining if India’s response left anything to be desired and the impact of its response, the paper also aims to see if there is some kind of an Indian policy with specific objectives that can be discerned, and the potential impact of such a policy.
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Papers by Vibhanshu Shekhar