I. Title: A Geo-psychological Approach to Understanding the North Korean Nuclear Conundrum 

Author: B.M. Jain

Abstract: North Korea’s heightened recalcitrance and defiance around its nuclear and missiles program has turned the world-wide media spotlight on the Korean peninsula. Under the leadership of Kim Jong-Un, one of “the world’s most feared dictators”, Pyongyang has sent tremors to the nebulous global and regional security architecture. More so, however, a new brand of nuclear jingoism appears to have surfaced following Kim’s continual threat to hit the US military base in Guam as well as to wipe out South Korea and Japan from the world’s geographical map. Against this backdrop, the paper addresses those core factors that have calcified the intransigent attitude of the North Korean leadership: provocative measures such as imposition of stringent sanctions, the failure of the Six-Party dialogue on resolving the nuclear tangle, and lackadaisical attitude of China and Russia over North Korean “destabilizing pattern of  behaviour.” The article’s motivation is to forensically examine as to how far Kim’s “heuristic leadership model” is responsible for the persisting nuclear threat on a gargantuan scale to the region’s security and stability. It concludes that given Kim’s “active-independent orientation” in foreign policy affairs, his political psychology is attuned to having a dialogue with the United States from the position of strength, which, in his perception, will protect the country’s national honour and also ensure his personal victory without compromising the country’s national interests.

Keywords: nuclear jingoism, political psychology, six-party dialogue, strategic leverage, nuclear standoff.

II. Title: The South China Sea Issue: A Critical Appraisal of China’s Geo-economic Strategy

Author: Romi Jain

Abstract: With its growing economic clout, China is vigorously practicing economic statecraft in achieving its foreign policy goals. No exception to its application is the South China Sea. This article critically examines China’s geo-economic strategy vis-à-vis Vietnam and the Philippines, the major contenders, in mellowing their assertions over the South China Sea issue and in guarding Beijing’s exclusive claim. The other Southeast Asian claimants figure in occasional references in the article. The organization is as follows. While the first part discusses the geo-economics theory, the second part assesses the strength of China’s geo-economic diplomacy and illustrates the success areas and promising moves. The third part identifies the weak spots and challenges to geo-economics. The final part concludes.

Keywords: Geo-economics, China, South China Sea, Vietnam, the Philippines

III. Title: Deepening Relationship between Russia and China: Implications for India in an Era of Strategic Uncertainty  

Author: Vinay Kaura

Abstract: Due to divergent perspectives on many regional and global issues, Russia and China are not likely to forge a formal alliance. But the evolving nature and scope of cooperation between China and Russia in political and security realms present a challenge for New Delhi. India shares an uncomfortable relationship with China, which has been conducting a sophisticated campaign to expand its influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region at India’s expense. India has always desired to counteract the Chinese power with the combined might of Russia which has been largely amenable to India’s attempts. But given the change in global configuration of power and Russia’s immediate strategic objective of balancing American power, India faces huge challenges. The article recommends India’s participation in the emerging Quadrilateral along with more robust ties with Russia to counter Chinese adventurism in South Asia and beyond.

Keywords: Russia-China relations, South Asia, India

IV. Title: Paris Climate Deal: A Bumpy Road Ahead

Author: Keshab Chandra Ratha

Abstract: Due to divergent perspectives on many regional and global issues, Russia and China are not likely to forge a formal alliance. But the evolving nature and scope of cooperation between China and Russia in political and security realms present a challenge for New Delhi. India shares an uncomfortable relationship with China, which has been conducting a sophisticated campaign to expand its influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region at India’s expense. India has always desired to counteract the Chinese power with the combined might of Russia which has been largely amenable to India’s attempts. But given the change in global configuration of power and Russia’s immediate strategic objective of balancing American power, India faces huge challenges. The article recommends India’s participation in the emerging Quadrilateral along with more robust ties with Russia to counter Chinese adventurism in South Asia and beyond.  

Keywords: Paris Climate Summit, Geo-politics, Climate Justice, Energy Transition

V. Title: Analysis of Monetary Cooperation between China and the Euro Zone and its Impact on India
Author: Wangwang Zhou

 Abstract: This article offers an analysis of the monetary cooperation in the context of Renminbi internationalization (RMBI) between Euro area and China and attempts to show key European states’ rent seeking in the arrangements based on their distinct domestic variations. With a federal system and emphasis on the real economy, the Sino-German cooperation has been more pioneered by the federal government while the central government in French and Luxembourgish cases has been the core cooperation promoter because of the importance attached to the international financial center (IFC) and financial industry. Moreover, given India’s role throughout Asia and beyond, this article ties these developments into an assessment of lessons learned for short and long-term cooperation between Sino-Euro zone monetary regimes. This study suggests that the Sino-Euro zone monetary cooperation is not able to contribute to China’s monetary growth largely in the short-term, but foreign countries’ need-driven monetary cooperation in the context of RMBI may create a solid basis for RMB’s international use, which may impact the power relations between China and India to some extent.

 Keywords: Monetary Cooperation, Renminbi Internationalization, China, Euro Zone, India

VI. Title: Energy Dimension of the Belt and Road Initiative: Implications for India’s Energy Security

Author: Priyanshi Chauhan

Abstract: As the world’s largest consumer of energy, China is experiencing a demand-supply mismatch for energy. Consequently, it is increasingly relying on import of fuels. Simultaneously, China is facing the challenge of diversifying its import of energy as well as ensuring security of its energy transit routes. The objective is to assess energy dimension of the Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI), and its implications for India’s energy security including economic, geopolitical and strategic concerns. The article finds that there are significant overlaps of the maritime and land-based corridors in the BRI with the existing energy transit routes for China covering all its major energy exporters. This has significant bearing for India owing to the competition for energy resources and for balance of power in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. The article suggests that India should explore avenues of energy cooperation with China.

Keywords: BRI, energy security, energy politics, Indian Ocean, South Asia