Manish Kumar Jha

India's Defence reform and Policies -Defence Procurement Process (DPP) 2020 draft.

Again, amid the clashes and burning threat at LAC in Ladhak, IAF’s front line fighter jet Su 30 MKI scrambled & reverberated as it did during the Balakot air strike. But it is time to address capability gap too. While the first LCA Tejas Mk-1 in Final Operational Clearance standard got inducted into No. 18 ‘Flying Bullets’, 83 MK-1A version will be a force majeure. But greater challenges remain for 450 jets, Gen 5+ AMCA & capability for jet engine at the heart of indigenization. In an exclusive… Show more

Again, amid the clashes and burning threat at LAC in Ladhak, IAF’s front line fighter jet Su 30 MKI scrambled & reverberated as it did during the Balakot air strike. But it is time to address capability gap too. While the first LCA Tejas Mk-1 in Final Operational Clearance standard got inducted into No. 18 ‘Flying Bullets’, 83 MK-1A version will be a force majeure. But greater challenges remain for 450 jets, Gen 5+ AMCA & capability for jet engine at the heart of indigenization. In an exclusive interaction, Chief of Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, speaks with BW Businessworld’s Manish Kumar Jha on the critical steps and the thrust on R&D in aerospace.

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India's role in Africa is well documented as a development partner. The strength of such partnership is based on the shared historical injustice and the exploitation of the resources in the past. From infrastructure to digital revolution and sustainable development, India -- Africa partnerships are unfolding in a much greater way. But there are impediments as well that pose challenges. Ashwajit Singh, Managing Director, IPE Global has been driving many developmental projects in Africa. He… Show more

India's role in Africa is well documented as a development partner. The strength of such partnership is based on the shared historical injustice and the exploitation of the resources in the past. From infrastructure to digital revolution and sustainable development, India -- Africa partnerships are unfolding in a much greater way. But there are impediments as well that pose challenges. Ashwajit Singh, Managing Director, IPE Global has been driving many developmental projects in Africa. He speaks with BW Businessworld's Manish Kumar Jha on such issues and the role that India could play. Show less

Tardy implementation of procedures and policies and lack of swift decision making have impeded the modernisation of India’s defence forces.

Mumbai-headquartered Larsen & Toubro has for long been one of India’s leading suppliers of defence equipment and systems. BW Businessworld caught up with Jayant Patil, Whole-time Director (Defence & Smart Technologies) & Member of the Board, L&T for his take on the key issue of policy implementation in defence. Excerpts:

Not too long ago, BW Businessworld had predicted that defence production in India could be the ‘next big thing’ in manufacturing. Now that India aspires to be a $5 trillion economy by 2024 and the government of the day woos investors (including foreign investors) into infrastructure building and manufacturing, what are the odds that the desired participation of the private sector and multinationals in defence production will take off at last? We take stock of whether or not the untapped… Show more

Not too long ago, BW Businessworld had predicted that defence production in India could be the ‘next big thing’ in manufacturing. Now that India aspires to be a $5 trillion economy by 2024 and the government of the day woos investors (including foreign investors) into infrastructure building and manufacturing, what are the odds that the desired participation of the private sector and multinationals in defence production will take off at last? We take stock of whether or not the untapped potentials of manufacturing military hardware within India could be unleashed in the prevailing policy framework. Show less

With the new waves of technology influencing the battleground, it’s time the Indian defence establishment fine tunes its policies to suit the modern warfare tactics

Get over the nostalgia of our old- school rant. A stronger India - U.S. bilateral relations are eminent. Hiccups in trade -tariff wars are discussed. India's security concerns will have stronger U.S. elements as a partner. My latest Editorial based on the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) SESSION in New Delhi with Nikki Haley.

At Def Expo 2018, Chennai, India looks to push indigenization. Hoping that Ministry of Defence will smoothen the entry barrier further. Let's understand and engage more with our forces and the security threats around us. Defence is for everyone. Read further:

PM Modi has visited 53 countries so far, hawking Brand India to the world at large. What perceptible difference has this thrust on diplomacy made to trade and investment?

Can we dither from imminent modernization of Indian Defence and hardware. No. Then we must work up the money to get it going. But, we do start building big here and drop off the tag of largest importer of arms in the world

Iran is hardliner but maintains goodwill with India. A sluggish economy troubled by the heavy sanctions, look for building blocks with India. Internal chaos is more evident now and not much is comfortable with the state of affairs: especially Shiites majority is all talk about still carrying the primitive laws surrounding women. With India, it is a transnational. Hope that, India builds upon that further to achieve greater bilateral strengths in the relationships. Chabahar port is one of the… Show more

Iran is hardliner but maintains goodwill with India. A sluggish economy troubled by the heavy sanctions, look for building blocks with India. Internal chaos is more evident now and not much is comfortable with the state of affairs: especially Shiites majority is all talk about still carrying the primitive laws surrounding women. With India, it is a transnational. Hope that, India builds upon that further to achieve greater bilateral strengths in the relationships. Chabahar port is one of the strength. Show less

On the Constitution Day, Mongolia celebrates the inherent values that are enshrined in the constitution and finds similar ethos between India and Mongolia. The historical ties are binding and the democratic values are similar. Mongolia is looking for the immense possibilities that could unfold with India

"The Maldives is among India's closest partners," PM Modi said while addressing the media after holding bilateral delegation-level talks with visiting Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in 2016 in Delhi. He further stated: "The stability and security of the Maldives are in the interest of India." The significance is reiterated to reinforce the old ties that have seen the best of strategic and multiple collaborations in the past between India and Maldives. In the context of fast… Show more

"The Maldives is among India's closest partners," PM Modi said while addressing the media after holding bilateral delegation-level talks with visiting Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in 2016 in Delhi. He further stated: "The stability and security of the Maldives are in the interest of India." The significance is reiterated to reinforce the old ties that have seen the best of strategic and multiple collaborations in the past between India and Maldives. In the context of fast changing geopolitical dimensions, which is strongly felt in Asia, Maldives unequivocally revokes the old ties and puts 'India First' policy in the perspectives. Tête-à-tête With His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed, Ambassador Of Maldives To India. Show less

Tao Gaua indicates the very indomitable spirit of China. Carrying the burden of the greatest of the ancient glory, It seeks to reclaim the position it deserves. It has reached already claimed No 2. India too wants to shine and rise but a way behind. Though, Doklam indicates the 'before the time' syndrome of China but it does send a message clear to India. Let's be 'bhai -bhai' but ready to stand up and keep learning from Tao Gaua. Nothing wrong!

Building a new order: India-Japan alliances: Modi-Abe realigned to forge a new reality in the Indo-pacific geopolitics which will define the cohort alliances for India that goes beyond the realm of bilateralism. My editorial take defines it as new era for Indian foreign policy and a very apt moment to bring it forth. There is no doubt here and India does needs 'a constant friend'; Japan can stand by. I believe so.

Nations fall victim to hubris while they assume to be at top. Whether China has done its due to overconfidence or just plain recklessness is unclear. Behind this facade of arrogance, it hides a problem that is going to be bigger the more intransigent its leaders behave. A remarkable composure, India holds the key of the largest market. Can China ignore that US 100 billion that gets traded with India and goes in favor of China. Lets be ready for the fast changing face of our geopolitics.

PM Modi' foreign visits and his role in bringing India closer to the world and reestablish our credentials in the global arena; while doing so- we look forward to attract more investments and partnerships across. What do we get?

Kazakhstan is celebrating 25th year of diplomatic relations with India. On the occasion. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India, H.E. Bulat Sarsenbayev speaks to Manish Kumar Jha.

Maldives and India are the inseparable friends and the closest ally in our beautiful Indian Ocean. The media frenzy should not bring the jolt to the historic relations. In the helm of affairs, is the Ambassador HE Ahmed Mohamed whose unrelenting pursuits are assuring that we need not reiterate the 'India First' policy of Maldives. Indian foreign policy makers must align themselves to the new reality of "Political economy'' and must reach out to these closest allies with equal measure and… Show more

Maldives and India are the inseparable friends and the closest ally in our beautiful Indian Ocean. The media frenzy should not bring the jolt to the historic relations. In the helm of affairs, is the Ambassador HE Ahmed Mohamed whose unrelenting pursuits are assuring that we need not reiterate the 'India First' policy of Maldives. Indian foreign policy makers must align themselves to the new reality of "Political economy'' and must reach out to these closest allies with equal measure and greatest of priority. Our neighbors are drifting away fast and furiously. Show less

Maldives and India are the inseparable friends and the closest ally in our beautiful Indian Ocean. The media frenzy should not bring the jolt to the historic relations. In the helm of affairs, is the Ambassador HE Ahmed Mohamed whose unrelenting pursuits are assuring that we need not reiterate the 'India First' policy of Maldives. Indian foreign policy makers must align themselves to the new reality of "Political economy'' and must reach out to these closest allies with equal measure and… Show more

Maldives and India are the inseparable friends and the closest ally in our beautiful Indian Ocean. The media frenzy should not bring the jolt to the historic relations. In the helm of affairs, is the Ambassador HE Ahmed Mohamed whose unrelenting pursuits are assuring that we need not reiterate the 'India First' policy of Maldives. Indian foreign policy makers must align themselves to the new reality of "Political economy'' and must reach out to these closest allies with equal measure and greatest of priority. Our neighbors are drifting away fast and furiously. We must shake the laggards. Show less

Along the scalar line of our foreign policy, It is the time to revisit our bilateral relation with Taiwan. Seek and seize the abundance of possibilities towards economic cooperation with Taiwan. It's time to bring Taiwan-India ties into the modern era. A more pragmatic approach is required to address the challenges. Look no further when we require collaboration in area like: hardware component, semiconductor, machinery , and agronomy among others. More so, Taiwanese model for SMEs is… Show more

Along the scalar line of our foreign policy, It is the time to revisit our bilateral relation with Taiwan. Seek and seize the abundance of possibilities towards economic cooperation with Taiwan. It's time to bring Taiwan-India ties into the modern era. A more pragmatic approach is required to address the challenges. Look no further when we require collaboration in area like: hardware component, semiconductor, machinery , and agronomy among others. More so, Taiwanese model for SMEs is tasted in their own turf and that is very important to India. Show less

Author- Manish Kumar Jha

An Interaction with Alexander Kadakin, Russian ambassador to India coinciding with the bilateral discussion between President Putin and PM-Manmohan singh

My first visit to South Korea in 2009. First, I lived in Itewon, a cosmopolitan part of Seoul. Visiting Seoul, Busan, Ulasn and covering entire Jeju island were so exciting. Hongdae was young and creative. Insa-dong Art Street (인사동 고미술거리) is Korean wave. A fluttering of creativity and unique Korean style are modern and efficient; yet so much in harmony with traditional craft and design. Sojhu- a national drink of south Korea fueled my appetite and I go forth. Kimchi - a Korean… Show more

My first visit to South Korea in 2009. First, I lived in Itewon, a cosmopolitan part of Seoul. Visiting Seoul, Busan, Ulasn and covering entire Jeju island were so exciting. Hongdae was young and creative. Insa-dong Art Street (인사동 고미술거리) is Korean wave. A fluttering of creativity and unique Korean style are modern and efficient; yet so much in harmony with traditional craft and design. Sojhu- a national drink of south Korea fueled my appetite and I go forth. Kimchi - a Korean obsession- was fresh. I tried to assimilate Korea. I still long to Korea. It is vivid. I often say, Korea Chohayo. Khamsamida....whenever I meet a Korean. Show less

A great deal of discussion with Ambassador Freddy Svane in India and other constant engagements and visit with leaderships in Denmark enriched my content and understanding. Erstwhile Ambassador, Freddy as known in India, was a diplomat with elan. He understood India very well. He liked India too. Unfortunately, his tenure was marred with 'Kim Davy's extradition'. Even though, he tried to do best in India. Denmark is about education,science , research and innovation. An article about the… Show more

A great deal of discussion with Ambassador Freddy Svane in India and other constant engagements and visit with leaderships in Denmark enriched my content and understanding. Erstwhile Ambassador, Freddy as known in India, was a diplomat with elan. He understood India very well. He liked India too. Unfortunately, his tenure was marred with 'Kim Davy's extradition'. Even though, he tried to do best in India. Denmark is about education,science , research and innovation. An article about the culture of innovation in Denmark and what India can do with so much of possibility. Show less

Expectations will run fever pitch when Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Toda’s begins his first official visit to India. A bright new chapter is about to be added to the story of two economic partners who share a perfect friendship, believes Manish Jha

President Tsai Ing wen of Taiwan declares that the new Southbound Policy has nothing to do with geopolitics , it is all about economic and greater relation with Asean...

The waft of ballet flutter and she pirouettes. The best of best in the high tradition of perfection, Bolshoi resonates with you. You don't worry about the story. You may just watch the grandest of the western classical performing art. As an Indian, you might steal some shots of Vodka -many be Cognac- when the light goes off. You dance along then.. may be..