By Sophie Osborn — Earlier this month, a record number of women were sworn into the new U.S. Congress. Globally this seems to be a time of change for women in politics, with one notable exception: Japan. On October 2,…
Where is Japan’s “Pink Wave”?
Update on India’s States: February 13, 2019
Andhra Pradesh announces a new electric mobility policy; Haryana approves a new Pharmaceutical Policy 2019 and a new Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Policy 2019; Tamil Nadu releases a new Solar Energy Policy, 2019; NTPC issues notices to Telangana, Karnataka,…
The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act: Reassuring for Australia?
By Rohana Prince — President Donald Trump’s first two years in office have left U.S. allies like Australia in a tough spot — always worrying that a tweet will undermine promises made, funds committed, and actions undertaken despite reassurances from…
Key Reforms for India: Improving the Business Permits & Clearances Process
By Aman Y. Thakker — Status: In Progress – While India’s government has made attempts to reduce the amount of time it would take to set up business and obtain permits from the government, the creation of a single-window for clearances…
Update on India’s States: February 6, 2019
Gujarat releases a new land policy to set up wind parks and wind-solar hybrid parks in the state; Rajasthan announces unemployment allowances for jobless youth in the state; Punjab outlines plan to provide homeless people in rural areas of the…
The Quad in India: An Agenda for Deepening Cooperation
By Afeena Ashfaque — On December 27, 2018, the Australian High Commission in India announced that the government had authorized funding for a planned new consulate in Kolkata. With this development, Australia joins the United States and Japan with a…
United Kingdom’s “Global Britain” Posture Facilitates Forward-leaning Indo-Pacific Policy
By John Hemmings — This year has been marked by the return of British naval power to the Indo-Pacific. For the first time since 2013, the United Kingdom (UK) deployed warships to the region, not only consecutively deploying three vessels…
Update on India’s States: January 30, 2019
Tamil Nadu releases a new Aerospace and Defence Policy; Goa amends state solar policy authorizing 50 percent subsidy to consumers and producers of solar power; Meghalaya launches the “Design and Adoption of Alternate Models for Responding to Address Shortage of…
Building a Better Deal with China
By Daniel H. Rosen & Scott Kennedy — With Chinese vice premier Liu He coming to Washington, D.C. this week to engage in trade negotiations with his U.S. counterparts, this is an important time to take stock of the U.S.-China…
Indian State Elections & Business Reforms for Q2, Q3 2018
By Kartikeya Singh — A final batch of five states held assembly elections in late 2018 before India’s general elections scheduled this year. Usually, in the lead up to elections, state governments are busy showcasing the work of their governments…
What have Prime Minister Modi’s Social Schemes Achieved?
By Anit Mukherjee — Over the last five years, the Modi government set ambitious targets in several of its social programs. It promised to issue biometric IDs, open bank accounts, build toilets, and provide cooking gas, electricity, and housing. As…
Update on India’s States: January 24, 2019
Chhattisgarh withdraws from center’s Ayushman Bharat health insurance program; Maharashtra raises taxes on power sales for industrial and commercial consumers in Mumbai; Sikkim opens India’s second-largest healthcare facility; Jammu and Kashmir to issue state bonds to raise $490.7 million to…
U.S.-Japan Trade Talks: What to Expect
By Matthew P. Goodman & Ann Listerud — The United States and Japan are scheduled to launch formal trade negotiations soon. The precise timing is unclear: although a statutory 30-day waiting period after publication of the U.S. negotiating objectives ended on January…