This research track examines international relations, foreign policies, and national security impulses of South Asian states. It seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of how South Asian states are reacting and adjusting to the pulls and pressures of the international system, regional dynamics, and local necessities. The rapidly evolving multilateral system, emergence of new security and economic architectures, and growing Sino-US competition are influencing the choices made by states in South Asia. Moreover, the smaller South Asian states are faced with new options and challenges as a result of greater strategic competition in the Indian Ocean. At the regional level, some of South Asia’s old fault lines remain intact. This is the case of India-Pakistan relations. Yet, intensifying frictions in Sino-Indian relations have introduced new regional dynamics. Shifts in foreign policies are also intricately connected with domestic politics. With elections around the corner in most South Asian states, local factors have become particularly relevant.

• South Asia’s relations with the major powers (the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union), multilateral institutions and regional forums
• South Asia-Southeast Asia/Singapore relations including geopolitics, security and defence
• Comparative studies of small states in South Asia and Southeast Asia
• India’s evolving foreign and defence relationship with the ASEAN countries
• The Quad and the evolving regional security architecture
• Sino-India relations
• The Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea and maritime security
• Global and regional power politics in South Asia
• Key regional institutions and strategic connectivity
• Technology, national security, and foreign policy in South Asia
• Arms transfers and military preparedness of South Asian states and their footprint on Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific
• Geopolitics of climate change
• Geopolitics of critical minerals
• Supply chains and diplomacy

This research cluster tracks the fluid state of politics, governance, and institutions in South Asia. This research track investigates the political forces at play in the region and assesses likely outcomes, as well as its wider impact on democracy. It also analyses the narrative of globalisation and the flow of technology and information and how it has affected multipolarity, regionalism and nationalism.

Some of the questions that this cluster focuses on are: What are the pressures of regional geopolitics on domestic political actors in South Asia? What are the key factors that will determine the 2024 general elections in India? What are the dynamics of internal politics within Indian states? What are the effects of rising nationalism and polarisation on politics? What are the contours of religious fundamentalism and militancy in South Asia? What are the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region? Are political and public institutions in South Asia able to withstand these pressures and societal demands? How will their societies be affected by these trends and what impact will that have on politics and democracy? ISAS seeks to answer these questions as well as provide a detailed analysis of elections and electoral outcomes in South Asia, both at the national level as well as at the regional/state level.

• National and regional/state elections in South Asia: A countdown to the 2024 Indian general elections and elections in key states such as Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and in the Northeast; national elections in Pakistan, Bhutan, and Maldives
• State of democratic and public institutions in South Asia
• Political mobilisation of religion, culture, and nationalism with a focus on Hindu nationalism, Islamic nationalism, and religious militancy
• Political parties in South Asia
• Key issues in domestic politics of South Asia, including leadership transitions
• Tensions between federalism and the centralisation of state power
• State responses to domestic environmental and social movements – free speech, civil protest, and law and order
• Citizenship and identity discourses
• Role of business and private sector in government and politics

This research track examines South Asia’s role in the rapidly evolving global environment and how it is impacted by these changes. Specifically, it evaluates how the global balance of economic and political power, with Asia at the heart of it, affects the South Asian countries’ foreign and domestic economic policies. Here, particular attention is given to these countries’ economic relations with one another, the major global powers, and Southeast Asia. The study focuses on how trade architectures, linkages and flows will be affected by such macro changes in the global sphere and how South Asia will respond to them.

Internally, within each South Asian state, this research track analyses and monitors their economic developments and the challenges and opportunities of growth that these macro developments bring. The repositioning of the supply chains and production networks, regional connectivity developments and trade facilitation, including moves to embrace digital cross-border transactions, will feature prominently in ISAS’ research. The new trends and priorities produced by the COVID-19 pandemic in this regard will be specifically noted. Over the last few years, ISAS has devoted emphasis to developments in the Indian states, particularly studying their economic policies and regulations. The emphasis will continue, specifically in states of Singapore’s interest, such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. In line with the work that ISAS has already done, the knowledge gathered from close looks at Indian states will be specifically harnessed, keeping Singapore’s business and strategic interests in mind.

• General economic surveillance and policy analysis
• Trade and connectivity
• Digital and green economy
• Business/Partnership development

Technologies drive our lives. The future of work, our economic pathways and futures and geopolitical trends are increasingly shaped by technologies and how they are regulated. The geopolitics of technological development and governance threatens to limit cooperation and innovation. As a result, questions around how technologies are developed, governed, and used have become significant worldwide, including South Asia where countries seek to use technologies to advance domestic and strategic objectives. How do South Asian countries seek to regulate technologies? Do their regulations accelerate or constrain innovation and digital competition? How can South Asian countries collaborate with critical economic partners like Singapore through technological diplomacy? How are South Asian countries mitigating disruptions brought by such technologies? And what are the prospects of establishing new norms and standards on critical issues like data and cybersecurity?

The Strategic Technologies research agenda covers issues like cybersecurity, data governance and cross border data sharing/processing, digital public infrastructures, 5G networks and telecommunications, and the role of technologies in conflict. Increasingly, technology forms a critical part of how South Asian countries diplomatically interact and cooperate with external partners like Singapore but also through frameworks like the BRI, IPEF, and the Quad. As digital technologies transform the global economy and security, this research agenda will provide data-data driven analysis, recommendations and perspectives on how key South Asian countries are approaching and managing technologies and dealing with its complex effects and how they are engaging diplomatically with partners to harness technological advancements.