Observer Research Foundation

Today's Read!

A curated set of recent briefs examining key global policy shifts and strategic trends:

• China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and its push for technological self-reliance
• US drug regulation debates and expanding access to peptides
• India’s evolving defence posture and strategic signalling
• The resilience of India’s domestically driven economy amid US tariffs and an oil shock
• Southeast Asia’s recalibration within a selective US–China détente framework

Read them here👇
1. Between Tariffs and Truces: Southeast Asia in a Recalibrating US–China Order: https://or-f.org/38459
2. Tariffs, Oil, and the Rupee: India's External Reckoning: https://or-f.org/38455
3. India’s Defence Ambitions Could Prove Transformative: https://or-f.org/38470
4. Biohacking, Peptides, and The Grey Market: https://or-f.org/38477
5. From Growth to Security: China’s Techno-Statist Turn with 15th Five-Year Plan: https://or-f.org/38479

Observer Research Foundation hosted a panel discussion on 'Russia-Iran Nexus In An Era Of War' with Ajay Bisaria, Deepika Saraswat, Adlan Margoev, Md. Muddassir Quamar & Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti.

The panel discussed the shifting alignments in the , a region that has become a safe harbour for capital, further complicating Moscow’s strategic calculations among the escalating - tensions. These developments also affect ’s strategic interests as New Delhi has navigated the crisis, maintaining close contact with the various parties involved and capitalising on its partnership with to secure its needs.

In ’s Union Budget 2025, a Nuclear Energy Mission was launched with an allocation of INR 20,000 crore for research and development (R&D) in small modular reactors (SMRs) that would be capable of resolving many of ’s energy dilemmas and contributing to its transition. However, general comprehension of ’s strategy regarding the development and deployment of SMRs is limited. This brief identifies ’s needs for SMRs, analyses the challenges associated with their deployment in the country, and explores prospects for international collaboration.

Leyla Turayanova writes the latest report 👉

Big Aspirations for Small Modular Reactors: Understanding India’s Strategy on SMRs Explore how the nuclear energy mission India supports SMRs, private investment, and the country’s 100 GW nuclear power target by 2047.

| Supply Chains & Connectivity

As debt rises and corridors strain, how can secure supply chains and drive inclusive growth?

Watch Tan Ya, Vladimir Zuev, Riatu Mariatul Qibthiyyah, Mai Mohsen & Jhanvi Tripati discuss the way forward.

Observer Research Foundation 4 likes. "Beyond Borders: BRICS and the New Global Trade Order"

Today's Read!

The short reads today explain some important issues like rising female voter turnout in elections, 's controversy over alleged interference, Northeast 's supply chain disruptions and GenomeIndia project. It also features a brief highlighting India's rise in AAA gaming.

Read here👇
1. The Next Global Epic: Why AAA Gaming is India’s ‘Kung Fu Panda’ Moment: https://or-f.org/38467
2. What GenomeIndia Reveals About Health Across India’s Diverse Populations: https://or-f.org/38458
3. Global Shocks, Uneven Transmission: The Northeast in India’s Supply Chains: https://or-f.org/38454
4. Turmoil in Angola: Ghost of Wagner or Politics of Survival?: https://or-f.org/38453
5. Assembly Elections 2026: Women Voters and the Representation Gap: https://or-f.org/38451

| Growth meets in

How can , clean , and smart infrastructure scale together?

Watch Oksana Sinyavskaya, Penghui Yang, Mai Mohsen, Mohamed Al Zarouni & Gopalika Arora discuss.

Observer Research Foundation 2 likes. "Green Growth in the Global South: Mobilizing Finance for BRICS+ Transition"

Today's Read!

The short reads today dive into the as a source of leadership and solutions in global governance, ’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, a reflection on – relationship, 's Consumer Price Inflation, strengthening of Indian , and a renewed – talks.

Read here👇
1. Negotiations As Theater: Trump’s Iran Approach Under Scrutiny: https://or-f.org/38402
2. Strengthening MSME Resilience in an Era of Geoeconomic Turbulence: https://or-f.org/38412
3. Below the Band: The Arithmetic of India’s Disinflation in FY26: https://or-f.org/38414
4. A Better Blueprint, Uncertain Outcomes: Assessing India’s Carbon Trading Scheme: https://or-f.org/38446
5. Global South, Global Demographies, Global Learnings: https://or-f.org/38452

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Discovering the “Mantra” for Peace in the

Watch Samir Saran unpack the layered conflict in the , exploring how to achieve long-term peace in the region.

Observer Research Foundation 68 likes, 1 comment. "Discovering the “Mantra” for Peace in the Middle East"

The sudden positive turn in - ties has alarmed Beijing, where questions are being raised about the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ( ) and ’s so-called ‘iron friendship’ with Pakistan.

This paper by Antara Singh analyses the ongoing debates in China’s policy and strategic circles. It finds an emerging unease over the dramatic reset in US-Pakistan ties under .0 which, in turn, is forcing China to quietly adjust its pace of cooperation with Pakistan. For China, the lesson being learnt is the impermanence of friends, and for Pakistan, China’s word of caution is that in its bid to reap benefits from the two competing superpowers—the US and China—it could end up losing the trust of both.

Read it here 👉

The Future of China and Pakistan’s ‘Iron Friendship’ An analysis of China Pakistan relations as US engagement reshapes regional strategy, impacting economic ties, defence cooperation, and trust.