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CWA # 1535, 7 November 2024
Conflict Weekly
India-China Border Disengagement and Floods in Spain

  IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #253, 7 November 2024, Vol.5, No.45
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI

Femy Francis and Binod Khanal

India-China Border Disengagement 
Femy Francis
 
In the news
On 4 November, the Indian Army resumed patrolling in the Depsang region in Ladakh after a similar move in Demchok the previous week. It came after India and China agreed to disengage in the Eastern sector. On 5 November, India’s Minister of Foreign Affairs S Jaishankar stated that while the disengagement is concluded, it’s time for de-escalation by building up forces along the LAC. 

On 21 October, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated: “Agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, leading to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020.” The agreement was affirmed by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the 2024 BRICS summit. 

Issues at large
First, a brief note on the confrontation in Galwan. The skirmish began weeks before the confrontation on 15 June 2020. The valley became the hotspot after India built a road along the Galwan river close to the LAC. In May 2020, Chinese soldiers set up tents, shifted equipment and dug trenches in the Indian territory. India’s Ministry of External Affairs accounted the clash a retaliation against the Chinese side trying to “change the status quo.” Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Indian soldiers of deliberate provocation leading to an altercation. Since the Galwan clash, several meetings continued to de-escalate the situation. This led to the 2021 synchronized disengagement in the Southern and Northern parts of Pangong Tso of the Eastern sector. 

Second, a brief note on geographical border-sharing points of contention. India shares 3,488 kilometres of border with China. This border runs along the five states of India: Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force established Border Out Posts (BOPs) beside the LAC. These outposts are divided into three sectors: Western Sector (Jammu and Kashmir), Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), and the Eastern Sector (Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh). As of 2023, there are over 180 BOPs in the LAC. Another point of contention is the Pangong Tso which has the eight Fingers marking the LAC. China believes it has access until Finger 4, while India claims territory until Finger 8. Currently, India has access until the Finger 3. 

Third, a brief note on standoffs and negotiations. Following the 1962 India- China war there were two major clashes - the 1967 standoff at the Nathu La border in Sikkim and the 1975 clash at the Tulung La pass. Then there were standoffs in 1987, 2013, and 2017, which were successfully de-escalated. The last two major clashes were the Doklam standoff in 2017 and the Galwan Valley crisis in 2020. After the 2020 skirmish, the border question came to the forefront. In 2021, there was a disengagement agreement in the Hot Springs and Panging Tso regions. For years, India and China engaged in bilateral meetings to resolve the border issues. India’s National Security Advisor and China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs met on the sidelines of international events and discussed the border issues. China-India has engaged in 21 Corps Commander Level Meetings to resolve the contentions. 
 
In perspective
First, aim to de-escalate not reclaim. The end goal of this particular agreement is to come back to the status quo before the 2020 standoff. The Indian or Chinese government does not aim to resolve or cede the boundary contentions through this particular agreement. Both countries stand firm in their claims in the region. In particular, for India, it wants to gain access to patrolling points that have been blocked. China has agreed to secede the parts for patrolling which were under India prior 2020 incident. 

Second, border skirmish and contention to reoccur. While the Eastern sector saw a successful disengagement, it wouldn’t lead to blind trust as both countries will continue to be cautious of each other. Border contentions are complicated, ingrained in both country's memory, and are at the heart of contention. The agreement has to be viewed with a narrow lens as it had the precise aim of engaging in limited normalcy only in the particular region. Other regions of contention will continue to face skirmishes. 

Spain: Devastating Floods and its Aftermath
Binod Khanal
 
In the news
On 29 October, torrential rain affected several regions in eastern Spain, causing flash floods, particularly in the Valencia region. Spain has been facing severe flooding, the worst in decades, with at least 217 fatalities reported, primarily in Valencia. The central government deployed over 10,000 troops and police officers to assist with rescue and relief operations. Concerns remain that the casualty may increase, as rescue teams have access to previously isolated areas. 

On 30 October, Spain's national meteorological office, Aemet, reported that on the 29th of October, parts of Valencia, including the towns of Turis, and Chiva or Bunol, recorded more than 400 millimetres of rainfall within eight hours. It started with a storm with extraordinary rainfall, particularly in Chiva, where an eight-hour deluge exceeded the previous 20 months of rainfall. Floodwaters inundated the Magro and Turia river basins and overflowed the Poyo riverbed, submerging roads, railways, homes, and businesses. 

Issues at large
First, the delayed warnings. Spain's national meteorological office (Aemet) had issued warnings during the initial days of the rain. However, Valencia’s regional authorities delayed sending text alerts by about 12 hours on the day of the storm, when floodwaters were already surging. When they warned residents to seek shelter, many people were exposed to rising water levels, and trapped in vehicles or underground garages. This delay provoked public criticism over the tardiness of alerts and the perceived slow response of emergency services. Further rains are predicted in the region, which has compounded the challenges for emergency responders.

Second, a brief note on DANA. The primary reason for the floods in Valencia has been the destructive weather phenomenon known as the Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA) or a high-altitude isolated depression. This phenomenon usually occurs when cold air from higher altitudes moves over the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This temperature variation creates instability, with the colder air at higher altitudes sitting over warmer and moist air near the surface. It creates rapid upward movement of warm air, forming dense rain clouds. These clouds can remain stationary over an area for extended periods, resulting in intense and prolonged downpours. 

In this instance, DANA was aggravated by such a low-pressure storm system. The storm effectively became "trapped" over Valencia, unable to move due to the high atmospheric pressure surrounding it. Thus, it resulted in torrential rains over a relatively small area. Many climate experts link this instability to the record-high temperatures of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Third, the vulnerability of the region. Eastern and southern Spain, in particular, are vulnerable to similar extreme weather events because of their geographic location, where warm and humid air from the Mediterranean meets cooler Atlantic fronts, often in mountainous regions. Autumn rainfall is common in this part of Spain, and floods have occurred in recent years, especially during this time of the year. 
 
In perspective
First, frequent extreme weather events in Spain. Spain has endured climate extremes in recent years, with a severe drought in the northeastern region. The dry heat has also hardened the soil surface, thereby water runs off rather than being absorbed, increasing the frequency of floods.

Second, climate change and its links to similar extreme weather events. Climate change has escalated DANA’s frequency and impact. Warmer seas generate more heat and moisture resulting in larger and more powerful storms. Along with these heightened factors, climate scientists warn that as the Mediterranean continues to warm, the region can expect more frequent and intense storms, accentuating the broader influence of climate change on weather patterns and extreme events. Such floods highlight the need to enhance early warning systems to swiftly get people out of harm’s way.
 

Issues in Peace and Conflict This Week:
Regional Roundups
Rohini Reenum, Femy Francis, Anu Maria Joseph, Padmashree Anandhan, Ayan Datta, Samruddi Pathak, Sayeka Ghosh and Neha Tresa George

China, East, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific
China: US lawmakers against Beijing’s adoption ban
On 2 November, a bipartisan group of 103 US lawmakers urged President Joe Biden to intervene after China halted its foreign child adoption program. This has affected around 300 Chinese children, matched with families in the US. The Chinese government has allegedly cited vague reasons for deferring the process. According to Taiwan News, analysts think that this move is partly driven by escalated US-China tensions, lowering fertility rates and increasing ageing population. 

Japan: Defence ministry’s communication satellite launched 
On 4 November, Japan launched an H3 rocket with a Ministry of Defence communications satellite. The H3 rocket will orbit the satellite at an altitude of 36 thousand kilometres along with two other operational satellites. It aims to improve communication for Japan’s defence forces. The rocket was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd and launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre. 

South Korea: Trilateral drills with the US and Japan
On 3 November, South Korea, the US and Japan conducted a trilateral drill, with a combined air drill off the east coast of the Southern Peninsula. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said: “During the drills, South Korean, U.S. and Japanese fighter jets escorted the U.S. heavy bomber over waters where the air defence identification zones of South Korea and Japan overlap.” The JCS added that the drills were to prove the bomber's precision strike capabilities. The US Indo-Pacific Command stated that the drill aimed to empower an immediate response to the increasing regional security challenges. JCS stated that the “exercise took place in response to North Korea's launch of an ICBM on 31 October.”

North Korea: Short-range ballistic missiles launched into Korea’s eastern Peninsula
On 5 November, North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles into Korea’s eastern peninsula. On the same day, the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, criticized the US for flying B-1B bombers with South Korea and Japan as a part of a trilateral air drill. Kim Yo-jong stated that this year the US and its allies have played several war games by imitating the usage of nuclear weapons against North Korea. She added: “Among anti-Pyongyang military exercises cited by Kim were the South Korea-US-Japan multi-domain exercise Freedom Edge and South Korea-US tabletop exercise Iron Mace. It is an undeniable reality that the destruction of the balance of power on the Korean peninsula and in the region would mean war.” Meanwhile, South Korea’s Joint Chief Staff stated that the launches of missiles were illegal and violated the UN Security Council Resolutions.

North Korea: Foreign minister calls for nuclear weapons development cooperation with Russia
On 1 November, North Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Son-hui spoke with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov about Pyongyang’s resolve to upgrade its nuclear arsenal. Choi stated that the Korean Peninsula could become “explosive at any moment” over the US-South Korea military alliance. She assured complete solidarity with Russia’s moves in Ukraine and said: “North Korea would always stand firmly next to” its “Russian comrades.” Lavrov mentioned that “very close cooperation” has been established between both countries through the “military and security services.” The meeting hints at closer military ties between both countries. Additionally, Pyongyang insisted on the nuclear weapons development program. Choi stated that the regional challenges “require more than ever to strengthen our modern strategic offensive nuclear weapons, as well as improve our readiness for a nuclear response.”

South Korea: President Yoon promises to strengthen security over North Korean troops in Russia
On 4 November, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and President Yoon Suk Yeol promised to strengthen security and defence amidst security concerns over the North Korean troops in Russia. Yoon said: “The recent international security situation and the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia pose a significant threat to our national security. We will thoroughly review all possible scenarios to prepare countermeasures.”

The Philippines: Typhoon Yinxing raises alarm
On 5 November, The Straits Times reported on the measures taken by the Philippines for Typhoon Yinxing. The authorities have called for evacuations and stockpiled food as the storm is set to hit. According to the Defence Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, the communities in the remote areas were asked to evacuate earlier due to the inaccessibility during floods. He said: “Food is being stockpiled, soldiers are on standby to help in rescue efforts, and dams are releasing water ahead of time to prevent flooding.” The storm is expected to bring torrential rain to the northern province of Cagayan on 7 and 8 November. Around 24 million people could be affected by the typhoon. It is the third in less than a month following Storm Trami and Super Typhoon Kong-rey.

Malaysia: Vietnam’s reef expansion condemned
On 4 November, The Straits Times reported on Malaysia's complaint letter to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the alleged expansion of the Barque Canada Reef in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea. Vietnam has allegedly constructed numerous infrastructures and an airstrip on the reef. Both countries claim sovereignty over this structure. Vietnam has not responded to the allegations.

Indonesia: First naval military drill with Russia
On 4 November, the naval forces of Indonesia and Russia commenced the first joint military training drills in the Java Sea, near Indonesia’s Surabaya city, east of Jakarta. Four Russian warships were reported to have arrived in Indonesia for the drill. According to a Russian delegation, the exercise aimed to exchange knowledge. Indonesia’s navy spokesperson said that the drills intended to improve their “international partnership.” However, no further details were provided on the exercise.

Indonesia: Laki-Laki volcano eruption causes death and destruction
On 4 November, The Straits Times reported on the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province. The eruption led to a power outage and heavy rain with lightning. The authorities called for a seven-kilometre radius clearance. The fiery lava and sediments burnt and damaged the houses nearby; ten people were killed. Rescue missions evacuated residents to other villages. Indonesia’s disaster agency has warned of further flash floods and cold lava flows. 

South Asia
Pakistan: Additional counterterrorism force deployed in Balochistan
On 3 November, the federal government deployed 31 units of the Pakistan Army and 107 wings of the Frontier Corps in Balochistan to address the prevailing law and order issue. Besides, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) launched an operation in the Musakhel district. Subsequently, a CTD spokesperson announced that three terrorists were killed while two others were arrested in the region. The terrorists belonged to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), active in the Rarhasham area. 

Pakistan: Seven terrorists killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan
On 4 November, the security forces killed seven terrorists in separate operations conducted in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, six “khwaraij” were killed in two incidents. One terrorist was killed in North Waziristan when a group of five terrorists was intercepted by the security forces while attempting to cross the Afghanistan border. One terrorist was killed in the Noshki district, Balochistan, during an exchange of fire.

Pakistan: COAS appeals to global actors to intervene in Kashmir and Palestine
On 5 November, The Express Tribune reported that the Chief of General Staff Asim Munir demanded the world intervene and stop the alleged violation of human rights in Kashmir and Palestine. The remarks were made at the 28th conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centers in Islamabad. The UN Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix applauded Pakistan’s efforts and contribution towards UN peacekeeping missions.

India: J&K Chief Minister condemns grenade attack in Srinagar market
On 3 November, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah condemned the grenade attacks at a flea market in Srinagar. 11 civilians sustained injuries. In an X post, Abdullah stated that the security forces must take every possible action “to end this spurt of attacks at the earliest so that people can go about their lives without any fear.” 

India: Clashes in Ontario’s Hindu Sabha Mandir
On 4 November, responding to the recent violent clashes at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Ontario, Prime Minister Narendra Modi contended the “deliberate attack on a Hindu temple.” He called upon the Canadian government to uphold “justice” and “the rule of law” as violence was a “cowardly attempt at intimidating” Indian diplomats. These comments came as India’s Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah was alleged of been involved in the assassination of a Khalistan separatist group leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This violence erupted after protests were staged by pro-Khalistan groups in three separate locations. Sikhs for Justice group stated that the pro-Khalistan group protested against the Indian consulate officials as they visited the temple to extend administrative services. The group further claimed that the fighting was provoked by Hindu nationalists and alleged that the officials visit such places to target Sikh separatists. 

India: Maoists attack policemen with knives in Chhattisgarh
On 3 November, a group of four or five Maoists attacked two policemen men in the Jagargunda market area, Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. The former looted the police weapons and attacked them with knives. The two security personnel were part of a group of 20, stationed for bandobast duty.

Bangladesh: Arakan Army abducts 20 fishermen from Jaliapara
On 5 November, at the confluence of the Naf River, the Arakan Army from Myanmar was reported abducting 20 Bangladeshi fishermen along with 15 fishermen boats near the Naikhongdia area. The fishermen who hailed from the Jaliapara area of Shapuree Island were abducted after the Arakan Army arrived in large boats and held them at gunpoint. According to a member of the Subrang Union Parishad in Teknaf, the fishermen were carrying out their activities at an estuary on 13 non-engine and two engine boats.

The Middle East and Africa
Israel: US envoy gives Netanyahu 60-day ceasefire proposal on Lebanon
On 30 October, a state-owned news broadcaster, the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation, released a draft of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement. The Israeli agency claimed that it was offered to the Netanyahu government by US diplomat Amos Hochstein. The agreement was titled “Announcement of a Cessation of Hostilities and Related Commitments on Enhanced Security Arrangements and Toward the Implementation of UNSCR 1701.” It was between Israel and Lebanon and included a 60-day-long temporary ceasefire or “implementation period.” During the period, Israel and Hezbollah would stop attacks against each other, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) would deploy (in phases) 10,000 soldiers to southern Lebanon and “dismantle and confiscate all military assets, arms and infrastructure of all non-state armed groups south of the” Litany River, and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701. However, the proposal left both Israel and Lebanon free to exercise “their inherent right of self-defence.” The draft agreement proposed an independent Monitoring and Enforcement Mechanism (IMEM) to address ceasefire violations. If conditions are found to be peaceful, the IMEM would declare the ceasefire permanent, ending the Israel-Hezbollah hostilities.

Israel: IDF’s continuing military operations in Gaza 
On 4 November, Israel conducted airstrikes in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya region, killing 16 Palestinians as part of its efforts to prevent Hamas from reconstituting its forces. Previously, on 2 November, the Israel Defence Forces stated that it killed the Head of National Relations in Hamas Political Bureau, Izz al-Din Kassab, in an airstrike in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis city. The IDF stated that Kasasb was “one of the last remaining members of Hamas” alive in Gaza, alleging that he was responsible for Hamas's strategic and military relations with other Palestinian groups in the enclave. Separately, the IDF announced that it had killed 900 Palestinian armed fighters since the beginning of their renewed operations in northern Gaza’s Jabalia city. Furthermore, it detained 700 Palestinians and confirmed 300 of them to be members of armed groups. On the same day, the IDF intensified its operations in the city, deploying Israel’s largest infantry brigade, the Kfir Brigade, to join the Girvati and Iron Tracks brigades already operating in Jabalia. According to the IDF, the Kfir Brigade specializes in urban and guerilla warfare because it was originally established to combat “Palestinian terror” in the West Bank. 
 
Egypt: Hamas-Fatah talks in Cairo on Gaza’s post-war governance 
On 2 November, Reuters reported that leaders from Fatah and Hamas held meetings in Cairo to discuss forming a joint committee for managing Gaza’s post-war governance. Egypt arranged the meetings and put forward the proposal to form a joint committee of the rival Palestinian factions as part of their ceasefire mediations in Gaza and increased humanitarian access to the enclave. Previously, Hamas and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas met in Cairo in October to discuss the same proposal. However, the talks were adjourned for unknown reasons.

Israel: Four Israeli troops killed in Gaza; IDF death toll at 780 
On 3 November, according to The Times of Israel, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced the death of a soldier in northern Gaza by a grenade explosion. Previously, on 2 November, two Israeli soldiers were killed in the northern Gaza Strip. Additionally, on 1 November, IDF Captain Yarden Zakay of the Givati Brigade who was injured in Rafah in September, succumbed to his injuries. The deaths raised the number of IDF personnel fatalities since 7 October 2023 to 780.

Israel: Alleged Hezbollah member captured in northern Lebanon
On 2 November, the Guardian reported that the Israel Navy’s special forces captured and abducted an alleged “senior operative of Hezbollah,” Imad Amhaz, in northern Lebanon’s Tripoli city and transported him to Israeli territory. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported: “An unidentified military force carried out a landing operation on the beach of Batroun, and moved … to a chalet near the beach, where it kidnapped the citizen Imad Amhaz and … left by speedboats to the open sea.” However, Lebanon’s caretaker Minister of Transport, Ali Hamieh, claimed Amhaz was a civilian boat captain. He accused Israel of violating UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The country’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that Lebanon would complain to the UN Security Council about Israel’s conduct and asked the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the UN peacekeeping mission to investigate the matter.

Israel: Continuing tit-for-tat IDF-Hezbollah airstrikes 
On 2 November, Reuters reported that rockets from Lebanon, presumed to be fired by Hezbollah, struck central Israel’s Tira city, injuring 11 civilians. On the previous day, 1 November, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that the IDF conducted airstrikes on over 12 towns in southern Lebanon’s Baalbek region, killing 52 people. On the same day, the IDF claimed that it killed two Hezbollah commanders in southeastern Lebanon’s Tyre city. However, Hezbollah did not confirm the deaths.

South Africa: Border with Mozambique closed over election unrest
On 6 November, BBC reported that South Africa closed one of its borders with Mozambique over post-election violence. Mozambique’s disputed elections, the victory of the ruling Frelimo party in October and protests that followed led to violent clashes countrywide. BBC quoted News24 that South African police had to fire rubber bullets and stun grenades at Mozambicans trying to cross the Lebombo border. South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) stated: "Due to these security incidents and in the interest of public safety, the port has been temporarily closed until further notice.” 

Uganda: 13 children killed at refugee camp from lightning strikes
On 3 November, BBC reported that 13 children were killed in a lightning strike at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda. According to the UN refugee agency, the camp is home to more than 80,000 refugees, with the majority from Sudan and South Sudan. 

Comoros: 25 people killed after smugglers capsize boat
On 4 November, Al Jazeera quoted the International Organization of Migration (IOM) that human traffickers deliberately capsized a boat off the coast of Comoros, killing 25 people. The boat sank between the Comoros island of Anjouan and the French island of Mayotte, an often-used migration route. Many refugees pay smugglers for dangerous sea crossing on boats known as “kwassa-kwassa.” IOM stated: “IOM Comoros is saddened to hear about the deaths of at least 25 people after their boat was deliberately capsized by traffickers off Comoros Islands, between Anjouan and Mayotte on Friday night.” 

Nigeria: Minor protesters released after public outcry
On 4 November Nigeria’s Minister of Information Mohammed Idris stated that President Bola Tinubu had directed the release of all minors arrested during the protests against the rising cost of lining in August. At least 30 minors were arrested under the charges of treason and inciting a military coup. The arrest of minors sparked public outrage. Several international human rights groups including Amnesty International condemned the detention of minors. They called it “one of the deadliest attempts to suppress freedom of assembly.” According to the group, at least 20 people were killed during the violent protests.

Europe and The Americas
Russia: The military targets Ukraine’s energy infrastructures 
On 4 November, Russia Today reported that Russia carried out airstrikes on energy infrastructure in Ukraine. Russia’s Ministry of Defence informed that the Russian Armed Forces targeted energy facilities and an oil refinery used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Additionally, the ministry stated that Russia targeted UAV workshops and storage sites for unmanned boats. Russian forces used tactical aviation, drones, missiles and artillery during the strikes. Russian air defence systems additionally shot down launch rocket systems, guided aerial bombs and UAVs launched by Ukraine. 

Ukraine: Russian drone attacks cause large-scale destruction
On 2 November, Deutsche Welle reported that Russian drone attacks caused widespread damage across the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. The Head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Popko, informed that falling drone debris caused damage to the entrance and windows of at least five buildings in the districts of Holosiivskyi and Shevchenkivskyi. Buildings, roads, and power lines were damaged by the drone strikes. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force informed that Russia launched 96 attack drones and one X-59/69 missile at Ukraine.

Finland: Snow-preserving mats for ailing ski resorts affected by climate change
On 1 November, The Guardian reported that Finland has begun using the traditional method of ice preservation to save ski resorts as climate change has lessened winters. Alpe du Grand Serre, a former ski resort in France, had to shut down because of its inability to be operational throughout the year. Finland, using their traditional technology of utilizing sawdust to prevent melt, has introduced snow-saving mats. The mats are being used in Switzerland, Norway and Spain. 

About the authors
Akriti Sharma and Rohini Reenum are PhD Scholars at NIAS. Padmashree Anandhan and Anu Maria Joseph are Research Associates at NIAS. Femy Francis, Neha Tresa George, Sayeka Ghosh, Samruddhi Pathak and Nuha Aamina are Research Assistants at NIAS. Advik S Mohan and Sachin Aravind are Research Interns at NIAS. Ayan Datta is a Postgraduate Student at the University of Hyderabad. Binod Khanal is a PhD Scholar at Centre for European Studies, JNU, New Delhi.

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