Agarwal, Rajeev

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Colonel Rajeev Agarwal (Retd) was commissioned into Regiment of Artillery in June 1990. An alumnus of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has had varied operational and service experience for over 30 years. He has commanded his Regiment on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. He has been a Military Observer with the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He has served as a Director in the Military Intelligence Directorate for three years handling key international issues. He was also a Research Fellow at MP-IDSA, New Delhi from September 2012 to September 2014.

Prior to assuming charge as Assistant Director (Admn), MP-IDSA on August 28, 2020, Colonel Agarwal was Director at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

Select Publications“Escalating Tensions and Threat of Military Conflict in the Gulf Region: Who has the Edge”, Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), July 01, 2019.“Terror at Pulwama – ‘Game Over’ for Pakistan”, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), February 15, 2019. “The Iranian Regime and the US Pull out from Nuclear Deal: Mounting Trouble or a Timely Lifeline”, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), June 02, 2018.

“The Increasing Control of the Armed Forces: The Deteriorating Security Situation in Egypt”, in Sanjay Singh (ed.), West Asia in Transition-Volume II, DPG and IDSA, Pentagon Press, New Delhi, March 2018.

“Gulf Security Architecture and the GCC: Time to Shed Past Baggage and Start Anew”, in Prasanta Kumar Pradhan (ed.), Geopolitical Shifts in West Asia: Trends and Implications, IDSA, Pentagon Press, New Delhi, 2016.

“Role of Militaries in the West Asian Region and Engagement Options for India”, in Arundhati Ghose (ed.), West Asia in Transition, IDSA and DPG Publication, 2015.“Egypt’s Uneasy Transition: Internal and External Dynamics and Challenges for India”, IDSA Occasional Paper No. 35, August 2014.“Threat of Israel’s Regional Isolation and Imperatives for the Future”, IDSA Occasional Paper No. 34, June 2014.“Turkey and its Quest for Leadership Role in the West Asian Region”, IDSA Monograph Series No. 32, January 2014.

“Afghanistan Post-2014: Can India Emerge as a Key ‘Security Collaborator’?”, in S D Muni and Vivek Chadha (eds.), Asian Strategic Review 2015: India as a Security Provider, IDSA, Pentagon Press, New Delhi, 2014.

“US Pivot to the Asia Pacific: Impact and Implications for West Asia”, in S. D. Muni and Vivek Chadha (eds.), Asian Strategic Review 2014: US Pivot and Asian Security, IDSA. Pentagon Press, New Delhi, 2014 (co-authored).

“Security in the Gulf Region: India’s Concerns, Vulnerabilities, Interests and Engagement Options”, in Rumel Dahiya (ed.), Developments in the Gulf Region: Prospects and Challenges For India in the Next Two Decades, IDSA, Pentagon Press, New Delhi, 2013.

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Publication

Arab League: Time to Evolve Amidst Changing Discourse in the Region

Assistant Director, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s article ‘Arab League: Time to evolve amidst changing discourse in the region’ has been published by WION on 19 May 2023.

Coming at a time amidst a major churn in the geopolitics of the region, this could be a landmark summit of the Arab League. Already, the Saudi-Iran peace deal brokered by China in March 2023 is taking shape and promises to end many conflicts in the region and pave the way for a period of reconciliation and peace, says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 19 May, 2023

India: An equal partner, not a subservient ally in today’s geopolitics

Assistant Director Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s article ‘India: An equal partner, not a subservient ally in today's geopolitics’ has been published in First Post on 16 May 2023.

Unlike the US which prefers ‘either you are with us or against us’, India has always preferred equal partnerships, based on convergence and mutual interests, says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 16 May, 2023

As the Arabs and Iran reconcile, what happens to Israel?

Assistant Director, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s article ‘As the Arabs and Iran reconcile, what happens to Israel?’ has been published in Hindustan Times on 22 April 2023.

As Arabs and Iran look to make peace, Israel has lots to think about, in the region, especially it's strategy of 'seeking peace through a security prism' says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 22 April, 2023

As Russia leans towards China, should India be worried?

Assistant Director Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s article ‘As Russia leans towards China, should India be worried?’ has been published in First Post on 12 April 2023.

India's ties with Russia are too deep-rooted to be threatened by Chinese overtures with Russia. Recent events and facts too negate any such fears, says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 12 April, 2023

How Saudi-Iran rapprochement is a win-win situation for India

Assistant Director, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s article ‘How Saudi-Iran rapprochement is a win-win situation for India’ has been published in ‘First Post’ on 18 March 2023.

The Saudi-Iran peace deal opens up many trade and business opportunities for India. Prominence to 'non-dollar trade' and crude oil imports from Iran, can be among them, says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 18 March, 2023

G20 Foreign Minister’s Meet may have stalemated, but Brand India Marches on

Assistant Director, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s article ‘G20 Foreign Minister’s Meet may have stalemated, but Brand India Marches on;’ has been published in Hindustan Times on 15 March 2023.

At many global events, it has now become a regular feature for world leaders to reach out to India’s PM for a handshake or a greeting, a far cry from the past when India was not even invited at the ‘high table’…..India has thus well and truly arrived on the world stage and brand ‘India’ is well set to grow larger, stronger and popular in the coming years, says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 15 March, 2023

Iran Nuclear Deal: Dead or Alive!

Assistant Director, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s article ‘Iran Nuclear Deal: Dead or Alive!’ has been published in Bharat Shakti on 10 March 2023.
The Iran nuclear deal is in a deep coma, more dead than alive, and it will take some serious work and a major climb-down by both parties for a deal to emerge on the horizon before it is too late, says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 10 March, 2023

‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’: As world looks at India for leadership, how New Delhi should set its course

Assistant Director, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s article ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future: As world looks at India for leadership, how New Delhi should set its course’ has been published in ‘First Post’ on 17 February 2023.

India is now at the cusp of history. 75 years after independence, it is now in a position to set the global agenda and take the lead. More importantly, instead of imposing its agenda and ideas on the world, it is the world which is seeking India out, recognising its power and influence, says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 17 February, 2023

UN Security Council and India’s Inclusion: Time to End the Debate Published by T20 Secretariat

Assistant Director, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Rajeev Agarwal’s commentary ‘UN Security Council and India’s Inclusion: Time to End the Debate’ has been published by the T20 India Secretariat on 10 February 2023.

India’s seat at the UN Security Council is a foregone conclusion, therefore, it is not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’, says Col Agarwal.

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  • Published: 10 February, 2023