Vasuki Shastry

Splintering Global Supply Chains: Asia’s Worst Nightmare?

Disruption, diversification...decoupling?: The fracturing of global supply chains is a major concern for Asian economies

Is Asia Serious About Running the IMF?

India’s Lost Decade – and How It Can Be Reversed

India could be settling into a structural slowdown - can its leaders implement necessary reforms such as meaningful measures to promote manufacturing?

Asia 2020: Learn the Lessons of 2019

Vasuki Shastry, Associate Asia Fellow of Chatham House in London, offers lessons from the past year and considers what they may portend at the beginning of a new decade.

After the Covid-19 Pandemic, Asia Should Invest in the Environment

Asian leaders should prioritize climate initiatives before environmental distress raises the costs of action and the prospects of political and economic crises.

Two Decades On, ASEAN’s Fragile Safety Net is Untested

The purpose of the Chiang Mai Initiative should be renewed and deploying it would be a step towards ASEAN regional financial integration.

Asian Politics Needs a Youthful Disruption

A mentorship program to develop and guide the next generation of Asian leaders is urgently needed.

Asia Wakes Up To An Assertive, Hectoring America

The changing way the US wields power in the world and its tougher approach to China are forcing Asian countries to rethink their relations with Washington and Beijing.

An Asian Century Is A Long Way Off

Asia's economies cannot sustain high growth forever, social tensions are increasing and ageing government leaders lack the capacity to cope with critical challenges.

India’s Covid Crisis: Minimum Government, Minimum Governance

The second wave of coronavirus devastating India would have crippled most governments. But Narendra Modi is no ordinary leader.

Crisis Leadership Tested: Indonesia’s Response to a Covid-19 Second Wave

The country may be better served if President Joko Widodo signals a commitment to democracy by not running for a third term.

Can Covid-19 Reverse Myanmar’s Destructive Path?

The coronavirus vaccine could be a lever to change the junta’s behavior – and save lives.

Digital Trade in the Indo-Pacific: A New Flashpoint in the US-China Rivalry

Washington hopes such a deal would be a powerful counterweight to China’s efforts to impose its own digital standards in the region.

Myanmar One Year After the Coup: The Jokowi Factor

Indonesia and its leader Joko Widodo could play an important role in brokering a deal with Naypyidaw.

Sri Lanka in Turmoil: An Old-School Economic Crisis

International creditors should facilitate renegotiations of Colombo’s debt and press for efforts by the new prime minister to implement stabilizing measures and reforms

Guess Who’s Coming to the G20 Dinner: Indonesia’s Delicate Diplomatic Dance

Come what looks to be the trickiest summit ever, President Joko Widodo could bolster the G20’s relevance and Asia’s profile in world affairs.

Without Irony, India Rejoices at Rishi Sunak’s Rise

Vasuki Shastry of Chatham House examines the unappreciated irony of Sunak’s achievement, given the politics and society of India today.

The "Bleak Swan" – This Year of Living Perilously

Reviewing the ups and (mostly) downs of 2022, Vasuki Shastry of Chatham House considers the fallout from the Ukraine war, China’s Covid-19 fumbles and more