Explore our collection of research papers, blogs, and policy briefs on international law, relations, and diplomacy.
Get notified when we publish new research papers, policy briefs, and analysis.
Showing 4 publications
The Newsletter covers the recent news from all around the world, pieces from young scholars and students working and studying in the field of International Law and International Affairs
The Korean War Armistice was a historic ceasefire that led to a pause after three years of bloody warfare in Korea; however, it failed to provide for permanent peace. This paper discusses the sequence of events leading to the signing of the armistice, the challenges faced during negotiations, the legal doubts created, and the geopolitical ramifications that continue to shape the Korean Peninsula and the world order. An armistice signed under military rather than political authority, and without the consent of South Korea for that matter, is merely a temporary and frail cessation of hostilities instead of being a conclusive resolution of the conflict. This report argues that the armistice institutionalized division and militarization and stresses the need for the conclusion of a permanent peace treaty. It finishes by offering suggestions for diplomatic and legal solutions meant to end the frozen conflict.
This feature essay explores the urgent need to recognize ecocide—severe environmental destruction—as the fifth core international crime under the Rome Statute. Tracing its origins from the Vietnam War to modern ecological disasters like the Amazon deforestation and the Deepwater Horizon spill, the essay critiques the current legal void in addressing peacetime ecological harm. It argues that criminalizing ecocide would establish personal liability for policymakers and corporations, shift legal paradigms from anthropocentric to eco-centric, and foster global environmental justice. Written by Ishita Jain, the essay outlines legal pathways, case studies, and normative implications for integrating ecocide into international criminal law.
This report explores the complex political and legal questions surrounding the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama and its wider impact on Sino-Indian relations. As the Dalai Lama nears 90, the issue of who will succeed him has become a geopolitical flashpoint. China insists on state control over the process, while the Tibetan community and its global supporters argue for a religiously autonomous selection. The paper examines India’s dual role—offering refuge to Tibetan exiles while adhering to the One China policy—and the potential diplomatic consequences of rival Dalai Lama claimants. It also evaluates the relevance of international law, including religious freedom and statelessness, in this succession debate. Authored by Amritha Ravindra Palissery and Purna Sai Vaishnavi Ravi under the Centre for International Law, International Relations, and Diplomacy (CILIRD), the report offers timely insights into the future of Tibetan identity and Himalayan geopolitics.