The allure of Russian oil for India, however, is more than the imperatives of energy security. It also has deep stakes with $16 billion of investments in various oil and gas projects in Russia, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asian Monitor
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement: What It Means for South Asia
New Delhi’s official response has been measured, almost pointedly so, a statement that India is “looking into the implications” rather than any dramatic condemnation. That restraint is wise, and should be read as strength rather than uncertainty. India’s ties with Saudi Arabia are too economically consequential, too carefully cultivated over the past decade, for Riyadh to jeopardize them by handing Pakistan a blank check.
The Mineral Geopolitics of the Bay of Bengal: To Win the Subterranean War, India's Maritime Strategy Needs a Paradigm Shift
The vulnerability for India lies in the asymmetry of technological readiness and the aggressive sub-surface mapping being conducted by external actors, most notably China. Beijing has been able to resource its scientific research vessels, oceanographic mapping devices, and supposed civilian ocean surveys to map the bathymetry and mineral content of the Indian Ocean Region systematically.
Growing US-China Rivalry in Indian Ocean: A Test of Sri Lanka's Foreign Policy
China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka is an immediate concern for India as the resident power in the region, but it is also a global concern for the United States.
Hasina's Return Proclamation Throws a Spanner in India-Bangladesh Ties
The Indian government is caught in a bind. Despite the BNP government’s outrage, for Delhi to hasten Hasina’s extradition is not an option.
More on Geopolitics, Security and Strategic Affairs
With street protests mounting, time running out for Sri Lanka's Rajapaksas
Given that Sri Lanka has a post-independence history of episodic JVP militancy in 1971 and 1987, there is concern about the direction the street protests may take, writes N. Sathiya Moorthy for South Asia Monitor
A 'Kaptan' makes an inglorious exit: Who will now be the Establishment's proxy in Pakistan?
On two counts – annoying Army and America, two of the three pillars on which Pakistan’s polity stands -- may block Imran Khan's future comeback. Only the third, Allah, can help, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor
Why Bangladesh won’t become a Sri Lanka or Pakistan
Bangladesh has very strong leadership, pragmatic fiscal policy and foreign reserves. The Sri Lankan case is totally different, writes Mehjabin Bhanu for South Asia Monitor
Is hate speech becoming the ‘new normal’ in India?
From within the Muslim community there are extremist elements who in the name of Islam provide much-needed provocations to majoritarian politics, writes Dr Ram Puniyani for South Asia Monitor
India has a deal with Australia: Will it be a precursor to more FTAs?
The ECTA with Australia will boost India’s confidence in signing similar trade pacts with the UK and EU, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor
A land of plenty reduced to penury: Can Sri Lankans carve a new future?
Amid Sri Lanka’s crippling shortages, Hirunika Premachandra Yatowita, daughter of a slain SLFP MP and herself a former MP from Colombo, is being seen as a new leader, writes P. Jayaram for South Asia Monitor
South Asian nations need structural adjustment to step up growth
Some major countries of South Asia have recently had Article IV consultations with the IMF since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor
Wang Yi's South Asia tour: Seeking a new world order with Chinese characteristics?
Xi has been quick to grab the opportunity to launch his own diplomatic blitzkrieg by sending his Foreign Minister Wang Yi to South Asia, writes Amb Dilip Sinha (retd) for South Asia Monitor
China needs to roll back 2020 invasion and settle border issue with India
China needs to seriously think whether it wants to continue the confrontation with India or settle the border with irrevocable guarantees, writes Lt Gen P.C. Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Blasphemy: The curse of South Asia
Governments across South Asia need to display stronger political will against violence and unrest over communal and religious issues, writes Shubham for South Asia Monitor
Kashmir Files: It will have a negative impact on carefully nurtured Kashmiriyat
The film lives to its own dialogue that showing wrong is as dangerous as hiding the truth; it totally hides the murders and exodus of Muslims, writes Dr Ram Puniyani for South Asia Monitor
The new polarizing instrument of Hindi cinema
The film has soured Hindu-Muslim relations to an extent in Kashmir - and also in the rest of the country - that the Pandits will be unable to settle down as before in close proximity with their Muslim neighbours, writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor
Bangladesh-Pakistan ties: Closing the gap, increasing the gains
The younger generation of both countries is keen to forge stronger ties between these two Muslim-majority countries in the region, writes Mehjabin Bhanu for South Asia Monitor
A missile misfire that could have gone horribly wrong
Fortunately, Pakistan never went ballistic and their reaction has averted what could have potentially led to a disastrous escalation, writes Maj Gen Jagatbir Singh (retd) for South Asia Monitor
