Image
Photo: Youtube

Knowledge diplomacy: India’s missing soft power tool

India’s superpower ambitions require a comprehensive strategy to use the Indian education sector, both private and government, towards advancing India's strategic aims and objectives. A starting point to experiment such knowledge/education diplomacy lies in its neighbourhood.

Image
Photo: Youtube

National anthems and identity crises continue to haunt South Asia

However, religion, domestic compulsions and failure to improve political conditions, with or without national elections, have embroiled Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, all compounded by economic woes, in issues that impinge on their national identity.

Image
Sri Lanka's new president swearing-in ceremony

Sri Lanka's new president: Can he deliver on economic stability and regional security?

In a way, Sri Lanka's economic crisis has served as a blessing in disguise, bringing India and Sri Lanka closer as South Asian neighbors. However, India remains concerned about security in the Indian Ocean, where China has been actively expanding its influence. 

Image
Afghan/Pakistan border, around 2020. Photo by Kathy Gannon

Isolating the Taliban is not helping Afghanistan's people: International diplomats must return to Kabul

For Afghans to find their own solutions they need an engaged international community inside Afghanistan.  The more isolated they become the more possible it is for the most regressive among the Taliban – which it must be said is not a monolith – to impose tighter and tighter controls, which is what is currently happening.