June 25, 2020, is the 45th anniversary of the infamous Emergency imposed on the country by Mrs. Gandhi, even while countrywide protests had erupted against her continuation in power, writes Vinod Aggarwal for South Asia Monitor
In Pakistan's and Turkiye's Military Commitment, the Mecca Pact Faces its First Litmus Test
It would also explain why Pakistan is trying to preserve a distinction between supporting Saudi Arabia and fighting the Houthis. Pakistan has every reason to avoid another open-ended conflict in the Middle East. Its military is heavily committed to its own security challenges. Its economy cannot easily absorb the political and financial consequences
EU and India Should Cooperate Strategically on Middle East Stability
EU and India could establish a regular EU–India-Middle East Consultative Mechanism involving foreign-policy officials and experts. Its purpose would be to coordinate positions before major international gatherings and meetings.
Sri Lanka’s Ruling Marxists-Leninists on Delhi, Beijing Visits: Embracing Diplomatic Pragmatism?
For Sri Lankan politics, this is more than diplomatic sightseeing. It raises a fundamental question whether the JVP is developing a sophisticated strategy of balancing relations with India and China or is it gradually adapting itself to the organisational models of powerful one-party or dominant-party systems in China and India respectively?
Continuing Kuki-Naga Conflict is a Threat to Northeast India's Security
The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has caused an influx of armed cadres (Meitei, Naga and Kuki) into Manipur's border tracts like Kamjong district, further squeezing finite land resources and aggravating historical territorial disputes. What began as a localized dispute under the state's newly elected government in February 2026 has escalated into intense, multi-district armed warfare.
More on Geopolitics, Security and Strategic Affairs
India-China border clash: Is there a way forward? (Part II of three-part series)
We need to step out of the stated and irrevocable positions taken, think out of the box, accept existing ground realities, create the right atmospherics amongst the people and international community and come up with a pragmatic solution, writes Lt Gen P R Kumar (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Indian Army must be allowed to respond appropriately to Chinese border bullying
The gloves are indeed off. Now New Delhi must ensure that the Indian Army’s mountain corps is made fully ready to foil further Chinese military moves, writes Anil Bhat for South Asia Monitor
Recasting Chief of Defence Staff role: Need to generate a culture of strategic thinking in India
Potential Indian defence ministers will have to be qualified to carry out the duties and responsibilities of that office effectively. This will automatically generate a culture of strategic thinking in the political rank and file, writes Lt Gen (Dr) Yash Malhotra (retd) for South Asia Monitor
India and China: Twain can never meet
The Chinese are extremely wary and suspicious of India's growing closeness with the US and feel that the US was seeking to "draw a line" around China, writes Tarun Basu for South Asia Monitor
Chinese ingress in eastern Ladakh a collusive move with Pakistan?
China’s message to India is loud and clear that it has absolutely no intention to withdraw soon. It has also proved that the collusive support of China and Pakistan to each other against India has been translated into reality, writes Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy (retd) for South Asia Monitor
COVID-19 has worsened the dire humanitarian crisis in Rohingya camps in Bangladesh
Since Bangladesh is among the lowest testing countries, Rohingyas living in these makeshift camps are largely deprived of testing for COVID-19, writes Shanjida Shahab Uddin for South Asia Monitor
As South Asia battles COVID-19, time for strengthening regional trade connectivity
Experts feel that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about new opportunities for regional cooperation in South Asia with the setting up of an emergency fund of $10 million to fight the pandemic with India's initiative, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor
India-China dynamics in turbulent times: Civilisational ties and border dispute (Part I of three-part series)
While India never had hegemonistic tendencies, China the ‘middle power’ always wanted to restore its past glory by any means, which included grabbing/occupying land and maritime zones based on its perception of past ownership, writes Lt Gen P R Kumar (retd) for South Asia Monitor
India’s battle against COVID-19: Response efficiency has varied from state to state
The efficiency of response has varied across India. Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and the Northeastern states responded well, with strong public health measures combined with empathetic social services, writes Prof. K. Srinath Reddy for South Asia Monitor
Souring India-Nepal ties
China has made all-out efforts to draw Nepal into its strategic sphere and has stoked anti-India feelings, writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Cooperative security in South Asia: Subregional groups can show the way
In SAARC political agenda always dominated social and economic issues, whereas in successful regional organizations like ASEAN and EU, socio-economic issues prevailed over politics, writes Aneek Chatterjee for South Asia Monitor
India-China border dispute: Is a give and take possible now?
The immediate task is to get the PLA to leave Galwan without loss of face. On the other hand, could this just be the opportunity for the two sides to settle new LACs in the three sectors? writes Mohan Guruswamy for South Asia Monitor
Afghan media working under constant threat
The militants and various violent groups want to suppress the 'voice of reason' and in doing so they target the media with utmost force and hatred. The factor of impunity is one of the main reasons for continued atrocity towards Afghan journalists and media, writes Dr. Sanchita Bhattacharya for South Asia Monitor
India–Australia summit: A meeting of minds
With shared concerns over Chinese hegemony, the time is right for a closer engagement between New Delhi and Canberra, writes Amit Dasgupta for South Asia Monitor
