Capt Smit Machchar

One Wounded Indian Pilot Was the Last Line of Defense; That Is the Problem

An Emirati airline, an Indian captain, Israeli passengers, and Saudi authorities all played a part. India, re-elected to the ICAO Council last year, is well placed to push these standards into global aviation rules. The best tribute to Captain Machchhar is making sure the next crew never needs a hero.

Reimagining India-Canada Relations: Towards a Mutually Beneficial Relationship for Wider Public Good

Canada hosts close to 1.9 million persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and 3% of Canada’s population, one of the largest ethnic groups in Canada’s multiethnic and multicultural society. Although immigration policy of Canada has tightened in recent years, yet a lot of students who study in Canada prefer to stay back and work in Canada acquiring permanent residency and citizenship.

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. 

More on Geopolitics, Security and Strategic Affairs

Battle to dominate global communications: Pakistan should leverage US-China rivalry for national benefit

For South Asia, particularly Pakistan, this fragmentation poses challenges but also opportunities. Pakistan’s strategic investments in its digital infrastructure, supported by both Chinese and Western technologies, could position it as a bridge between these emerging digital spheres. By fostering regional connectivity and digital cooperation, Pakistan can mitigate the risks of fragmentation and ensure that its digital economy continues to thrive in a multipolar world.

Why climate change needs to figure more prominently in Indian political discourse

India needs to have a robust competitive framework where political parties ideate, brainstorm and debate on how to give more teeth to the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change(MoEFCC), create bodies like the USA's EPA and ensure all environmental laws, disaster management work in tandem under the Gaia’s hypothesis highlighting the “One-Health Approach”.

The potential of regional social spending in India's soft power projection

Apart from being the largest country in the region in terms of geography and economy, New Delhi’s responsibilities as an important player in South Asia also rest on its efforts to improve the region's social and economic parameters. 

Challenges in building a new Bangladesh: Yunus has his work cut out

India offered unqualified support to Hasina over the last decade or so. For India, it will be a major challenge to see how it builds a relationship when a new democratic government emerges in Bangladesh. China had invested more in infrastructure in Bangladesh in the last decade or so; and the relationship was improving. But it did not interfere in domestic political issues.

The Kamala Harris story personifies rising Indian American aspirations in a changing America

M R Rangaswami, Silicon Vally entrepreneur, angel investor and philanthropist, and a community leader who founded Indiaspora, said: "I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would have an Indian American running for President of the United States but this is now a reality".

Hasina’s legacy: Stellar growth marred by political stagnation, stalled democracy

The considerable economic progress under Hasina's governance starkly contrasts with the stagnation in political reforms. Persistent issues such as limited press freedom, corruption, and inadequate improvements in democracy, rule of law, and human rights have marred her administration’s record

Bangladesh at crossroads: Expectations high from interim government on restoration of democracy

The interim government is led by civilian leadership. However, the extent of military control in this government remains unclear. According to some political observers, even if not officially present, the military will have a significant influence on this government. 

After Olympian rivalry, a lesson in civility from Indian and Pakistani mothers

At a time when unvarnished animus for one another is often the norm in India and Pakistan, not to mention Bangladesh now, the two simple women have offered a lesson in decency, dignity and civility.

The unending agony of Afghan women: Caught in the stranglehold of a deeply patriarchal society

Rural women have said that the physical and sexual security of women was strongly protected under the Taliban regime. The women in Afghanistan are caught in a conundrum. While they resent systemic social repression and denial of gender rights under the Taliban regime, the return of political instability in the country they fear can increase their physical and sexual insecurity.

Rampant smuggling across Afghan-Pak border jeopardising regional security

Smuggling activities along the Afghan border are often linked with militant groups and organized crime. The illegal trade of arms has contributed to the proliferation of the "Kalashnikov culture" across the length and breadth of Pakistan. 

Nightmare returns in Bangladesh: Extremists aim to destabilise country under guise of student protest

Given the nature of these 'student' demonstrations, it is apparent that Bangladesh faces serious danger from a network of underground political activists and extremists aiming to destabilise the country. These issues are putting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership to the test

Securing the digital frontier: India needs to adopt a holistic strategy to strengthen cybersecurity

Google and Facebook, which collect vast amounts of user data, will be required to overhaul their data-handling practices to meet the stringent requirements of the bill. Critics argue that certain provisions grant excessive power to the government, potentially undermining the very privacy protections the bill seeks to establish.

The growing salience of India’s state governments in expansion of India-UAE ties

A growing area of cooperation between India and the UAE is agriculture. UAE has committed to setting up three food parks in India - in the states of Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh - at an estimated cost of $2 billion to address the issue of food security as both countries had also agreed to set up a food corridor. 

Bangladesh's quota movement: From peaceful protests to attempt at 'Bengali Spring'?

It is undeniable that although the movement was initially for quota reform, it later took the shape of a movement to overthrow the government. It was an attempt to taste power through undemocratic, back-alley, violent means. An attempt was made to create a "Bengali Spring: in Bangladesh in the style of the Arab Spring.

Exponential growth in India-Saudi Arabia relations: Moving past the Pakistan factor

The inclusion of the military dimension in India-Saudi Arabia relations is of great strategic significance which is expected to gain more momentum in the future.