The upcoming election will also define Bangladesh’s relations with great powers, namely the USA, India, and China
Muizzu’s Pakistan Visit: From Diplomatic Promises to Strategic Outcomes
The Maldives, like other small states, has an interest in diversifying its international partnerships, widening its economic choices and retaining room for diplomatic manoeuvre. Engagement with Pakistan does not necessarily come at India's expense
Lessons from Dhaka: Power, Policy Choices and the Existential Dilemma Facing Small States
Three days of dialogue, debate, and engagement in Dhaka reinforced a sobering reality: despite ongoing discussions about multipolarity, middle powers, and strategic autonomy, great powers continue to shape the choices available to smaller states.
From Barracks to Embassies: Munir’s Expanding Military Footprint in Pakistan's Foreign Policy
It would be simplistic to assume that every retired general appointed as an ambassador is an instrument of Asim Munir's influence. It would be equally complacent to dismiss the wider institutional implications of placing so many former military officers in diplomatic positions across several regions.
China's Strategy of Persistent Tension: Advancing Without Crossing the Threshold of War
Arunachal Pradesh presents a particularly important dimension of the problem. China claims the northeast Indian state, refers to it as Zangnan, or South Tibet, and periodically challenges India's sovereignty through statements and the assignment of Chinese names to places within the state.
More on Geopolitics, Security and Strategic Affairs
Water security in South Asia: Need for ratification of UN water convention
No other country in the world comes close to the hydro-hegemony that China has established. From Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to Myanmar’s troubled Kachin and Shan states, China has widened its dam building to disputed or insurgency-torn areas despite local opposition.
Nuclear power is the future for Pakistan
Germany's experience with nuclear energy serves as a valuable lesson, prompting Pakistan to intensify its pursuit of nuclear energy as a practical avenue for its energy needs
Chronic water scarcity in South Asia increasing children’s vulnerability
In 2022, an overwhelming 45 million children lacked access to basic drinking water services in South Asia, according to UNICEF
The pre-emptive Hamas assault on Israel has a bitter lesson for India
With the LoC and now even LAC active around the year conventional artillery might be supplemented with Hamas-type rockets, both by China and Pakistan, Pakistan in particular. India's vital military establishments and civilian targets are right across the LoC and vulnerable to such strikes. A few jihadis from Pakistan have already threatened India with a similar strike.
War and environment: Cutting carbon footprints of militaries to save ailing climate
In Afghanistan, in addition to emitting millions of tons of carbon dioxide during the conflict, the US military footprint contributed more directly to the immediate destruction of the Afghan environment.
In a changing world order, international relations will be more issue-based than bloc-based
In a multipolar world, the relationships will be defined by the requirements in each separate space like security, economy, etc rather than gravitating wholesome to defined blocs.
Israel bans Lashkar-e-Taiba: Time for concerted global action
With the Hamas attack on the Israeli music festival on October 7, it is no surprise that Israel, after years of not acting against the LeT, took action this year. It is possible that this gesture was initiated to garner support from India, which could eventually lead to India banning Hamas as well.
Hopes and expectations from COP28: The world is at a tipping point on climate change
What happens in COP28 on Dubai’s climate conference battleground in the first half of December 2023 may not result in bloodshed but its consequences could be drenched in blood, mass migration, and starvation.
Sri Lanka's emerging mall cities: Urban spaces where modernity and tradition intersect
The evolution of mall cities in Sri Lanka represents a complex and multidimensional transformation that intertwines economic, technological, environmental, and social dimensions.
Himalayan tunnel collapse raises many questions: Was this a manmade disaster?
Why then after 18 years we have had to get foreign help and equipment for the Silkyara tunnel rescue? Should this equipment and capability not be with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)?
US’s flagrant double standards in dealing with anti-India terrorism
Both Ottawa and Washington have historically been rather lackadaisical, if not downright conniving, in their dealing with India’s decades-long attempts to act against the Khalistan movement’s violent underpinnings in the two countries.
Sri Lanka's hi-tea culture: A new marker of class signalling in the digital era
Overall, whether one opts for the casual charm of hi-tea platters or the indulgent variety of hi-tea buffets, Sri Lanka's hi-tea culture seamlessly blends British colonial influences with local traditions, adding a unique and culturally rich touch to this eating-out experience.
South Asia's unacceptably high road fatalities: Need to bring about changes in emergency-care system
The South Asian region is home to an estimated 1.7 billion people, representing around 25 percent of the world’s population and also accounts for 25 percent of the world’s road crash fatalities.
The politics and hypocrisy of carbon emissions: Behind charges of India being third biggest polluter lurks West’s evasion
India is one country, but its 28 states are as diverse as the 27 nations of the European Union in language, culture, cuisine and economic development. The 27 nations together put out almost as much emissions as India at 3.1 million kilotonnes with only a population of 448 million, a third of India’s, for a per capita output of 5.5 tonnes.
