Given its strategic location blended with the old maritime silk route legacy, China places Sri Lanka in the pole position of its maritime strategy.
A Gulf Truce with Global Consequences: Will it Bring Durable Peace?
A military confrontation in the Gulf can raise food prices in South Asia, accelerate inflation in Africa, disrupt supply chains in Europe, and unsettle financial markets across the globe. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is therefore more than a maritime development; it is a reminder of the profound interdependence that defines the contemporary international order.
Bangladesh’s Lord Ram Statue Controversy fuels Renewed Debate over Religious Freedom and Social Cohesion
The controversy surrounding the proposed Lord Ram statue has emerged at a time when the BNP government has been in office for only 100 days. Some political observers believe that certain groups may be attempting to exploit the issue to deepen existing tensions between Bangladesh and India
Foreign Funds, Civil Society Freedoms, National Security and India-US Friction
Every democracy permits foreign funding under regulated conditions. The question is whether democratic states possess adequate mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability and protection against external influence operations, which could be against core national interests.
India's Push-In Policy on Suspected Illegal Immigrants: Need to Mitigate Human Suffering
Over the past two months, a series of alleged push-in incidents along the Bangladesh-India border has reportedly left scores of people stranded in zero-line and no-man's-land areas under difficult conditions.
More on Geopolitics and Strategic Affairs
Bangladesh's participation in EU's Global Gateway Summit sends out a clear message
The EU recognises that emerging countries such as Bangladesh have a great need for cash for infrastructure development and it will be hard to turn these states away from Chinese influence unless they are provided with financial tools to meet that demand.
Same-sex marriage: Caught in debate between judicial overreach and judicial restraint in India
It is indeed intriguing to question how Nepal and India, despite similar cultural realities, have displayed contrasting interpretations.
Afghanistan: A nation torn by war; united by cricket
The world may have witnessed a cricket match, but for Afghans, it was a moment of glory, pride, and unity. Afghanistan once again proves that it is more than just a country; it is a resilient and hopeful nation on the rise.
Qatar's death-sentencing of eight Indian naval veterans a fallout of Israel-Hamas war?
Against the backdrop of the very intimate Qatar-US relations and the US-led West supporting Israel, the charge against Indian naval veterans of spying for Israel is absurd.
Sustainable Development: South Asia in the Asian perspective
In conclusion, it may be said that while South Asia, Central and West Asia and Pacific Asia showed improvement in sustainability indicators for environment and energy in 2020, they did not do so well in social and governance indicators.
Global community should realise futility of war: Usher in era of coexistence and conflict management
The COVID-19 crisis has showcased global cooperation and a shared sense of humanity. Nations collaboratively navigated the pandemic, emphasizing a collective response and coexistence during challenging times
Quelling press freedom in Bangladesh: Democratic downslide an ominous trend across South Asia
The imposition of draconian laws in Bangladesh and the government’s strenuous efforts to defend itself against the smear campaign and attacks against journalists and media persons reflect a familiar picture across South Asian nations like India and Sri Lanka where electronic surveillance and stifling dissent have become all too common
Communal violence mustn't be employed as a weapon in Bangladesh's election
As Durga Puja approaches and the country's Hindu communities prepare themselves to embrace their beloved goddess, the leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian Unity Council, a religious minority organisation, are concerned about a possible outbreak of communal strife in the nation.
Will IMEC be a potential game-changer for India and South Asia?
For India, IMEC is a strategic move to lessen dependency on its traditional trading partners while opening up a horizon of opportunities in markets ranging from technology to energy. Also, India is poised to countervail growing Chinese influence in South Asia if successful implementation of IMEC becomes possible.
Nepal's regional diplomatic balancing demonstrates its non-aligned foreign policy
Nepal’s participation in bilateral infrastructure projects with China exemplifies its aspiration for mutual economic growth. Yet its decision to distance itself from the GSI indicates its commitment to remain neutral, given its deep-rooted ties with India.
How Indian expertise and BIMSTEC's traditional knowledge can transform underwater domain awareness for regional benefit
The talent pool that exists in the BIMSTEC - in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Thailand - can be channelized across areas of data analytics, underwater domain (acoustic signal processing) and for field deployment. Indian talent is known globally for its data analytics skills, and coupled with the underwater domain expertise, can work on the MSP-based digital transformation for the region.
Bangladesh's march towards energy security - with a little Russian help
The successful operation of the Rooppur plant will underscore the commitment of Bangladesh to responsible and secure nuclear energy utilization
Pakistan needs to reshape priorities: Trim high defence budget, build positive ties with India
History has shown that whenever Pakistan sought peaceful relations with India, India responded positively. This held true during democratic governments and even during dictatorships in Pakistan.
With China tightening hold on South Asia, Maldives a wake-up call for India
Muizzu’s regime in the Maldives in conjunction with Pakistan could be potentially sitting on China’s lap for decades, along with a pro-China government in Nepal, and Myanmar annyway drawn into China’s strategic sphere since the military coup in Nay Pyi Taw in February 2021.
