Military spending calculated as a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 2.4 per cent for India, an estimated 1.6 per cent for China, 2.6 per cent for Pakistan.
Cross-Border Marriages Blur the India-Pakistan Divide
Within the Muslim community, such marriages often occur among extended families due to cultural acceptance of cousin marriages. With maternal aunts, uncles, and cousins living across the border, arranging these alliances is relatively easier. Hindu cross-border marriages, however, are far less common due to the dwindling Hindu population in Pakistan, driven by its theocratic state policies.
A Rare Pakistani Military Man Who Talked And Fought For Peace
Once I asked him why Pakistan did not stop terrorism against India, the biggest roadblock in the peace process. He replied quite candidly that some in the Pakistani establishment believed that if the terrorism tap was closed, India would never talk about Kashmir. Then he said something which left me stunned, “You see, even if orders are given to close the tap, some amount of terrorism may continue..
Bihar Elections: A Clean Sweep Amid Concerns Over Electoral Fairness in India
In Bihar, too, like has happened in earlier elections in Maharashtra and Haryana for example, the winning side will have to contend with the allegations that they romped home with an umpire whose role remains hotly contested, placing the fairness of the entire electoral process under a cloud. The allegations are more than a case of sour grapes and have now become a growing part of recent election campaigns and results, putting Indian democracy at risk
CSR in South Asia: What It Means to the Corporate and Social World
An important pillar of CSR is the role of non-government organisations (NGOs) as partners in channeling funds to social sectors. While NGOs are committed to social development, their work is severely constrained without funding support. CSR funding strengthens the NGO ecosystem, while corporates gain a credible channel to fulfil their ethical and social commitments. Governments, in turn, benefit from effective partnerships with corporates and NGOs, enabling shared responsibility for social-sector goals.
More on Perspective
Cleaning up the police: Can extrajudicial killings in India be stopped?
On the one hand, India sees itself as the rising global power, the head of G20 today, and with an economy that is the fifth largest in the world by GDP. On the other hand, India is the story of flourishing gangsters who when they get too big must be taken to a secluded spot and shot.
A zero-tolerance policy has helped Bangladesh contain terrorism and militancy
Bangladesh's zero-tolerance policy against militancy is bearing fruit. So far, eight militant organizations, namely JMB, Shahadat-e-al-Hikma, JMJB, Hizbut Tahrir, Huji-B, ABT, Ansar Al Islam, and Allahr Dal, have been banned by the government. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's tough stance has made it possible to virtually dismantle the militant network in Bangladesh.
750 fisherfolk prisoners languish in Indian, and Pakistani jails: appeals for release falling on deaf ears?
Herman Kumara, the national convener of the National Fisheries Solidarity Organization (NAFSO) in Sri Lanka, strongly opposes the practice of keeping arrested fishermen in jail even after their punishment has been served.
Why India needs a caste census
Today, what is needed is a genuine assessment of the population of different marginalized sections and to modify the country's policies so that the uneven growth of society is brought on the path of equality. The deaths of the likes of Rohith Vemula and Darshan Solanki should awaken India to the need to combat the biases constructed against the socially marginalized sections and strive for a future where ‘annihilation of caste’ is the central credo of our society.
Vigilante justice and its celebration: Time to recall Ambedkar's ‘Grammar of Anarchy’ speech
This is surely not the first or the last of the fake encounters (extra-judicial killing) in our country. Are people, including the police, losing faith in constitutional methods so earnestly championed by Dr. Ambedkar? What would he have said, had he been alive today?
Institutional arbitration in India remains a non-starter
Four years after the passage of the law, the promised Arbitration Council of India to authorise and regulate arbitration institutions has yet to be operationalised. Save for a small number of arbitration institutions established and funded by well-known law firms, some state governments do not support professionally established arbitration institutions.
The Bangladesh-Bhutan trade and transit agreement is a shot in the arm for regional cooperation
This transit agreement will pave the way for energy imports from Bhutan. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed between the two countries in 2009. After last month's agreement, the FTA will gain momentum. The agreement will enable Bhutan to use Bangladesh's air, railways, river ports, land and sea ports since Bhutan is a landlocked country and has no river or sea ports of its own.
The US Democracy Summit is an instrument of power politics: A Bangladeshi perspective
India, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Maldives are the four countries from South Asia among 120 countries at this year's Democracy Summit. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan were not invited, but Pakistan, one of the most authoritarian and corrupt countries in South Asia with scant respect for human rights, was invited.
A stress test for Indian democracy, a turning point for India?
India has some deep soul-searching to do as we explore the question: Are we truly a democratic nation? Or is democracy the story we sell to ourselves and the world when the nation and its people know that we are not what we think or claim to be?
After giving a clean chit on human rights, US should lift sanctions against Bangladesh's RAB
Bangladesh still has a terrorism problem and cross-border drug cartels pose a significant threat to its national security. And the elite force remains one of the important agencies to curb terrorism and narcotics control.
Need to understand the invisible economics of nature
The reason we are losing nature boils down, in my mind, to one basic problem: our inability to perceive the difference between public benefits and private profits.
Bangladesh has a resilient economy, will not collapse like Pakistan; is streets ahead of it in all-round development
Pakistan will never catch up with Bangladesh in the race for economic development. The GDP growth rate of Bangladesh increased gradually to 8.13 percent in the fiscal year 2018-19. In 2020-22, the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war slowed down the growth rate of Bangladesh, but it was much higher than that of Pakistan and the growth rate is estimated to exceed 6.5 percent in the fiscal year 2022-23.
S. Jaishankar and George Soros: Politically at odds, but both speak up for the Global South
Another result of Jaishankar’s active advocacy for the Global South is the recently held “Voices of Global South Summit” which was hosted by India. Jaishankar led the summit with participation from 120 developing countries.
IMF‘a call to regulate cryptocurrencies a necessary step to ensure global financial stability
I believe that the increased regulation of cryptocurrencies is a necessary step to ensure the stability of the financial system and protect consumers, and can be achieved through collaboration between governments and industry participants.
