US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban.

New Civilisational Thesis of Western Renewal Risks Reviving Spectres of Colonialism and Racism

After Munich, Rubio travelled to Budapest and aligned himself warmly with Orbán’s government, praising Hungary’s trajectory. For European leaders committed to participatory democracy and the rule of law, the signal must have been disquieting. It suggested that Washington’s conception of Western solidarity may prioritise cultural homogeneity over liberal pluralism.

Trump’s Tariff Shock and India’s Export Reset: A Tech-Led Turn in the Making

The structural transformation of India’s export basket is no longer incremental—it is systemic. Technology-driven industries with higher value addition are steadily outpacing traditional sectors. If managed strategically, external tariff pressures could accelerate this transition. Rather than viewing tariff hikes solely as a threat, India can leverage them as a catalyst for deeper integration into global supply chains and stronger positioning in high-technology manufacturing. The reshaping of India’s export architecture is already underway. The tariff shock may simply fast-forward the process.

AI Encounters in Indian Higher Education: In Search of Humans in the Loop

Considering the potential of AI in solving complex questions and generating contents in individual writing styles, institutions need to ask a few fundamental questions - what is the role of academia in ensuring that the learners are not being slaves to AI, but masters who are aware of the potential bias and hallucinations that has a huge impact on knowledge acquisition and dissemination?  Should it be a social responsibility of higher educational institutions to ensure meaningful curriculum and assessment practices which make learners future ready in such a rapidly changing AI era?

Cryptocurrency and the Emergence of a Parallel Financial Architecture in South Asia

Recent global adoption indices confirms that South Asia has become one of the most dynamic regions for cryptocurrency engagement, with implications for remittance use. According to the 2025 crypto adoption index by Chainalysis, India secured the top position worldwide in overall crypto adoption across retail usage, reflecting pervasive grassroots digital activity. Pakistan and Bangladesh also feature prominently, with Pakistan ranking among top three in Asia and Bangladesh within top 20

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The flickering beacons of democracy: India and the USA

India needs Modi to rediscover his inner ecumenical soul. To do that, Modi must become the leading proponent of and advocate for a “unifying nationalism,”   writes Tom de Boor and Ed Crego for South Asia Monitor

Re-thinking NAM in a post-COVID-19 century

We are approaching the 65th anniversary of the Bandung Principles this year and 60th anniversary of the NAM in 2021. There is a renewed call in the NAM communique for the revitalization and strengthening of NAM, writes Sayantan Bandyopadhyay for South Asia Monitor

India must prepare for a multi-domain war

This is a defining moment in the history of India and its actions could well dictate its standing in the world,  writes Lt Gen PR Kumar (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Is a total boycott of Chinese goods by India feasible?

Can orchestrated symbolism of smashing Chinese TVs create a mass movement when no domestic alternatives are available to our extremely price-sensitive consumers? writes Brig Deepak Sethi (retd) for South Asia Monitor 

Afghanistan: No place for women

The February 29, 2020 deal between the US and the Taliban could pave the way for a peace that Afghans urgently pursue. But, then again there are huge risks for women’s rights in this process, as the Taliban remain deeply misogynistic, writes Dr. Sanchita Bhattacharya for South Asia Monitor

Will intra-Afghan dialogue bring peace to the Afghan people?

There are reports that the US will withdraw its forces from Afghanistan before the timeline. This will have bad consequences for the security of Afghanistan, the region, and the world, writes Mohamad Mosa Ahmadzai for South Asia Monitor

Biden, a friend of India, should be mindful of policy gaffes regarding South Asia

Of an estimated 3.5 million-plus Indian American community, about 70 percent are said to be the vote bank of Democrats, a number that the Biden campaign would not want to trifle with, writes Dr. Sridhar Krishnaswami for South Asia Monitor

Misplaced concerns over Nepal’s new citizenship bill blind a larger social reality

Cross-border marriages, i.e., matrimony between Nepal's son/daughter and India’s son/daughter are very common in India's bordering districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, writes Jivesh Jha  for South Asia Monitor

India needs to strengthen ties with liberal democracies, South Asian neighbours to counter China

India needs to consolidate its relationship with the immediate neighbors by resolving the pending issues, particularly, the issue of immigration with Bangladesh and territorial disputes with Nepal, writes Dr. Arshad for South Asia Monitor

Children at increased risk of sexual abuse and exploitation during COVID-19 lockdown

There has to be enough focus on the protection of children from sexual abuse and parents, guardians, teachers and all those who are stakeholders in children’s welfare should be really aware of this aspect to ensure a safe and healthy childhood for our children during this time of coronavirus pandemic, writes Sonal Kellogg for South Asia Monitor

Taliban rule in Afghanistan will be aligned with China

With Pakistan becoming the vassal state of China, China plans to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into Afghanistan, writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (Retd) for South Asia Monitor

Countering China: Indian diplomacy is not on unfavorable grounds

Let us accept this fact that India and China are potential rivals in the power hierarchy in South Asia and outside, writes Aneek Chatterjee for South Asia Monitor 

P V Narasimha Rao: A resolute reformer that India chose to forget

Rao qualifies in more ways than one to be conferred with the nation's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, which has  become a political reward in recent years, writes C Uday Bhaskar for South Asia Monitor

Bollywood needs to redeem itself after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death; promote regional collaboration

With deep societal, cultural, and religious links with our South Asian neighbors, the links and legacy coupled with the reach and charisma of Bollywood could be a win-win combination for regional collaboration in the art and craft of film making, if appropriated thoughtfully and strategically, writes Ram Krishna Sinha for South Asia Monitor

India of 2020 is different from the India of 1962

In the current scenario, although India being a peaceful country does not want war with anyone, especially with China, India has developed infrastructure at the borders, strengthened its defence forces and has strategic relations with several countries, writes Jai Kumar Verma for South Asia Monitor