The policy dilemmas which the economies of South Asia face call for collective thinking, although each country may have to pursue its own strategy, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor
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
Saffron bigotry stumps the BJP in the Muslim world: Will the party change tack?
Now the BJP may begin to have second thoughts about aggressive pro-Hindu tactics. Even if it has won over large sections of the communal-minded Hindus at home, it will be wary of an Arab boycott of Indian products abroad, writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor
Why Bangladesh should be seen as a South Asian economic miracle
Bangladesh is a South Asian miracle. Dislodging India, Bangladesh has quietly made its way to the top spot of the South Asian economic wheel, writes Shuvo Das for South Asia Monitor
World must not forget the Rohingya refugees of Bangladesh
The Afghan and Ukraine crises have worsened the situation. But the world must remember that Rohingyas are also refugees, writes Parvej Siddique Bhuiyan for South Asia Monitor
Defining moment for earth: South Asia faces grave environmental concerns
South Asia alone produces around 300 million tonnes of solid waste annually and 70–80 percent of these ends up in water bodies or in oceans, write George Cheriyan and Simi T.B. for South Asia Monitor
Indian food aid to Sri Lanka; Are there any lessons from 1987?
Sri Lanka should also remember the adage ‘there are no free lunches’ and bilateral relations will depend on a give-and-take policy, writes Suggeeswara Senadhira for South Asia Monitor
Men who fight together must pray together: The hallowed tradition of secularism in India's armed forces
As officers in the armed forces, their religion is that of their soldiers, sailors and airmen and all religious festivals of India are attended and taken part by all officers and families, writes Col Anil Bhat (retd) for South Asia Monitor
India's pivot to Indo-Pacific is harbinger of geo-economic shifts in trade priorities
The US has now become important for India’s energy security as is the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor
Should the future of India be held hostage to a divisive ideology?
The 1991 act was aimed at focussing social energies on building the future while preserving the integrative aspects of Indian syncretism, what Jawaharlal Nehru underlined as "Ganga-Jamuna tehjeeb", writes Dr Ram Puniyani for South Asia Monitor
Sri Lanka: Beginning of end for political crisis, end of beginning for economy
His traditional urban backers grudgingly accept Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s confession that they have to bear more for a few weeks more before pressing the recovery button. The same cannot be said of the rural poor, writes N. Sathiya Moorthy for South Asia Monitor
Why the US wants more engagement with Bangladesh
The US plans to sign two defense agreements with Bangladesh: GSOMIA and ACSA and, through these, the US hopes to strengthen military ties by enhancing intelligence sharing and exchanging logistical and technological support, writes Fumiko Yamada for South Asia Monitor
Wheat exports: India's assurance to neighbours is a positive development for South Asia
India prioritizing neighbouring countries in its foreign policy objectives, particularly by assisting Sri Lanka and Afghanistan amid crises, shows its commitment to 'Neighbourhood First' policy, writes John Rozario for South Asia Monitor
Jaundiced approach to history: No room for composite culture in a changing India?
A mix of Indo-Pakistani enmity and a twisted, politically motivated interpretation of the subcontinent’s past, have helped the BJP to depict the Muslims as demons against whom the Hindus have to wage a relentless battle, writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor
Should India rethink the ban on wheat exports?
Domestically and in the neighbourhood, too, India’s ban only creates fresh uncertainties despite the government’s assurance that government-to- government contracts will be honoured, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor
Why Bangladesh can claim success in managing Covid-19
Bangladesh has a long experience in facing natural disasters and managing risks and has been utilizing the learning to cope with Covid-19 too, writes Dr Mohammad Rezaul Karim for South Asia Monitor
