Photo: Katherine Abraham

A New Year by any other name: Diversity marks South Asian cultural identity

Designating it as a ‘Hindu’ New Year appears to be part of an ongoing attempt to homogenise our diversity and multiple, multicultural identities. 

A security crisis looms in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts: Need for coordinated regional action

It is critical to formulate a comprehensive strategy that involves both Bangladesh and India to counteract the potential threats posed by external actors in the CHT. This strategy should take into account the historical grievances and aspirations of the ethnic communities

The subcontinental dilemma: Should petty politics trump business pragmatism in South Asia?

After all, If India can do more than $100 billion worth of business with China, with which it is now involved in a far more complex border dispute and naval rivalry, then we can at least do business with our next-door neighbours and let consumers have a greater choice.

For a few dollars more: Sri Lankan fighters in the Russian-Ukrainian war are symptoms of a deeper crisis

A report submitted by the State Intelligence Service ( SIS) of Sri Lanka to the country’s defence secretary indicates there are hundreds of Sri Lankan nationals serving on both Russian and Ukrainian fronts.

More on Spotlight

When history was made in India 45 years ago: Lessons from the Emergency

June 25, 2020, is the 45th anniversary of the infamous Emergency imposed on the country by Mrs. Gandhi, even while countrywide protests had erupted against her continuation in power, writes Vinod Aggarwal for South Asia Monitor 

India-China border clash: Is there a way forward? (Part II of three-part series)

We need to step out of the stated and irrevocable positions taken, think out of the box, accept existing ground realities, create the right atmospherics amongst the people and international community and come up with a pragmatic solution, writes Lt Gen P R Kumar (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Indian Army must be allowed to respond appropriately to Chinese border bullying

The gloves are indeed off. Now New Delhi must ensure that the Indian Army’s mountain corps is made fully ready to foil further Chinese military moves, writes Anil Bhat for South Asia Monitor 

Recasting Chief of Defence Staff role: Need to generate a culture of strategic thinking in India

Potential Indian defence ministers will have to be qualified to carry out the duties and responsibilities of that office effectively. This will automatically generate a culture of strategic thinking in the political rank and file, writes Lt Gen (Dr) Yash Malhotra (retd) for South Asia Monitor

India and China: Twain can never meet

The Chinese are extremely wary and suspicious of India's growing closeness with the US and feel that the US was seeking to "draw a line" around China, writes Tarun Basu for South Asia Monitor 

Chinese ingress in eastern Ladakh a collusive move with Pakistan?

China’s message to India is loud and clear that it has absolutely no intention to withdraw soon. It has also proved that the collusive support of China and Pakistan to each other against India has been translated into reality, writes Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy (retd) for South Asia Monitor 

COVID-19 has worsened the dire humanitarian crisis in Rohingya camps in Bangladesh

Since Bangladesh is among the lowest testing countries, Rohingyas living in these makeshift camps are largely deprived of testing for COVID-19, writes Shanjida Shahab Uddin for South Asia Monitor

As South Asia battles COVID-19, time for strengthening regional trade connectivity

Experts feel that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about new opportunities for regional cooperation in South Asia with the setting up of an emergency fund of $10 million to fight the pandemic with India's initiative, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor

India-China dynamics in turbulent times: Civilisational ties and border dispute (Part I of three-part series)

 While India never had hegemonistic tendencies, China the ‘middle power’ always wanted to restore its past glory by any means, which included grabbing/occupying land and maritime zones based on its perception of past ownership, writes Lt Gen P R Kumar (retd) for South Asia Monitor

India’s battle against COVID-19: Response efficiency has varied from state to state

The efficiency of response has varied across India. Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and the Northeastern states responded well, with strong public health measures combined with empathetic social services, writes Prof. K. Srinath Reddy for South Asia Monitor

Souring India-Nepal ties

China has made all-out efforts to draw Nepal into its strategic sphere and has stoked anti-India feelings,  writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Cooperative security in South Asia: Subregional groups can show the way

In SAARC political agenda always dominated social and economic issues, whereas in successful regional organizations like ASEAN and EU, socio-economic issues prevailed over politics, writes Aneek Chatterjee for South Asia Monitor

India-China border dispute: Is a give and take possible now?

The immediate task is to get the PLA to leave Galwan without loss of face. On the other hand,  could this just be the opportunity for the two sides to settle new LACs in the three sectors? writes Mohan Guruswamy for South Asia Monitor

Afghan media working under constant threat

The militants and various violent groups want to suppress the 'voice of reason' and in doing so they target the media with utmost force and hatred. The factor of impunity is one of the main reasons for continued atrocity towards Afghan journalists and media, writes Dr. Sanchita Bhattacharya for South Asia Monitor

India–Australia summit: A meeting of minds

With shared concerns over Chinese hegemony, the time is right for a closer engagement between New Delhi and Canberra, writes Amit Dasgupta for South Asia Monitor