In the face of such sustained criticism, to which its foreign office is very unaccustomed, it is clear that India’s domestic politics are now placing India’s global ambitions at grave risk, writes Nilova Roy Chaudhury for South Asia Monitor
BIMSTEC: Structural and political challenges hobble greater regional integration
India’s active role in BIMSTEC aligns with its broader strategic objectives under the Neighborhood First and Act East policies. The organization’s goals—connecting South and Southeast Asia, enhancing trade and connectivity, and boosting cooperation in maritime and non-traditional security sectors—complement India’s own regional priorities
Chill in India-Bangladesh ties taking heavy toll on cross-border trade and infrastructure
Bangladeshi authorities have noted that Matarbari Port will also support feeder vessel services from India’s Kolkata and Haldia ports. This transshipment framework could facilitate efficient trade not only for India but also for landlocked neighbors like Nepal and Bhutan. However, much of this potential remains unrealized, and may continue to do so, amid Bangladesh’s current domestic challenges and diplomatic tensions with India
The rot within: Police assault on army officer highlights crying need for systemic reforms
While there is no debate that soldiers must be treated with dignity, civilians too are equally deserving of such respectful treatment. India is a democratic nation governed by the rule of law, which must apply uniformly—whether to a uniformed individual or a civilian. There should be no space for such high-handed behavior by the police or any other government agency that represents state authority.
Can a fish market and a temple co-exist? Fishy politics in an Indian capital corner tells a larger story
An eclectic faith with no supreme authority, that accommodate diverse centres of belief and practice, can always be susceptible to manipulation and misinterpretation. A tendency to arrogate theological authority to a self-serving stream of thought and negation of other religio-cultural practices is alien to the spirit of Sanatan Dharma, which is inherently inclusive in character and sees no basis for excluding any belief.
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It is the agenda going forward that effectively puts a stamp over what the US assumes would be a Taliban-led, if not outright, Taliban government in Afghanistan, writes Shakti Sinha for South Asia Monitor
South Asia needs to reclaim its cultural ethos, revive SAARC
Although BIMSTEC has been gaining momentum in the recent past, it cannot be an alternative to SAARC, as it involves all the players in the region, including Pakistan, writes Samudrala VK for South Asia Monitor
Russia, India, China should cooperate to lead the Asian century
RIC, a troika of the three Eurasian powers, can work extensively on issues like counter-terrorism, transnational organised crime, illicit drug trafficking and climate change, writes Samudrala VK for South Asia Monitor
The Taliban, and Pakistan, have caught Trump in a duplicitous bind
What constituency Pakistan has in Capitol Hill is not known, but in putting up this deal, Pakistan has played its double game to the hilt, capitalizing on Trump’s pre-election promise of ‘bringing the boys home’, writes Lt Gen P C Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor
US-Taliban deal will only boost Trump’s electoral prospects and Pakistani influence
The requirement of a seven-day ‘reduction in violence’ for signing the deal was a joke that demonstrated abject surrender to the Taliban, writes Lt Gen PC Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor
For Trump facing re-election India was the 51st US state!
If the adulation of Trump and the rally made it seem like India was the 51st state in Trump's re-election campaign, it may be because Modi bets on the re-election of a tough, right-wing hardliner with whom he shares some characteristics, writes Arul Louis for South Asia Monitor
To ‘Act East’ effectively requires India to ‘Learn East’
In order to effectively “Act East” we must first try to “Learn East” once again to rediscover the opportunities for prosperity that lie therein, writes By Amb Sarva Chakravarti (retd) for South Asia Monitor
A Bollywood film that got Trump's attention and sends out a social message
The LGBT issue is far from gaining social acceptability in a diverse and conservative society that India and much of South Asia is. But things are changing, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor
The Indus Waters Treaty: Enduring agreement provides security in strained India-Pakistan ties
Today’s dispute (between India and Pakistan) is now less about Kashmir and Kashmiris and more about a river system with its headwaters in Kashmir writes Anuttama Banerji for South Asia Monitor
US-Taliban talks: Peace is still elusive
The present peace accord is fragile as there are several forces which are against the peace, and they may try to disrupt the agreement, writes Jai Kumar Verma for South Asia Monitor
Delhi riots have dented Modi’s image
For, what happened in the capital during the two days of the Trump visit, especially on the last day, was no less damaging to the Prime Minister’s reputation than the electoral setback, writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor
Popular dissent in India threatens the government's idea of domination
The women of Shaheen Bagh at Delhi and their sisters at innumerable other locations all over India have changed the narrative of dissent... causing utter confusion of thought as well as action at the level of the Indian government, writes Dr Udai Vir Singh for South Asia Monitor
Bangladesh has a tradition of religious harmony: American senator’s remarks cause outrage
There is no incident in Bangladesh that can prove that any Bangladeshi has been persecuted by the government for his or her religious beliefs, writes Swadesh Roy for South Asia Monitor
Modi and Trump are different, but together they can make a difference
The second largest and the fourth largest emitter of the green house gases are standing in the cusp of the most critical decade of the 21st century when they meet on 24-25 Februrary 2020 when the world is on the cusp of environmental havoc due to climate change, writes Rajendra Shende for South Asia Monitor
