Asia News Agency (ANA) is the original and only diplomatic news consultancy in India and South Asia. It has been serving the India based diplomatic community since 1972 through its editorial services. Among its clients are Ambassadors and High Commissioners of almost all embassies and international organisations based in India.

News behind the News (NbN) is a weekly journal published by Asia News Agency. It is structured to suit the needs of the India based diplomatic community. It analyses week after week, key issues and developments talking place in respect of India’s polity, foreign policy, defence and economy.

Special Studies are prepared by Asia News Agency in partnership with Society for Policy Studies (SPS). These are in the nature of in-depth analytical backgrounders / desk reviews on topics of current interest to its clients.

  • INDIA - CHINA: BEYOND DISENGAGEMENT

    The disengagement process between India and China in eastern Ladakh has since been accomplished.

  • NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RULES TO GOVERN ONLINE CONTENT: ANALYSES

    The Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, announced recently,  have set off an acrimonious  debate among experts because at stake is the future of social and digital media in India and the manner in which they will either prosper or perish.  The new Rules will govern online content.

  • FARMER PROTESTS COULD AFFECT ELECTORAL LANDSCAPE

    With the farm agitation now in its fourth month, the deadlock continues. The last round of talks ended over a month ago..  There is anxiety among political leaders aligned to the ruling NDA about the possible impact in about half a dozen states that will be going to elect their assemblies in March/April. These include Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.

  • INDIA - CHINA: AN ‘UNCERTAIN AND PROBLEMATIC’ FUTURE

    There is speculation that China’s President Xi Jinping may come to India in the second half of this year to attend the BRICS  leaders’ meeting. The optimism comes after China expressed its “support” for India hosting this year’s meeting and recent discussions between the two Foreign Ministers.

  • INDIA - CHINA: EXPLAINING CHINA’S DECISION TO DISENGAGE

    China and India have completed the first phase of disengagement withdrawing their artillery, tanks and troops from heights on the north and south banks of Pangong Tso.  The speed at which the PLA has moved its troops and other equipment, shows that the instructions have come from the highest level in Beijing.

  • THE TOOLKIT CONTROVERSY

    Accused of sedition, promoting enmity and criminal conspiracy, the arrest of a young climate activist, Disha Ravi by Delhi police, has created a storm including support from Greta Thunberg.

  • FARMER’S MOVEMENT AT CROSSROADS

    The trajectory of farmers’ protests is at crossroads. Negotiations are stuck on two crucial demands - repeal of the farm laws and legal protection to Minimum Support Price (MSP).  With the police making arrests and barricading Delhi borders, at stake is the very right to peaceful protest in a democracy.

  • THE REPUBLIC UNDER STRESS

    India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day on 26 January. In 1950, after a deliberative process in the Constitu-ent Assembly, India formally adopted its Constitution and a modern democratic State was institutional-ised.  The democratic design of the Constitution has served India well.  But the Republic can only work well if all pillars of the Constitution function in letter and spirit.

  • FARM PROTESTS: UNCLEAR FUTURE AFTER VIOLENCE

    The violence on Republic Day, 26 January, has spurred the government into strong action. Cases have been registered against persons indulging in violence, including against over 30 of the 40 farm union leaders who were involved in talks with the Centre. The violence has placed farm leaders on backfoot.

  • FARMER PROTESTS: TALKS BREAKDOWN

    The Centre finally blinked proposing to suspend the implementation of the three contentious farm laws for up to one-and-a-half years and set up a committee to discuss the laws. With the 40 farmer unions rejecting the proposal and the government making it clear this is their ‘best’ proposal, talks have broken down.

  • FARMERS PROTESTS: SUPREME COURT INTERVENTION A NON-STARTER

    A Supreme Court bench Tuesday in an extraordinary order, suspended the implementation of the three farm laws and set up a committee comprising experts to suggest a solution. The committee is a non-starter with farmer unions rejecting participating in it.

  • FARMER PROTESTS: NO END IN SIGHT AS BOTH SIDES DIG THEIR HEELS

    Even after the 8th round of negotiations, the logjam continues with farmers sticking to their demand of repeal of the farm laws and the Centre ruling out a complete withdrawal of Acts, asserting the laws have been welcomed by a large section of farmers in other states across the country.

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