When the Himalayas Warn Us

When the Himalayas Warn Us: Balancing Ecology, Development and Human Security

The disasters at Kedarnath and Nepal should therefore be read not simply as tragedies of the past or isolated episodes of extreme weather. They are warnings from a changing mountain system. The question before South Asia is whether we will continue to respond to each disaster after it occurs, or whether we will listen to what the mountains are telling us beforehand.

Months Ahead of the Monsoon: Can AI Give Us an Earlier Warning About El Niño?

AI may genuinely extend the horizon over which seasonal climate risk can be estimated.  For communities across South Asia living under the influence of the monsoon, a longer view could mean the difference between a farmer adjusting her planting in time and a family receiving a flood warning too late to act.

Livelihoods, Employment and Environmental Management in South Asia’s Hilly Regions: Lessons from ADB’s New Investment in Bangladesh

The broader lesson for South Asia is equally important. Hilly regions cannot be developed simply by transferring lowland infrastructure models into mountainous terrain. Investment has to respond to local economic systems, geography and environmental risks. 

Ethanol, AI and Agriculture: India's Triangular Chokehold Centred on a Depleting Resource

The UN's 2026 report warns that “long-term water use has exceeded renewable inflows and safe depletion limits,” leaving some water supplies beyond recovery. As the world’s largest groundwater extractor, India sits at the centre of this reckoning

More on Climate, Sustainability and Energy

UN reforms: Ghana president suggests mechanism for UNSC, UNGA to take up proposals together

The barrier to UN reforms is a group of 13 countries led by Italy and which included Pakistan that has blocked the adoption of a negotiating text on which to base the discussion.

India abstains on Russia-sponsored UNSC resolution involving Ukraine; only China votes with Russia

This was at least the 11th time India had abstained on a substantive resolution at the Security Council and the General Assembly involving Ukraine.

Rohingya extremists should be held accountable for massacre of Hindus in Myanmar: UN expert calls for 'unified action' against junta

An Amnesty International investigation found that “up to 99 Hindu women, men, and children” had been massacred by ARSA fighters, who also abducted Hindu villagers in August 2017 in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

Security Council reform: UNGA president finally appoints leaders for renewed negotiations

A small group of countries - which includes Pakistan - have so far blocked the reform process by preventing the adoption of a negotiating text which has meant that the IGN functions without a proper agenda or a record of the negotiations.

China blocks yet another Pakistan-based terrorist leader from sanctions

US and India have asked the Security Council committee dealing with sanctions on the Islamic State and al-Qaeda along with affiliated groups like the L-e-T to impose sanctions on Mahmood, who runs its international operations.

Guterres visiting India; to pay tributes to 26/11 victims; will visit Gujarat

At the Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Kevadia, Gutteres is to join Modi to launch the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), the MEA said. Gujarat is Modi’s home state.

India abstains again on UNGA resolution condemning Russia in Ukraine conflict

The Assembly session also witnessed a sideshow by Pakistan, which stuck to its gimmick of bringing up Kashmir regardless of the topic on the agenda. Kamboj dismissed it as an attempt to misuse the UN forum with “frivolous and pointless remarks”.

India votes with West on three UNGA procedural matters, while remaining silent on crucial Ukraine vote

India joining the West against Russia on procedural matters is not necessarily a precursor to a change in New Delhi’s neutrality in voting on substantive matters involving Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

UN Counter-Terrorism Committee to meet in India in rare away session

Holding the meeting in India is a special effort by New Delhi to draw world attention to the terrorist attacks and the threats it faces and to prepare the international community to deal with the emerging technologies that could be force multipliers for terrorists.

Four South Asian - three Bangladeshis, one Pakistani - UN peacekeepers killed in attacks in Africa

Over 431 peacekeepers have died in the operations in the DRC, of them 31 were Pakistanis.

Mahatma Gandhi ‘comes’ to UN, inspiring ideas of education and peace, as war rhetoric is traded in Security Council

A lifesize, speaking, gesticulating presence on the stage, the Gandhi avatar provoked, prodded and challenged a panel made up of an activist, a diplomat, a youth and an economist to delve into the meaning of education for humanity.

India abstains once again on UNSC resolution condemning Russia’s referendum to annex Ukraine areas

Kamboj said, “India’s position has been clear and consistent from the very beginning of this conflict: The global order is anchored on the principles of the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of all states”.

India projects itself as a global leader, says it believes in 'reformed multilateralism'

India’s “age-old outlook”, he said, “sees the world as one family. We believe that national good and global good can be entirely in harmony”.

G4 ministers to push 'consolidated text' for adoption for UNSC reform

A small group of countries led by Italy and which includes Pakistan has blocked the adoption of a negotiating text which would be the bases of discussions and move the reform process.

Pakistan's actions do not match words; peace possible in subcontinent when Islamabad ends terror: India

“The desire for peace, security and progress in the Indian subcontinent is real. It is also widely shared and it can be realized”, he said. “That will surely happen when cross-border terrorism ceases, when governments come clean with the international community and with their own people, when minorities are not persecuted, and not least when we recognize these realities before this Assembly”, the Indian diplomat said.