The idea is to turn backward villages affected by floods annually - whether in Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand or Odisha - into suburbia-like agglomerations with proper housing and urban-standard infrastructure
Is South Asia the Next Front in the U.S.–China Rivalry?
But it may be the smaller South Asian states that feel the most pressure. Countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives are faced with a more polarised geopolitical environment. They want Chinese investment to boost development and keep close diplomatic and security ties with India and western partners.
Energy Cooperation: A Quiet Success Story in South Asia
A big development happened in 2025. Nepal started exporting electricity to Bangladesh through India's transmission network. This was the first time Nepalese hydropower was commercially transmitted to Bangladesh via Indian territory. The initial export volume was 40 megawatts. The significance of the agreement is much bigger. It showed that regional energy cooperation can overcome political barriers.
The Militarization of the Digital Commons: Need for New Regulatory Solutions
In the effort to combat this multi-dimensional challenge, democratic states are faced with deep policy constraints, many of which can be paralyzing. The fundamental paradox is how to maintain the open, democratic character of the digital commons while at the same time countering more advanced opponents who are not held back by democratic principles. Disseminating disinformation is a tactic governments use to influence public opinion that has the potential to conflict with the strong constitutional freedoms of expression that exist in liberal democracies.
Why the Bay of Bengal Is Becoming the Heart of Asian Geopolitics
The rising significance of the Bay links closely to the growing Indo-Pacific concept. As the economic and strategic focus shifts toward Asia, major powers like the United States, China, India, Japan, Australia, and the European Union are paying more attention to maritime corridors connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
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Competence over seniority: Indian government reforms bidding to give a new face to bureaucracy
Realizing the bureaucracy was a major hindrance to the implementation of reforms and there was no substantive progress in the performance of bureaucracy even after departmental training, the Indian government launched the National Program for Civil Service Capacity Building (NPCSCB), known as Mission Karmayogi, in November 2020
Kamla Bhasin (1946-2021): A freedom-loving feminist par excellence
South Asia was Kamla’s oyster and she travelled across the borders inspiring women in Bangladesh (where she was Kamla di) Nepal (where she was Kamla diju), Pakistan (where she was Kamla apa) , Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and other places
India’s new trade policy: An action plan for promoting exports from the states
Indian enterprises, financial institutions and government agencies must invest in the acquisition and analysis of knowledge and information on target markets
Pan masala ad and the social responsibility of Indian film icon Amitabh Bachchan
The on-screen star can become a real-life hero if he withdraws from the tobacco ad, calls out paan masala as harmful to human health and triggers a movement within Bollywood to protect the health and rights of consumers
Japan's silence on Rohingya Issue is puzzling
It is Japan’s vital responsibility to join and influence other key players in the region to play a visible and effective role to address major regional issues like the Rohingya crisis for peace and stability
A tale of two Modis and political doublespeak
PM Modi is trying to ace a fine balance between his domestic credentials and his global image
Draupadi, Dalit writers and Delhi University: Inconvenient truths as politics rules
This is not the first time that political considerations will determine what universities in India should teach, or which books may be banned
Pakistan needs a vibrant people’s movement that can marginalise Islamic extremism
A forward-looking government can certainly achieve this task of Pakistan remaining an Islamic country while simultaneously emerging as a progressive and peaceful nation
India needs a People’s Charter - a referendum of the type of India people want
An apolitical mass movement is imperative, given that India’s secular democracy and constitutional freedoms are facing an existential threat
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance is on the right track
The central theme of Modi’s governance - both as Chief Minister of Gujarat and Prime Minister of India - is his undiluted focus on poverty alleviation, industrial and economic development and social progress
The taboos that are pulling India down
No society can progress if it does not muster the courage to question taboos, particularly those which trample on human rights, dignity, and liberal values
China must help in resolving the vexed Rohingya issue that has overburdened Bangladesh
China must become the region's new peacemaker, with its approach to resolving the Rohingya situation bringing out the hesitancy of the western powers to take a decisive stand on the vexed issue
Rural Media Network Pakistan rejects proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority; says it is 'unconstitutional' and against press freedom
The Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP ) board meeting held under the chairmanship of its president Ehsan Ahmed Sehar has turned down the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) unanimously
Afghanistan sliding towards its worst humanitarian crisis
It is the core responsibility of the Muslim Ummah to rescue Afghans from the clutches of an impending civil war
