The inclusion of the military dimension in India-Saudi Arabia relations is of great strategic significance which is expected to gain more momentum in the future.
Gulf War Strains Bangladesh's Economic Fragility, Test for New Government
The current war has exposed Bangladesh’s structural vulnerabilities: dependence on imported energy, fragile reserves, and narrow fiscal space. For the new government, the stakes are clear—stabilize fuel and food supplies now while building resilience through diversified energy, broader exports, and stronger social protection. Wars in the Gulf may be fought thousands of miles away, but their economic shockwaves reach Bangladesh within days. In the end, the crisis will be felt in three simple pressures shaping everyday life: oil prices, food costs, and migrant jobs.
Re-imagining Pakistan’s Human Capital Crisis: It Must Dismantle Policy Structures That Serve Elite Interests
This crisis did not emerge overnight. It is a product of neglecting the foundational capacity to invest in human capital, where Pakistan hardly puts less than 2% of its national GDP on human capital factors. Meanwhile, the regional peers like Bangladesh and India invest more in education and health, and Pakistan is still trapped in a cycle of short-term fiscal thinking, political instability, and elite capture that is systematically hollowing out the nation’s potential to rise and grow.
The Delhi Tightrope: Can India Lead BRICS without Triggering a Trumpian Trade War?
In 2026, the “strategic autonomy” that we so often discuss must evolve from a defensive crouch to a balanced offensive infrastructure play. India’s success will be measured by its ability to convince the Trump administration that a stable, digitally-sovereign BRICS is actually a better trade partner than a chaotic, bankrupt one.
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal Under Fire: Serving Justice or Political Retribution?
Yunus created a suffocating atmosphere in Bangladesh by pushing the country towards the fate of a Caliphate, threatening the nation’s Bengali soul. Simultaneously, he weaponized the ICT and turned it into an instrument of targeting Sheikh Hasina by appointing Jamaat-e-Islami leaders into key positions in it. As a result, Hasina was handed death penalty in two cases, while she faces hundreds of murder charges—most of which were lodged by the activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat.
More on Spotlight
Bangladesh's Solar Home Systems are an exemplar in energy access and climate resilience
Bangladesh's triumph in off-grid renewable energy, epitomized by the SHS program, serves as a global benchmark. The collaborative efforts of government, private sector, and public entities have ushered in a new era of sustainable energy.
Pakistan's climate emergency cries for timely action and international support
Pakistan's climatic catastrophe requires a global response. Developed countries must fulfill their pledges to provide financial and technological assistance to developing countries like Pakistan so that they can effectively mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Gratuitous advice amid global disorder: US needs to smell the roses
Quite unequivocally, strategic autonomy would be a hallmark of India’s foreign and security policy allowing it to oscillate between strategic proximity and strategic distancing depending on the circumstances and need of the hour. New Delhi would certainly not be guided by the script the US, or its Western allies prescribe.
Can Afghanistan transcend its dubious legacy of terrorism?
Madrassas in Pakistan and Afghanistan, often funded by Gulf states, have spread extremist ideologies. Saudi-financed madrasas in Pakistan taught Wahhabism, fostering a transnational network of militants using Afghanistan as a base. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia provided substantial aid and funding to these madrassas and the Mujahideen, promoting jihad against the Soviets.
Pakistan’s economic recovery contingent on political stability
Pakistan's continuous political turbulence, characterised by infighting and power rivalries, poses a serious threat to the country's economic development.
Bangladesh's recent violence was an expression of simmering political and social discontent
The violent conflicts have caused infrastructure damage, supply chain disruptions, and industry closures that have cost Bangladesh billions of dollars in lost revenue and negatively impacted essential industries like clothing, steel, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals. Its ramifications went beyond short-term financial losses.
Baloch national gathering: Call for a new era of struggle against Pakistani State brutalities
The whole Baloch nation has faced the worst form of oppression by the Pakistani State: they have been abducted, received mutilated bodies of their loved ones, confronted illegal raids, illegal detention, and bogus cases. They have not been allowed peaceful protests; they have been totally censored by mainstream media.
Strategic dialogue, Track 1.5 diplomacy necessary to maintain regional stability in South Asia
It is crucial for India and Pakistan to establish new confidence-building measures (CBMs) to mitigate the potential destabilizing effects of advanced technologies. Key elements of effective CBMs include robust communication channels, bilateral discussions on emerging technologies and their implications for regional peace, and strict adherence to missile test notification protocols.
Rekindling the spirit of communal amity in Sri Lanka: A Prime Minister's quest
In this newly revived spirit of amity, PM Gunawardena travelled from Jaffna to Kilinochchi by road. There were no protests and he was received at both venues with warmth and cordiality.
After back to back India visits, Hasina’s China visit demonstrates Bangladesh’s delicate balancing act
Hasina sees no contradiction in maintaining equity in ties with China and India as she is able to adeptly navigate the conflicting interests of China and India. Analysts feel that Dhaka will continue to have a balanced approach to ties with Beijing and New Delhi since Bangladesh depends on both for stability and growth.
Modi's Russia visit was to reaffirm strategic ties in uncertain times
The Moscow meeting was to understand each other's priorities and concerns according to the evolving geopolitics and reassure each other of their commitment to deepening their relationship in the coming years.
International education as soft power: Need for integration into nation’s foreign and security policies
A credible, viable, and sustainable foreign and security policy needs to see relationship building, collaboration, and cooperation as part of its education policy and driven by an aspiration for global good and human welfare.
The imperative of regional cooperation in South Asia
Today, the lack of regional cooperation in South Asia impedes development and has long-term negative economic, social and security ramifications. Over-reliance on foreign powers for partnerships and financial support can have adverse economic effects as seen in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Hasina's India visit is beneficial for regional stability and prosperity, China factor notwithstanding
India was keen to welcome PM Hasina before her China trip to ensure bilateral consensus on sensitive issues. Over the last several years, strategic ties have grown, with cooperation in science and technology, defence and security, energy, trade, commerce, and maritime issues. The goal of the visit was to strengthen these bonds.
