Haj will continue to be the harbinger of cultural and economic cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia, writes Dr H A Nazmi for South Asia Monitor
Political violence in Pakistan: A nation on the brink of division?
Pakistan’s struggle for peace and stability is far from over. As the government seeks accountability for those responsible for this violent protest, the need for healing has never been more pressing. PTI’s leadership must be held accountable for their role in inciting violence, spreading misinformation, and damaging the country’s social fabric.
US-India dynamics could influence ties with Bangladesh, redefine regional politics
The sensationalized reports from Indian media about attacks on minorities could further complicate this dynamic, potentially shaping Trump's perceptions and policies toward Bangladesh. The fear is that these narratives could lead to a skewed understanding of the situation in Bangladesh, undermining Yunus’s efforts to establish legitimacy and garner international support.
Marx, Mao or Modi? Sri Lanka's delicate balancing act
Things changed overnight and within hours after the presidential election results were announced, India’s High Commissioner in Colombo Santosh Jha turned up at the JVP office in capital Sri Jayawardenepura with a bouquet of red roses. Interestingly, Dissanayake in his brief conversation with the Indian envoy, recalled his visit to India and said that too was a contributory factor in his victory.
Sharing stories and voices of South Asia: Can a Kathmandu film festival act as a catalyst for regional collaboration?
Film Southasia is more than just a film festival. It brings together creative voices from across the region, establishing Kathmandu as a regional hub where South Asian storytellers connect across borders. It has become a special space where artists can share their stories and break down the barriers that often keep South Asian countries apart. Over the years, the festival has welcomed many iconic cultural figures, including poet-filmmaker Gulzar, actor Shabana Azmi, and directors Shyam Benegal and Goutam Ghose.
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Modi's ‘high-risk’ coup could yield rich dividends in Jammu & Kashmir
Those who have closely watched Modi believe that the prime minister wanted to give a clear signal that his government would be in a pro-active mode to handle long pending issues, writes Arun Anand for South Asia Monitor
Why Pakistan got trapped in its Kashmir plebiscite demand
The reason Pakistan was afraid of the plebiscite was that the raiders and troops it had sent in “had indulged in loot, arson, rape, and murder in the State. Scores of villages and towns were destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people uprooted, writes Arul Louis for South Asia Monitor
India's move will bring investments into Jammu & Kashmir, create employment
Pakistan can be expected to up the ante on terror, but any misadventure by Pakistan will be suitably responded to by India, writes Lt Gen Prakash Chand Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor
In Kashmiri psyche, Hindu majoritarianism will replace a multicultural democratic India as national symbol
If, in the name of security, the BJP can, with one stroke, undo the federal asymmetry which was a product of the unique circumstances pertaining to the accession of J&K state to India, with a complex set of legal and constitutional mechanisms, the same can be done to the Northeast special powers, but with greater ease, writes Reeta Tremblay for South Asia Monitor
The course of three South Asian democracies - Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives
After a decade, these three countries - Nepal, a Hindu majority country, Bhutan, a Buddhist country and Maldives, an Islamic country - make a compelling study in the journey of democracy, writes Rishija Singh for South Asia Monitor
India's nuclear policy has destablised South Asia: A Pakistani view
Despite dramatization of Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, it is quite clear that South Asia has remained safe from any major conflict due to Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, writes Rabia Javed for South Asia Monitor
The dichotomy in Bangladesh: Democracy or development
By narrowing the space for dissent and dichotomizing values, the ruling Awami League has effectively defanged the opposition, media as well as ordinary people writes Rishija Singh for South Asia Monitor
India's hyper-nationalist narratives helped Pakistan Army stay relevant
The warmongering narrative, primarily driven by the ruling party and the media at large, may fetch some electoral gains to the BJP but it has proved to be welcome fodder for the Army in Pakistan as it tries to reinvent itself to remain relevant, writes Mayank Mishra for South Asia Monitor
India and Pakistan: Will there be a spring in ties?
As those who follow the India-Pakistan dynamic would know, there are two aspects to this relationship, often diametrically at odds with each other. A neutral observer would not know where the truth lies - perhaps, in between
India-ASEAN partnership: New Delhi must provide a balance to Beijing
Some foreign policy analysts from Southeast Asia have questioned the lack of performance by India, hinting at a subtle resistance to the concept of “Indo-Pacific” as a replacement to the old “Asia-Pacific,” writes Tunchinmang Langel for South Asia Monitor
Afghan refugees in India: The nowhere people
Given their situation, the only reason most Afghan refugees are staying on in India is to get a chance to go to any European country, writes Khatima Emami for South Asia Monitor
History tells us Pakistan Army will play spoiler
In a tumultuous fortnight, during which many an illusion was shattered at the turn of the year, some home truths emerged in the chronically accident-prone ties between India and Pakistan
