US Assistant Secretary of State S Paul Kapur meeting Sri Lanka President and Chinese officials meeting Sri Lanka party leadership

Colombo to Kathmandu, China Seeks to Counteract US Moves Across South Asia

While Washington and New Delhi seek to strengthen bilateral ties with Colombo, Beijing has strategically engaged with the political forces that control the government. By engaging directly with actors at the core of Sri Lanka’s governance, Beijing appears to be signalling its strategic intent—projecting influence and reinforcing ideological ties. 

A Divided EU Faces Growing Scrutiny Over Taliban Contacts

Some analysts accuse the EU of double-standards arguing  that the EU has been condemning Taliban policies since they assumed power, but were now holding direct discussions with them. Such meetings undermine the EU's credibility as a defender of human rights and democratic values.

Sentenced to Silence? Mahrang Baloch’s Life Imprisonment Raises Uncomfortable Questions for Pakistan

Despite the narrative of the Pakistani state, Mahrang Baloch’s international recognition grew  through 2024.  Time magazine included her in its TIME100 Next list of emerging influential figures, citing her advocacy against enforced disappearances while the BBC named her to its 100 Women list. 

Seychelles' Importance to India: Modi Visit and Quest for Maritime Security and Stable Indian Ocean

Great powers realise the strategic value of small island states - refuelling facilities, logistics hubs, electronic listening posts, maritime surveillance nodes, diplomatic partnerships and access to vast EEZs. Their influence derives more from geographic position and political choice than from demographic size. Seychelles exemplifies this reality.

More on Geopolitics and Strategic Affairs

Saudi rift increases Pakistan’s vulnerability

The growing burden of public debt remains a major source of vulnerability for Pakistan, especially when it has to borrow more and more to service its existing obligations, both domestic and foreign, writes N Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor

Congress' 'family' dilemma: Democracy bows to dynasty in India's oldest party

Can the ailing Sonia, a supposedly abrasive Rahul and a Priyanka carrying the burden of a tainted husband be inspirational? Or will the 135-year-old party slowly sink into oblivion to fulfil the BJP’s dream of a Congress-mukt (free) India?  writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor

The US vs China ideological battle, challenge for liberal democracies and an opportunity for India (Part II of two-part series)

China is also aware of India joining the US camp if driven too hard, apart from the increasing realisation that India is no longer a soft state and will stand resolutely and be prepared to fight when its core national interests are threatened, writes Lt Gen P R Kumar (retd) for South Asia Monitor

When will Kashmiri Pandits be resettled in their homeland?

For Kashmiri Pandits, Hindus, Sikh, and some Muslim migrants to be resettled meaningfully in the Valley, there is a need for a booster dose of political will, writes Anil Bhat for South Asia Monitor

Policy challenges for Bangladesh for the next two decades

The question is whether these initiatives are really sufficient enough to effectively lead Bangladesh in the next 21 years and are we in a position to set a comprehensive plan for short, mid and long-term mission to achieve the vision covering all sectors, writes Dr. Mohammad Rezaul Karim for South Asia Monitor

Rafale fleet will be a game-changer for India

As the scars of the recent border clash between China and India are still afresh and the tug of war between Pakistan and India over Kashmir continues, security concerns for each nation will continue to rise, writes Megda Bharadwaj for South Asia Monitor 

Bangladesh walks a tight rope between India, China

Bangladesh has two such neighbors - India and China - who are both trying to establish their prominence on their shared boundaries while also trying to get a powerful grip over South Asia, writes Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed for South Asia Monitor

Erosion of American global power: Reshuffling of the deck holds significance for China, India (Part 1 of two-part series)

The reshuffling of the deck internationally is taking place, and it will be interesting to watch it play out, and especially how India, and other South Asian countries, maneuver through the geostrategic maze, writes Lt Gen P R Kumar (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Rajapaksa win will impact on Sri Lankan polity, India ties

India must try and upgrade its ties with Sri Lanka to the level of strategic partnership, writes Pranay Kumar Shome for South Asia Monitor

Role of governors and speakers in political crises: Will India's constitutional guardians rise above partisan politics?

During the last 25 years both these so-called high constitutional offices have repeatedly come under judicial scrutiny and invited adverse comments from the Indian courts, writes Vinod Aggarwal for South Asia Monitor

Israel’s recognition by UAE is a game-changer: Pakistan-China moves need watching

More Gulf States inking peace with Israel will upset Chinese plans to upstage Saudi Arabia’s position in the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and replace it with Turkey, using Pakistan as the handle, writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor

India's National Education Policy: More hope than hype

What the Indian government has put forward is a grand vision and policy framework. It reflects the government’s aspirations as to where it would like to see learning, education, teaching, and research, writes Amit Dasgupta for South Asia Monitor

Nepal urgently needs mechanism for compliance of court orders

The non-compliance of court orders would not only lower the public confidence on the judiciary in Nepal, but it will also pose threats to judicial credibility and rule of law, writes Jivesh Jha for South Asia Monitor

South Asia: Finding trade options to boost regional economic ties

South Asian nations would see a bilateral advantage in establishing trade and economic relationships with each other and the formal association of economic cooperation - SAARC-  which they have set up would gain strength by giving each other more trade access and tariff concessions to their goods and services, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor

Education policy: Why is RSS running scared of English

It is clear that in the subcontinent, colonialism is a convenient bogey for the anti-English lobby, writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor