In the wake of COVID-19, India, with its medical diplomacy, struck the right chords and made the best use of its soft power stature in this crisis and has been trying to fill the global leadership vacuum, writes V K Samudrala for South Asia Monitor
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
Strengthening of rural institutions a must to revive economy
The economic discourse in India in a little over two months has changed from one of confidently steering the economy through investment and consumption measures to one of the stimulus packages for the needy and the vulnerable by government and liquidity infusion by RBI for businesses and jobs to survive, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor
With theatres shut, artistes need urgent help for survival
We have to reach out across the country to help these performing artistes, backstage technicians, designers, cultural entities and their employees to endure the economic hardships caused by the forced closure of their operations due to the spread of COVID-19, writes Gautam Bhattacharya for South Asia Monitor
With Facebook-Jio mega deal, retailing in India enters a digital future
The future of India’s retail thus is increasingly digital. Post COVID-19, consumers especially in urban India are bound to change their behaviour, avoiding crowded bazaars and malls and preferring to shop online. Kiranas -- there are 12 million small and medium retailers employing 40 million people, writes Nadella Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor
Will one see a paradigm shift in education? Virtual classrooms the new norm
With such positive initiatives towards a totally technology-driven and -leveraged communication culture, the day seems to be not very far when one will see a paradigm shift in education - from a brick-and-mortar education to a click-and-portal one, writes Ashim Kumar Goswami for South Asia Monitor
Why has Pakistan deployed LY-80 missiles near the India border?
Pakistan wants to fulfill several objects by placing LY-80 missiles near Indian borders, writes Jai Kumar Verma for South Asia Monitor
As China faces world's ire, time for India to rise
As many nations relocate their industries to newer locations, India should play its cards well and, with alacrity, could be one of the preferred destinations for replacing China, writes Lt Gen Kamal Davar(retd) for South Asia Monitor
South Asian nations should enhance public spending on health, scientific research
There is a need to invest in scientific research in the South Asian region so that disease control measures could be taken in the right earnest, writes Shubham Singh for South Asia Monitor
COVID-19 and the growing vulnerability of overseas Bangladeshis
Due to COVID-19, Bangladeshi workers abroad are caught jobless, quarantined in shabby living places, mentally disturbed because of their family crisis of getting no money, fear of being affected by the coronavirus aftermath and uncertainties of being back in Bangladesh, write Dr. Mohammad Rezaul Karim and Dr. Mohammad Tarikul Islam for South Asia Monitor
Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Council, once hailed, leading to power tussles
Some of the decisions by the CC have resulted in a major tussle between the Council and the Executive in Sri Lanka, writes Sugeeswara Senadhira for South Asia Monitor
Future of work: Need to address widening mismatch between skill, academic training and employment
Devising a strategy to help close the digital skills gap should be a key focus for all businesses during the next decade and beyond, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor
A conflict-ridden AfPak region where fighting COVID-19 is not a priority
A common thread that runs through them is of COVID-19 taking the back seat in the plans and actions of various stakeholders in the AfPak region working at cross-purposes, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor
On Ramzan eve, India seeks to allay Gulf concerns over Islamophobia
There is growing realization within the government and diplomatic community that India stands to lose a great deal in allowing Islamophobia to spread within India and among Indians abroad and some nimble diplomacy is required to change perceptions, writes Nilova Roy Chaudhury for South Asia Monitor
Can India's pharma soft power work in South Asia?
Indian pharma’s soft power has, no doubt, opened up possibilities for foreign policy in the neighbourhood, writes N Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor
India, France, China should WAVE to fight future viruses
The terrific trio of Modi, Macron and XI should meet over videoconference and announce WAVE. They have the capability and potential to make history, writes Rajendra Shende for South Asia Monitor
