Atma Jayaram (1915-1990)

Atma Jayaram: India’s Gentleman Spymaster who loved Sri Lanka

Recently declassified documents from the National Archives in Colombo have shed light on Jayaram's involvement in assisting Sri Lanka during the leftist guerrilla insurrection that engulfed the island nation.  Acting on Jayaram's advice, 150 Indian Gurkha soldiers were reportedly deployed to protect Colombo International Airport.

Managing India--Border Tensions - and the 'New Normal'

It is an  elegantly worded statement and impossible to disprove. It turns a dispute about differing LAC perceptions,  acknowledged since 1993,  into a story of Chinese compliance and Indian deviation.  This is the new China that India must manage, not the old one.  

India's BRICS Legacy: Did 2026 Produce Something More Durable?

India achieved this in a group that has changed a great deal. BRICS now has 11 members and 10 partner countries, with very different political systems and, at times, sharply different views. In May 2026, a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi ended without a joint statement because of differences among members over the conflict in West Asia.

Is India-Pakistan Peace Possible? Need to Erase Religious Differences, Embrace Common Humanity

We must approach peace in the same way: One school screening, one honest history lesson, one interfaith friendship, one community conversation, and one courageous act at a time. We cannot change the past, but we can decide what we pass on to the next generation

More on Geopolitics, Security and Strategic Affairs

India must go beyond rhetoric; kinetic responses must be unpredictable, overwhelming

A recent article by Pakistani Army veteran Adil Raza offers disturbing insights. He writes that Pakistan, gripped by internal military desperation, has teetered on the edge of conflict not due to provocation but due to the Pakistan Army’s desire to manufacture crises to mask its domestic failures.

India-Pakistan Need a Path to Sustainable Peace

The path to sustainable peace will not be easy. There will be setbacks, and there will always be those who seek to derail the peace process. Sometimes, even conflict is framed as a path to larger peace—but such actions must always be the absolute last resort. Nations must ensure that voices of hatred do not drown out those of reason and compassion.

Pakistan must be paid back in its own coin: Need for cool thinking and calculated action

The abrogation of the Indus treaty, on the other hand, can be done in one stroke, followed by a firm refusal to respond to any diplomatic or judicial proceedings launched by Pakistan. This one act will undo an unfair treaty, augment India’s water resources and parch Pakistan.

Climate change action: Can legal recourse work in goading governments in South Asia?

South Asian countries have reported multiple litigations related to climate change.There are 14 such cases in India, six in Pakistan, four in Nepal and one in Sri Lanka. These include the landmark Asghar Leghari v. Federation of Pakistan case where a farmer sued the Pakistan government for not implementing the National Climate Change Policy of 2012 and the Framework for Implementation of Climate Change Policy (2014-2030). 

India can play a larger role in reducing US-Iran tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invested personal time and effort to rework India’s ties with every country in the Middle East/West Asia. And the results are showing -- India's relations with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and others have improved dramatically. Cooperation on counter terrorism – once an irritant between India and countries in the region – is now remarkably smooth

Rare Earths and the new Great Game: Is South Asia the new battleground?

The competition for rare earths in South-Central Asia is not just a story of mining—it is a story of power, politics, and people. Pakistan and Afghanistan sit on mineral treasure troves, but their benefit will depend on governance, peace, and equitable development. For India, the rare earth race presents both a challenge and an opportunity. It cannot afford to be a passive observer

India's transshipment cancellation: Steps towards ending Dhaka's economic reliance?

The cancellation has far-reaching implications. Bangladesh is now exploring alternative markets and trade routes. Imports of raw materials from countries like China, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan are likely to increase. Meanwhile, export costs to the Middle East and Western countries have already risen due to longer, more expensive transport routes.

BIMSTEC: Structural and political challenges hobble greater regional integration

India’s active role in BIMSTEC aligns with its broader strategic objectives under the Neighborhood First and Act East policies. The organization’s goals—connecting South and Southeast Asia, enhancing trade and connectivity, and boosting cooperation in maritime and non-traditional security sectors—complement India’s own regional priorities

Chill in India-Bangladesh ties taking heavy toll on cross-border trade and infrastructure

Bangladeshi authorities have noted that Matarbari Port  will also support feeder vessel services from India’s Kolkata and Haldia ports. This transshipment framework could facilitate efficient trade not only for India but also for landlocked neighbors like Nepal and Bhutan. However, much of this potential remains unrealized, and may continue to do so, amid Bangladesh’s current domestic challenges and diplomatic tensions with India

The rot within: Police assault on army officer highlights crying need for systemic reforms

While there is no debate that soldiers must be treated with dignity, civilians too are equally deserving of such respectful treatment. India is a democratic nation governed by the rule of law, which must apply uniformly—whether to a uniformed individual or a civilian. There should be no space for such high-handed behavior by the police or any other government agency that represents state authority.

Can a fish market and a temple co-exist? Fishy politics in an Indian capital corner tells a larger story

An eclectic faith with no supreme authority, that accommodate diverse centres of belief and practice, can always be susceptible to manipulation and misinterpretation. A tendency to arrogate theological authority to a self-serving stream of thought and negation of other religio-cultural practices is alien to the spirit of Sanatan Dharma, which is inherently inclusive in character and sees no basis for excluding any belief.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, extradited to India, can potentially throw light on Pakistan’s intelligence-terrorist nexus

Rana’s extradition is a legal victory for India, but it is symbolic considering that he was only one of the plotters of the Mumbai attacks. Headley, who was often described as a double agent working as an informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) at one point, was the man on the ground. For reasons which have remained a mystery he managed to strike a deal with the U.S. law enforcement under which both his extradition to India and potential death sentence were taken off the table in return for lifelong cooperation.

Financing Sustainable Development: South Asia’s Struggles Amid Global Shifts

South Asia faces mounting challenges in financing sustainable development due to global funding gaps, debt pressures, and shifting U.S. policies. Explore the latest trends, data, and implications.

Time is running out: Bangladesh must intensify diplomatic engagement on Rohingya repatriation

During his recent visit to China, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus urged Beijing to take a more proactive stance on Rohingya repatriation. In response, President Xi Jinping assured that China would raise the issue with Myanmar. Days later, Myanmar’s announcement signaled the potential influence of international stakeholders. The more pressure China exerts, the more likely Myanmar will cooperate

Modi visit to Sri Lanka: Religious diplomacy to boost ties

Most analysts believe that India changed Modi’s programme to appease the majority Buddhist community, which will be happy to see the Indian leader pay homage to Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura rather than visit the Tamil minority in Sampur in the east.

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