Unlike many other South Asian countries, Bangladesh's prudent and selective engagement with China's BRI has helped Dhaka avoid debt problems, writes Sheikh Abdur Rahman for South Asia Monitor
Bangladesh’s Lord Ram Statue Controversy fuels Renewed Debate over Religious Freedom and Social Cohesion
The controversy surrounding the proposed Lord Ram statue has emerged at a time when the BNP government has been in office for only 100 days. Some political observers believe that certain groups may be attempting to exploit the issue to deepen existing tensions between Bangladesh and India
Foreign Funds, Civil Society Freedoms, National Security and India-US Friction
Every democracy permits foreign funding under regulated conditions. The question is whether democratic states possess adequate mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability and protection against external influence operations, which could be against core national interests.
India's Push-In Policy on Suspected Illegal Immigrants: Need to Mitigate Human Suffering
Over the past two months, a series of alleged push-in incidents along the Bangladesh-India border has reportedly left scores of people stranded in zero-line and no-man's-land areas under difficult conditions.
From Protectorates to Partners: The US Resets Security Expectations in Asia
The central message at the Shangri-La Dialogue is that America is staying, but on new terms. It will remain the core military balancer in the Indo-Pacific, but it expects allies and partners to become serious contributors. The era of strategic free-riding is ending. The new Indo-Pacific order will increasingly be defined by those willing and able to share the burden of preserving it.
More on Geopolitics and Strategic Affairs
Sri Lankan economic catastrophe has a message for Bangladesh
Bangladesh may not face the same situation as Sri Lanka in the near future but it has considerable weaknesses in its economy and good-governance processes, writes Aashish Kiphayet for South Asia Monitor
To buy or not to buy Russian oil: Uncertainties ahead for India’s energy security
The allure of Russian oil for India, however, is more than the imperatives of energy security. It also has deep stakes with $16 billion of investments in various oil and gas projects in Russia, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asian Monitor
With street protests mounting, time running out for Sri Lanka's Rajapaksas
Given that Sri Lanka has a post-independence history of episodic JVP militancy in 1971 and 1987, there is concern about the direction the street protests may take, writes N. Sathiya Moorthy for South Asia Monitor
A 'Kaptan' makes an inglorious exit: Who will now be the Establishment's proxy in Pakistan?
On two counts – annoying Army and America, two of the three pillars on which Pakistan’s polity stands -- may block Imran Khan's future comeback. Only the third, Allah, can help, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor
Why Bangladesh won’t become a Sri Lanka or Pakistan
Bangladesh has very strong leadership, pragmatic fiscal policy and foreign reserves. The Sri Lankan case is totally different, writes Mehjabin Bhanu for South Asia Monitor
Is hate speech becoming the ‘new normal’ in India?
From within the Muslim community there are extremist elements who in the name of Islam provide much-needed provocations to majoritarian politics, writes Dr Ram Puniyani for South Asia Monitor
India has a deal with Australia: Will it be a precursor to more FTAs?
The ECTA with Australia will boost India’s confidence in signing similar trade pacts with the UK and EU, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor
A land of plenty reduced to penury: Can Sri Lankans carve a new future?
Amid Sri Lanka’s crippling shortages, Hirunika Premachandra Yatowita, daughter of a slain SLFP MP and herself a former MP from Colombo, is being seen as a new leader, writes P. Jayaram for South Asia Monitor
South Asian nations need structural adjustment to step up growth
Some major countries of South Asia have recently had Article IV consultations with the IMF since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor
Wang Yi's South Asia tour: Seeking a new world order with Chinese characteristics?
Xi has been quick to grab the opportunity to launch his own diplomatic blitzkrieg by sending his Foreign Minister Wang Yi to South Asia, writes Amb Dilip Sinha (retd) for South Asia Monitor
China needs to roll back 2020 invasion and settle border issue with India
China needs to seriously think whether it wants to continue the confrontation with India or settle the border with irrevocable guarantees, writes Lt Gen P.C. Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Blasphemy: The curse of South Asia
Governments across South Asia need to display stronger political will against violence and unrest over communal and religious issues, writes Shubham for South Asia Monitor
Kashmir Files: It will have a negative impact on carefully nurtured Kashmiriyat
The film lives to its own dialogue that showing wrong is as dangerous as hiding the truth; it totally hides the murders and exodus of Muslims, writes Dr Ram Puniyani for South Asia Monitor
The new polarizing instrument of Hindi cinema
The film has soured Hindu-Muslim relations to an extent in Kashmir - and also in the rest of the country - that the Pandits will be unable to settle down as before in close proximity with their Muslim neighbours, writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor
