Venu Naturopathy

 

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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.

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Is Pakistan headed for Lal Masjid 2.0? Maulana’s return may trigger another crisis

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US-Taliban deal: Pakistan emerges triumphant

Ending the long war in Afghanistan and getting the boys back would help President Trump’s bid for a second presidential term but he may be creating a bigger Frankenstein in the combined Af-Pak region that would come to haunt America in the future, writes Lt Gen PC Katoch (retd.) for South Asia Monitor

Why education was a game-changer in the Delhi elections

For years Delhi government schools were known for their indifferent pedagogy, rundown buildings, large dropout percentages and were synonymous with all that was wrong with the country's public-sector education system, writes Tarun Basu for South Asia Monitor

Trump visit: US can help India shore up its naval power

Just before the American  president  sets  course for India, a senior US official noted  that  the US wants an India that is strong with a capable military that supports peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, writes Cmde C Uday Bhaskar (retd) for South Asia Monitor 

Despite intense efforts, Pakistan remains on FATF grey list

Having understood the American game plan, India acted swiftly to minimise the danger by ensuring that Pakistan did not get off the 'grey list' till its compliance is fully confirmed, writes Brig Anil Gupta (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Trump visit may be high on optics, low on substance

The visit will be high on optics and low on substance as both Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seek relief from domestic pressures and revalidation before their citizens, writes Arul Louis for South Asia Monitor

To win war against polio, Pakistan must first win war against extremism

The issue of polio eradication has taken a perilous form in Pakistan due to the deadly mixture of militancy and developmental issues, writes Sanchita Bhattacharya for South Asia Monitor

When Trump comes calling, tech collaboration should be high on agenda

Technology collaboration by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, specifically in the high technology segment, could be great lever of strategic and public policy partnerships for both countries, writes Kumar Deep (@kumar_deep) for South Asia Monitor

Can India enhance foreign investor confidence?

India may have jumped the rankings in The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business but foreign and domestic investors seek improvements in the ease of doing business on the ground, especially in the states, writes N Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor

Modi government balancing structural reforms with ideological commitments

The 'tax charter' ushers India into a new era where the rights of taxpayers in terms of imposition and payment of taxes are recognized for the first time, writes Arun Anand for South Asia Monitor

For India's growth to revive, needed deep-going structural reforms

India Inc’s confidence will certainly be boosted with a more transparent and non-adversarial tax regime and a business-friendly policy framework that improves the conditions for doing business on the ground, especially in the various states, writes N Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor 

For a place at the global high table, India’s maritime strength needs bolstering

The IN has been at the forefront in supporting the country’s security and diplomatic initiatives in the region through extensive bilateral and multilateral interaction, writes Cmdre Anil Jai Singh (retd) for South Asia Monitor

India should take the lead in regional connectivity and integration

If India has to progress towards deeper engagement under the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, it has to integrate some of the genuine concerns of its strategic regional partners, writes Kumar Deep for South Asia Monitor 

India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy: Need to put money where its mouth is

The enthusiasm Modi has shown towards the neighbourhood, through his numerous visits has not got translated in overall policy during these years, writes Alakh Ranjan  for South Asia Monitor

Popular apathy towards elections a sign of institutional shortcomings in Bangladesh?

Fracturing political institutions like the Election Commission, Parliament and the Judiciary are also responsible for the popular apathy and political decay in Bangladesh, writes Akmal Hossain for South Asia Monitor