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Transnational Jihadist Chains And The Pakistani-Turkish Links: Red Flags For South Asian And Regional Security

Investigations by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Delhi Police in the recent Delhi bombing have indicated the plausibility of a transnational chain of coordination, linking operatives in India with handlers abroad, including individuals based in Turkey. NIA investigations identified a handler, codenamed 'Ukasa', reportedly located in Ankara, Turkey. Travel records confirmed several accused in the case of having visited Turkey between August and September 2022, where they reportedly met Syrian operatives while communicating with Pakistan-linked handlers.

Saffron Shades in Olive Green: The Risks of Politicizing India’s Armed Forces

This is not an argument against the personal faith of soldiers, nor a denial of the cultural identity of the majority. It is an argument for institutional restraint, for secular professionalism, and for recognizing that the military must represent all Indians, not only the largest community or the ruling party’s ideological core.

The Dawn of AI Deepfakes in 5th Generation Warfare: Need For Regional Framework To Counter Sinister Threat

On the evening of 10th November, a car exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort which took the lives of 13 people. Within the next six hours of the explosion, a confessional video in perfect Hindi language from Jaish-e-Muhammad starts circulating on WhatsApp and national television in India. In the next 12 hours the video had been seen by 40 million people. But what made it  intriguing was that within 24 hours many of the AI detection tools marked the video 99.9% synthetic

Transnational Jihadist Collaboration: ISI–LeT Nexus Threatening India, Reconfiguring Terror Landscape Across South Asia

The ISI–LeT nexus remains the most destabilizing factor in South Asia’s security architecture. With Pakistan actively leveraging its ideological networks in Bangladesh, the region faces the prospect of a renewed wave of cross-border terrorism. The alignment of extremist elements across Pakistan and Bangladesh not only threatens India’s national security but also endangers the stability of the entire subcontinent.

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Hasina’s legacy: Stellar growth marred by political stagnation, stalled democracy

The considerable economic progress under Hasina's governance starkly contrasts with the stagnation in political reforms. Persistent issues such as limited press freedom, corruption, and inadequate improvements in democracy, rule of law, and human rights have marred her administration’s record

Bangladesh at crossroads: Expectations high from interim government on restoration of democracy

The interim government is led by civilian leadership. However, the extent of military control in this government remains unclear. According to some political observers, even if not officially present, the military will have a significant influence on this government. 

After Olympian rivalry, a lesson in civility from Indian and Pakistani mothers

At a time when unvarnished animus for one another is often the norm in India and Pakistan, not to mention Bangladesh now, the two simple women have offered a lesson in decency, dignity and civility.

The unending agony of Afghan women: Caught in the stranglehold of a deeply patriarchal society

Rural women have said that the physical and sexual security of women was strongly protected under the Taliban regime. The women in Afghanistan are caught in a conundrum. While they resent systemic social repression and denial of gender rights under the Taliban regime, the return of political instability in the country they fear can increase their physical and sexual insecurity.

Rampant smuggling across Afghan-Pak border jeopardising regional security

Smuggling activities along the Afghan border are often linked with militant groups and organized crime. The illegal trade of arms has contributed to the proliferation of the "Kalashnikov culture" across the length and breadth of Pakistan. 

Nightmare returns in Bangladesh: Extremists aim to destabilise country under guise of student protest

Given the nature of these 'student' demonstrations, it is apparent that Bangladesh faces serious danger from a network of underground political activists and extremists aiming to destabilise the country. These issues are putting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership to the test

Securing the digital frontier: India needs to adopt a holistic strategy to strengthen cybersecurity

Google and Facebook, which collect vast amounts of user data, will be required to overhaul their data-handling practices to meet the stringent requirements of the bill. Critics argue that certain provisions grant excessive power to the government, potentially undermining the very privacy protections the bill seeks to establish.

The growing salience of India’s state governments in expansion of India-UAE ties

A growing area of cooperation between India and the UAE is agriculture. UAE has committed to setting up three food parks in India - in the states of Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh - at an estimated cost of $2 billion to address the issue of food security as both countries had also agreed to set up a food corridor. 

Bangladesh's quota movement: From peaceful protests to attempt at 'Bengali Spring'?

It is undeniable that although the movement was initially for quota reform, it later took the shape of a movement to overthrow the government. It was an attempt to taste power through undemocratic, back-alley, violent means. An attempt was made to create a "Bengali Spring: in Bangladesh in the style of the Arab Spring.

Exponential growth in India-Saudi Arabia relations: Moving past the Pakistan factor

The inclusion of the military dimension in India-Saudi Arabia relations is of great strategic significance which is expected to gain more momentum in the future.

Bangladesh's Solar Home Systems are an exemplar in energy access and climate resilience

Bangladesh's triumph in off-grid renewable energy, epitomized by the SHS program, serves as a global benchmark. The collaborative efforts of government, private sector, and public entities have ushered in a new era of sustainable energy. 

Pakistan's climate emergency cries for timely action and international support

Pakistan's climatic catastrophe requires a global response. Developed countries must fulfill their pledges to provide financial and technological assistance to developing countries like Pakistan so that they can effectively mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Gratuitous advice amid global disorder: US needs to smell the roses

Quite unequivocally, strategic autonomy would be a hallmark of India’s foreign and security policy allowing it to oscillate between strategic proximity and strategic distancing depending on the circumstances and need of the hour. New Delhi would certainly not be guided by the script the US, or its Western allies prescribe.

Can Afghanistan transcend its dubious legacy of terrorism?

Madrassas in Pakistan and Afghanistan, often funded by Gulf states, have spread extremist ideologies. Saudi-financed madrasas in Pakistan taught Wahhabism, fostering a transnational network of militants using Afghanistan as a base. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia provided substantial aid and funding to these madrassas and the Mujahideen, promoting jihad against the Soviets. 

Pakistan’s economic recovery contingent on political stability

Pakistan's continuous political turbulence, characterised by infighting and power rivalries, poses a serious threat to the country's economic development.