India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Bangladesh's interim government head Muhammad Yunus

Bangladesh–India Relations at a Crossroads: Needed Recalibration, Not Rupture

The current strains in Bangladesh–India relations should therefore be seen not as an inevitable deterioration, but as a test of diplomatic maturity. Bangladesh and India share more than geography and history; they share a responsibility to ensure that temporary political frictions do not harden into structural mistrust. In a time of regional uncertainty, neither country benefits from a relationship defined by grievance or miscommunication. 

A Dangerous Power Grab in Pakistan; Unpredictable Consequences For Region

The 27th Amendment, celebrated by its proponents as a security reform, is in reality a political coup executed through constitutional means. It marks not only Munir’s personal triumph but the institutional victory of the military over all other state authorities. As history warns, empowering any unelected institution above the republic’s elected will invites instability—not strength. Pakistan may soon discover that consolidating military power does not secure the nation’s future, but instead places it at greater risk

How Foreign Digital Influencers Are Tarnishing India’s Global Image

India must now transition from conventional soft-power thinking to visibility governance—the systematic management of how the country appears, circulates, and is emotionally interpreted across global platforms. Failure to do so will leave India’s global image increasingly shaped by commercial incentives outside Indian control.  

Afghanistan Should Not Get Caught In The India-Pakistan Strategic Rivalry

The strengthening of Taliban-India ties runs counter to Pakistan’s interests. The more border clashes intensify between the Taliban and Pakistan, the more secure the Kashmir region and the Line of Control (LoC) become for India. Under such conditions, Pakistan will remain preoccupied with its northwestern border, giving India a unique opportunity to consolidate its control over Kashmir and potentially weaken, drive out, or eliminate Kashmiri militant groups 

More on Spotlight

Why Bhutan quit the BBIN motor vehicle pact

Prime Minister Dasho Lotay Tshering has said that if Bhutan’s infrastructure, economy and trade improves, the country will undoubtedly want to be part of BBIN-MVA, writes Rinchen Kinznag for South Asia Monitor 

With Russian help, Bangladesh set to enter the age of nuclear power generation

The Roppur nuclear power plant is expected to be a model of clean energy in Bangladesh and provide affordable, reliable and quality electricity in the long run, writes Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor

Rhetoric and reality: Pakistan must wake up and smell the coffee

The coming weeks pose a serious challenge to the Pakistani government to deal with the TLP’s threats and increasing pressure, writes Shantanu Mukharji for South Asia Monitor

Are Japanese investors losing interest in India?

India's withdrawal from RCEP resulted in India losing out on the opportunity of re-shoring of Japanese investment from China, writes S. Majumder for South Asia Monitor

How climate change is linked to the continuing tragedy of Pakistani and Indian fishermen callously ignored by both nations

India and Pakistan’s toxic official relations continue to take a human toll and hold South Asia hostage even as the region deals with the crisis of climate change which includes fish migration patternswrites Beena Sarwar for South Asia Monitor

Bangladesh PM Hasina's meeting with Pakistani envoy has a message for India

China and Pakistan are always scouring for opportunities by utilizing any kind of strain in Bangladesh-India ties, and would obviously try to exploit the present regional political scenario, writes Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor

Afghan women - and not Western 'civilizing missions' - will lead the path to change and their emancipation

Being oblivious to the history and traditions of Afghanistan, misreading the local culture, or a sickening obsession with 'Islamic terrorism' has always clouded the reality for the West, writes Anondeeta Chakraborty for South Asia Monitor

With SAARC in limbo, BBIN governments should energize grouping for regional growth and development

The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal  (BBIN) sub-regional group has the potential to multiply the prosperity of its members, writes Amb. Sarvajit Chakravarti (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Annoying the gods: Trouble lies ahead for Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan

Pakistani analysts say the civil-military 'hybrid arrangement' has been severely dented and mutual mistrust has set in, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor

A case for a Western Leg of the Quad for the Indian Ocean

A potent Western Leg of Quad in partnerships with Russia, France, Japan and possibly Oman, South Africa, Indonesia and Singapore remains a must to craft, writes Lt Gen Yash Malhotra (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Regional ferment: Questionable US moves as Turkey moves closer to China-Russia-Iran-Pakistan bloc

A US drone base in Pakistan will adversely affect Pakistan-China relations;  it will arouse Taliban anger with whom Islamabad is negotiating to curb the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Behind the attacks on Bangladesh's Hindus: A battle for a nation's identity

Attacks on Hindu localities and places of worship, like temples and Durga Puja mandaps, are aimed at terrorizing Hindus so that they don't assert politically, stay away from voting and even vote against Awami League in frustration at lack of protection, writes Subir Bhaumik for South Asia Monitor 

Soft power rivalries: Imran Khan backs Turkish-Pakistani co-production to diminish 'Hollywood-Bollywood influence'

The Turkish actors are immensely popular in Pakistan, even as the women actors, glamorous and without any veils, even sporting swimwear in real lives, have drawn criticism from the Pakistani conservatives, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor

Minorities under assault in Bangladesh: Can civil society turn the tide?

While the ruling Awami League remains committed to protecting the minorities, the administration has been often unable to prevent Islamist rampages, writes Tapas Das for South Asia Monitor

India’s philosophical, spiritual traditions can give a new direction to global sustainable development

Instead of following the unsustainable growth example of the US and China, which is based on extreme greed and a very materialistic outlook, we should give the world a new direction of development where high technology is guided by spirituality, writes Anil K. Rajvanshi for South Asia Monitor