Wolf World or a Multipolar World

Wolf World or a Multipolar World? How Major Powers Exercise Power Will Determine Emerging International Order

The growing role of middle powers adds another layer of complexity. Yet the term itself remains imprecise. Not every country outside the United States and China qualifies as a middle power, and many reject the label altogether. India, for example, increasingly sees itself as a leading power pursuing strategic autonomy rather than as a middle power seeking alignment with one bloc or another.

Is Northeast India's Permit System Inhibiting India-Japan Paradiplomacy? Colonial-Era System may be Stumbling Block to Subnational Exchanges

If India and Japan genuinely envision Northeast India as the gateway connecting South Asia with the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific, then the next chapter of the partnership cannot remain confined to New Delhi and Tokyo. It must also be written in Guwahati, Shillong, Aizawl, Imphal, Agartala, Kohima, Gangtok and Itanagar 

Bangladesh's Strategic Balancing and India's Neighbourhood Challenge: China Will Consolidate Influence if New Delhi Fails to Deliver

In several neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, China has demonstrated an ability to move from agreements to implementation far more rapidly than many competitors. India, despite enjoying unmatched geographic and cultural advantages, has often struggled with delays 

Are the Echoes of 1971 Growing Louder in Balochistan? Voices that Pakistan Refuses to Hear

The echoes of 1971 are not proof that Balochistan will become another Bangladesh. They are proof that Pakistan has yet to learn what East Pakistan was trying to tell it in the first place: that a state cannot indefinitely draw wealth from a people it refuses to hear. 

More on Geopolitics and Strategic Affairs

Is China eyeing more territory in India and Bhutan?

The visit by the Indian Army chief to Bhutan in the backdrop of China’s territorial advances in Bhutan and India have brought into focus China’s future intentions, writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Why India should reconsider its ties with Russia

But even if we put the moral aspect aside and try to be pragmatic, to regard Russia as a future strategic partner is also wrong. It will not bring any benefit - economic or military – to India, write Prof (Dr) Vesselin Popovski, Prof Abhinav Mehrotra and Surabhi Bhandari for South Asia Monitor

Will ICJ ruling open the door to Rohingyas' return to Myanmar?

By holding the military accountable for its atrocities against the Rohingya, the ICJ might create the incentive for further international action to ensure justice for all victims of Myanmar’s security forces, writes Dr Arpita Hazarika for South Asia Monitor

Myanmar’s executions: A people let down by the world

The recent executions are an attempt to terrorize the people to move away from that path of dissidence and political activism, writes Sreeradha Datta for South Asia Monitor

Population as a democratic dividend: Skill training at international levels is key to India securing its citizen’s future

High quality STEM education will enable India to lead the world in the evolving technological and knowledge-based economy, writes Amb Sarvajit Chakravarti (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Indian Army chief’s Dhaka visit: Bilateral security and strategic ties are set to get stronger

India-Bangladesh bonhomie on the security front has reached newer heights. Their strategic relations will continue to add more depth and momentum, writes Kamal Uddin Mazumder for South Asia Monitor

Uphill tasks for Sri Lanka’s two new leaders: Political and economic reforms an imperative

The people have determined that a new political order is required because of the negative experiences from the past, where the legislative and executive powers opposed each other, resulting in instability, writes Sugeeswara Senadhira for South Asia Monitor

Connectivity as a new paradigm in India-Bangladesh relations: Enhanced opportunities and challenges

Keeping in mind the economic progress of Bangladesh, it can be said that besides the construction of the Padma Bridge, the new communication system being developed between the two countries will further strengthen their bonds, writes Tapan Das for South Asia Monitor

Why Bangladesh is unlikely to face a debt crisis like Sri Lanka

Bangladesh has already taken cautionary measures to not be a loan defaulter to avoid a Sri Lanka like situation, writes Sufian Siddique for South Asia Monitor

Devastating floods in northeast India and Bangladesh: Governments must have action plans resilient to climate change

Floods in the Brahmaputra basin in Assam and downstream Bangladesh are common every year, especially during the June-September monsoon that brings South Asia most of its annual rainfall

National emblem: What is the image that a modern India wants to project?

It must be noted that tolerance, acceptability and confidence form a nation’s basic tenets. Aggression, violence and intolerance stall its progress and development, write Abhinav Mehrotra and Dr Biswanath Gupta for South Asia Monitor

Imran Khan's stunning victory will have wider implications for Pakistan and beyond

Although the results will change the government in Punjab, a politically important province of 110 million people, its implications may not be limited to the province, writes Shraddha Nand Bhatnagar for South Asia Monitor

How renewable energy partnership can boost Bhutanese, BBIN economy

India can also help Bhutan to realize its green goals by promoting hybrid CNG/electric powered passenger and goods transport vehicles. These vehicles may be based at an EV park at Phuntsholing. Goods received there after customs clearance can then be distributed by Bhutan's own transport systems, employing their own nationals as drivers, helpers, mechanics and loaders, writes Amb Sarvajit Chakravarti (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Lessons from Sri Lanka for autocratic regimes

What can we learn from Sri Lanka's disastrous style of ruling, intensification of sectarian divides, marginalization of minorities and power concentrated in autocrats is there for all to see, writes Dr Ram Puniyani for South Asia Monitor

Diversity as soft power: India’s cultural diplomacy should spread message of its inclusive democracy

India also no longer capitalizes adequately upon her best known international icons such as Mahatma Gandhi, writes Amb Sarvajit Chakravarti (retd) for South Asia Monitor