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
China’s Criminal Footprint in Sri Lanka has Regional Security Implications
When a Chinese company won the contract to establish hybrid wind and solar energy projects on three islands off the northern Jaffna peninsula—just 45 km from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu—the security implications extended far beyond economics. Against this backdrop, India’s concerns are entirely justifiable. Sri Lanka faces a pressing question: how will the nation confront the infiltration of Chinese global criminal networks? Since Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure, Chinese presence in Colombo has steadily increased, with Sri Lanka positioned as a partner state in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
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
More on Geopolitics, Security and Strategic Affairs
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
Bangladesh-Pakistan ties: Closing the gap, increasing the gains
The younger generation of both countries is keen to forge stronger ties between these two Muslim-majority countries in the region, writes Mehjabin Bhanu for South Asia Monitor
A missile misfire that could have gone horribly wrong
Fortunately, Pakistan never went ballistic and their reaction has averted what could have potentially led to a disastrous escalation, writes Maj Gen Jagatbir Singh (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Afghanistan’s cricket future looks promising, despite political challenges back home
Afghanistan owes a measure of its progress to the India cricket board and its generosity in providing to the embattled Afghan cricketers the use of ‘home’ grounds in India, writes Qaiser Mohammed Ali for South Asia Monitor
