Left: Outgoing Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah makes a farewell call on Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Right: Release of coffee-table book Ilish:The Fish at the Bangladeshi High Commission

An Ilish Fest Becomes a Test of Diplomacy in Strained India-Bangladesh Ties

Hamidullah’s tenure has been marked by promotion of Bangladesh's soft power, with the envoy going around the country underlining the deep roots of people-to-people ties. 

Mounting Instability in Pakistan: Consequences for Regional Security

India must also recognise that Pakistan's internal security crisis has wider regional implications. Escalating Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions could create additional uncertainty along the western frontier, while attacks on Chinese projects could affect regional connectivity and investment.

Indian Artillery: Speed of Acquisition Is as Important for Readiness as Technology

India has demonstrated that it can develop and manufacture modern artillery systems. What needs reassessment is how quickly we acquire, integrate and field them, and how effectively we ensure that new technologies communicate and operate together.

Why Dhaka and Delhi Must Find Common Ground - and Their Shared Space

If India says the security of its Northeast, border management, trade and connectivity matter, Bangladesh can equally say that water sharing, deaths at the border, market access, energy security, river management and sovereign equality matter to it. 

More on Geopolitics, Security and Strategic Affairs

Bangladesh has a key role in combating maritime threats in Bay of Bengal

The US, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives and others can work together with Bangladesh to deal with regional maritime problems, writes Jubeda Chowdhury for South Asia Monitor

India’s export of Brahmos missiles to the Philippines has larger geopolitical significance

The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme that began in 1983 under the stewardship of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is an island of Indian perseverance and quiet success, writes Cmde C. Uday Bhaskar (retd,) for South Asia Monitor

Why Pakistani media now lavishes praise on Bangladesh

While the Pakistani media is now asking its government to follow the Bangladesh model, it remains a sore point that Bangladesh was an exploited colony of Pakistan, writes Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor

In a changing South Asia, India, Pakistan must reach middle ground to converge mutual interests

NGOs like South Asia Peace Action Network (SAPAN) and Aaghaz-e-Dosti deserves mention for relentlessly trying to end enmity and distrust between the two countries, writes Anondeeta Chakraborty for South Asia Monitor

Why Gotabaya is battling a crisis no Sri Lankan leader has faced

As Sri Lanka descends deeper into economic chaos, the popularity of the President and his government have declined to levels never seen before for any political regime reaching midterm, writes Indika Hettiarachchi for South Asia Monitor

In the intricate web of the Islamist terror network, growing calls for jihad against China

In the face of jihadi threats against it, it remains to be seen how China responds; or will it continue to fund and support nations like Pakistan that are the terror factories of many jihadist designs? writes Aparna Rawal for South Asia Monitor 

India urged to act to help Tamils live in dignity in Sri Lanka: Can Modi pressure the Rajapaksas?

It is open to speculation what and how much India can do for the minority Tamils vis-à-vis Colombo, which is slowly again extending a hand of friendship to New Delhi after trying to prop up China as a counter, writes M R Narayan Swamy for South Asia Monitor

Maldives needs to be wary of the Chinese debt trap

Beijing will try its level best to lure Maldives more into its debt trap and wean it away from India, writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Political alignment and networked economy boosts India’s conglomerate capitalism

Scarcely a day passes without news of a big-ticket acquisition or investment by Reliance or Adani biting into every lucrative business venture in India and South Asia, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor

2022 holds little promise for Afghanistan; India must maintain informal contacts with Kabul

Chances are that the churn in Afghanistan may end up singeing those who take an intrusive interest in its affairs, writes Amb Rajiv Dogra (retd) for South Asia Monitor

India: A nation in disharmony with its philosophical and constitutional values

The values that are glorified today ironically are those that were always held anathema by classical Hindu society - majoritarianism, intolerance, hatred, and revanchism, writes Tarun Basu for South Asia Monitor 

A success story turns sour: Rise and fall of a Sri Lankan strongman

Amid shortages of even essential goods and runaway inflation, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s image has taken a solid beating, writes P. Jayaram for South Asia Monitor

Now Bangladesh to aid Kabul beat hunger and disease

Bangladesh – which has in recent times extended loans to Sri Lanka and the Maldives – is also home to about 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, writes Samina Akhter for South Asia Monitor 

Afghanistan's problems require a collective regional solution; India must play a leading role

If Afghanistan does not witness a modicum of internal stability, adherence to human values and shuns terrorism of all hues, not only the region but beyond too will be impacted adversely, writes Lt Gen Kamal Davar (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Bangladesh and Maldives: Bridging geographical distances through common political commitments, religious values

Hasina's visit to the Maldives is in keeping with Bangladesh's larger aspirations, writes Ozair Islam for South Asia Monitor