Indira Gandhi and Donald Trum

The Architecture of Disruption: Structural Parallels Between Indira Gandhi and Donald Trump

For democracies under pressure, the lesson is sobering. Institutions do not only collapse when attacked from outside; they can also be hollowed out from within by leaders who master the language of mass appeal better than the language of internal restraint. 

Bangladesh's Bid to Clear a US-Wanted Terror Fugitive Raises Troubling Questions

Although the Yunus administration was replaced by an elected government in February 2026, the influence of Islamist groups, jihadist organizations, and religious extremists has reportedly remained largely unchanged. As a result, several prominent leaders of Islamist organizations and militant groups continue to gain strength.

81 Years After Hiroshima: Don't Normalize the Unthinkable

August 6 is not a day for ceremonies alone. It is a day to remember why restraint was carefully created in the first place  and to  prevent another Hiroshima - Nagasaki. A third devastation, deliberate or accidental will  take less than 43 seconds.

The Shrinking Policy Space for Small States: Lessons from Bangladesh, Implications for India

New Delhi's wariness is not really about the river, or even the defence talks in isolation. It is about what Chinese capital and now a nascent security channel, both sitting in a border-adjacent basin, imply for India's own economic and security position.

More on Geopolitics, Security and Strategic Affairs

Post-Glasgow, India should become a leader in the green energy drive

By becoming a leader in the green energy movement now, India can reap economic and climate change benefits for the nation and its citizens in the future, writes Frank F Islam for South Asia Monitor 

Playing with fire: Communal flames in India pose a national threat

It is a sad picture of India of the 21st century that communal fires have erupted in states as far apart as Tripura and Maharashtra, writes Jagdish Rattanani for South Asia Monitor 

Why Sri Lanka and Bangladesh need a FTA

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh must sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and, if needed, a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to boost trade and connectivity, writes Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor 

Why a strategic turnaround by Modi on the farm laws

The Modi government in India has repealed farm laws as it does not want to pay a political price in coming state elections, writes Jagdish Rattanani for South Asia Monitor 

How bad is Afghanistan’s economy? Recipe for a failed state

Extractive institutions ensured that the limited gains of growth in Afghanistan were cornered by political elites like warlords, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor

The maritime dimension of the India-Pakistan conflict

With geopolitical rivalry in the Indian Ocean Region intensifying, China and Turkey are exploiting Pakistan’s troubled relations with India to push forward their own strategic interests, writes Niranjan Marjani for South Asia Monitor 

Beijing’s Asian solidarity is a China-dominated Asia

The Indian foreign minister’s statement still does not convey the strength that a bully like China would appreciate, writes Lt Gen Prakash Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Pilgrim movement, wheat to Afghanistan and hockey diplomacy: A new thaw in frosty India-Pakistan ties?

Imran Khan’s move, like the Kartarpur Corridor, is bound to have the blessings of the powerful Pakistan Army, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor  

Sri Lanka’s fertilizer travails and China’s looming shadow

Colombo’s biggest source of China-dependence is to service its external debt; it already owes China over $5 billion in past loans, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor

Fulfilling its COP26 pledge: Can India become carbon-neutral by 2070?

Becoming carbon-neutral by 2070 will not only help the world but will also make India a new industrial power, writes Anil K. Rajvanshi for South Aisa Monitor

Pakistan's PM: Mixed messaging and a prisoner of political compulsions

As Islamabad embraces hardline Islamists, life for minorities in Pakistan is becoming tough, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor

Mega infrastructure projects are set to transform Bangladesh's economy

From extending aid to Sri Lanka to building mega projects, Bangladesh is transforming its image to emerge as a South Asian miracle, writes Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor

Politically expedient histories: When fringe threatens to become mainstream in India

Kangana Ranaut is just one offshoot of an ecology where fact and truth have been systematically torn away from the national discourse to be replaced by ideologically tailored half-truths and lies, writes Mayank Chhaya for South Asia Monitor

Pakistani film attempts cinematic catharsis: Will it impress Bangladesh?

A Pakistani film looks at the 1971 war anew and wants Islamabad and Dhaka to bond, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor 

Dolls as conduits of cultural expression: India’s autumn festivals and their enchanting celebration through dolls

In India, festivals have an interesting blend of representation through dolls, especially during the agricultural season of autumn, writes Dr. Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai for South Asia Monitor