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Lessons of COVID-19 for US and India: Need to invest in global public health, promote democratic norms

Both the US and India are remarkable democratic experiments and their ability to champion democratic norms and freedoms - rather than weaken them - will prove critical to global peace and prosperity in the years ahead, write Sohini Chatterjee & Swadesh Chatterjee for South Asia Monitor

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Will one see a paradigm shift in education? Virtual classrooms the new norm

With such positive initiatives towards a totally technology-driven and -leveraged communication culture, the day seems to be not very far when one will see a paradigm shift in education - from a brick-and-mortar education to a click-and-portal one, writes Ashim Kumar Goswami for South Asia Monitor

Why has Pakistan deployed LY-80 missiles near the India border?

Pakistan wants to fulfill several objects by placing LY-80 missiles near Indian borders, writes Jai Kumar Verma for South Asia Monitor

As China faces world's ire, time for India to rise

As many nations relocate their industries to newer locations, India should play its cards well and, with alacrity,  could be one of the preferred destinations for replacing China, writes Lt Gen Kamal Davar(retd)  for South Asia Monitor

South Asian nations should enhance public spending on health, scientific research

There is a need to invest in scientific research in the South Asian region so that disease control measures could be taken in the right earnest, writes Shubham Singh for South Asia Monitor

COVID-19 and the growing vulnerability of overseas Bangladeshis

Due to COVID-19, Bangladeshi  workers abroad are caught jobless, quarantined in shabby living places, mentally disturbed because of their family crisis of getting no money, fear of being affected by the coronavirus aftermath and uncertainties of being back in Bangladesh, write Dr. Mohammad Rezaul Karim and Dr. Mohammad Tarikul Islam for South Asia Monitor

Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Council, once hailed, leading to power tussles

Some of the decisions by the CC have resulted in a major tussle between the Council and the Executive in Sri Lanka, writes Sugeeswara Senadhira for South Asia Monitor

Future of work: Need to address widening mismatch between skill, academic training and employment

Devising a strategy to help close the digital skills gap should be a key focus for all businesses during the next decade and beyond, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor

A conflict-ridden AfPak region where fighting COVID-19 is not a priority

A common thread that runs through them is of COVID-19 taking the back seat in the plans and actions of various stakeholders in the  AfPak region working at cross-purposes, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor

On Ramzan eve, India seeks to allay Gulf concerns over Islamophobia

There is growing realization within the government and diplomatic community that India stands to lose a great deal in allowing Islamophobia to spread within India and among Indians abroad and some nimble diplomacy is required to change perceptions, writes Nilova Roy Chaudhury for South Asia Monitor

Can India's pharma soft power work in South Asia?

Indian pharma’s soft power has, no doubt, opened up possibilities for foreign policy in the neighbourhood, writes N Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor

India, France, China should WAVE to fight future viruses

The terrific trio of Modi, Macron and XI should meet over videoconference and announce WAVE. They have the capability and potential to make history, writes Rajendra Shende for South Asia Monitor

South Asia needs to pay more attention to public health; SAARC needs to pool health resources

What really jumps up from the plethora of information floating around is the lack of preparedness and lack of governmental attention to health care, especially in the overcrowded South Asian region, writes Sreeradha Datta for South Asia Monitor

Muslims in India: A minister indulges in smoke and mirrors

Irrespective of whether they succeed in convincing the foreigners, the reactions in India to the minister’s assertion will range from amusement to derision, writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor

Policy priorities: rice for ethanol or hungry stomachs?

This abundant food-in-the-granary exigency will unfold even as a large number of Indians are grappling with hunger pangs and are  stuck in varying degrees of deprivation, writes C Uday Bhaskar for South Asia Monitor

A questionable agreement: Has Khalilzad betrayed Afghan people by caving into Taliban pressure?

The wider consequences of the agreement between the US and Taliban remain ambiguous, writes Iqbal Dawari for South Asia Monitor