As per reports, China is expected to take over controlling stakes in strategic areas, due to payment issues on projects it funded in Myanmar. China is demanding rights on the critical deep sea port of Kyauk Pyu in the Bay of Bengal, which will affect Indian interests. It will obtain control easily, as Myanmar is in no position to repay […]
Historically no nation can choose its neighbours. It is determined by geography. Geopolitics, on the other hand, determines relative importance of nations in the strategic sphere. No nation can prosper in isolation. It needs trade and development to prosper. For this, nations need to maintain cordial relations with neighbours. A nation at discord with all those in its proximity would […]
The Indian system of governance, in the manner it has evolved post-independence, is unique, especially as it concerns the functioning of the military. Fear and lack of trust on the military, compelled the government to relegate it to the level of attached offices, the only country to do so. It was post Kargil and the Kargil committee report, which blasted […]
India and Pakistan are both battling terror groups. There are however major differences at every stage. For India, Kashmir is the flash point, where groups operating are openly supported by the ISI and the Pak army (deep state). The rest of the country is fairly secure. Pakistan faces it across its length and breadth. Suicide and terror attacks have spared […]
Politicians and visual media houses have always been self-serving. Comments on Kashmir clearly follow party lines or media biases, while national interests, national security and national unity come last. After all, TRPs and votes count, national unity has little value. This has resulted in clear stands being adopted, anti or pro the government and since the army and other security […]
The recent by polls in Srinagar and resultant videos dominated news headlines for all the wrong reasons. Holding elections in a strife torn region was a wrong decision to start with. Even the state had protested to the Election Commission (EC). However, for the EC and the government, it was a tough choice. Delaying elections would give the opposition including […]
The recent split judgement of the Pakistan Supreme Court giving Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif breathing space by appointing a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), to investigate the Panama papers claims of financial irregularities by him and his family, has changed the strategic scenario in the country. The JIT comprises of members of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), […]
Two videos, amongst many other similar clips, went viral on social media recently. The first was the manhandling of a CRPF jawan and the second of a stone thrower, tied to an army vehicle. The reactions of the media and politicians depended on whether they were pro or anti- government. It has also resulted in twitter battles between supporters and […]
The launching of fifty-nine Tomahawk missiles against the Syrian regime by the US has again brought the region into focus. While the world deplores the use of chemical weapons, there is always a lingering doubt, on who is correct, the US, which blames Syria for the strike or the Russians, who claim it was done by the rebels to malign […]
South Asians being attacked or insulted in different parts of the globe, on racial grounds, is a daily occurrence. Recent reports include incidents in New Zealand, Australia and most commonly the US. The shooting of Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas recently, was a case of the shooter assuming he was targeting Iranians. Similarly, Sikhs have been mistaken for Moslems and targeted. […]