China in our neighbourhood NAAD Jun 2021 In the third week of May, the Sri Lankan parliament passed a law termed as the ‘Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill’ that converted 660 acres of reclaimed land on Colombo’s waterfront into Chinese territory. China had already taken over the Hambantota port, the construction of which was approved, by the current regime […]
What US withdrawal means for the region Bharat Shakti 08 May 2021 The US withdrawal, as announced by President Joe Biden, commenced on 01 May. The US will complete it by 11 Sept this year. It is currently handing over its bases and responsibility to the Afghan National Army. Simultaneously, the Taliban have launched their summer offensive. This is […]
The future of Afghanistan The Statesman 04 May 2021 A report stated that talks, sponsored by Turkey, the UN and US, aimed at reaching a power sharing agreement in Afghanistan, scheduled to be held last month in Istanbul, has been pushed to May, as the Taliban indicated their unwillingness to attend. There is a likelihood that these may not […]
Support for Taliban must cease for Afghan peace The Statesman 06 Apr 2021 Afghanistan, as a nation, has only witnessed wars and bloodshed for the past four decades. Its turmoil began with the Soviet invasion in Dec 1979 and continues to date. The US entered after the 9/11 attack. After two decades, the US is now firming its plans […]
India’s aggressive stance The Excelsior 04 Apr 2021 Indian response to Pak’s terrorist strikes had always been meek. The nation was used to hearing the words, ‘Kadi Ninda (strong criticism)’, as the standard response by Indian politicians post any terrorist incident. Indians were equally sick of hearing national leaders complain to the world on Pak’s terrorist strikes, while taking […]
Drawing lessons from the ugliness of the past The Statesman 23 Mar 2021 The golden jubilee of the 1971 war has begun. The Swarmin Vijay Mashaal marking the start of celebrations of the 1971 war is currently moving across the country, reminding the nation of the astounding victory, achieved by the Indian armed forces. The PM gifted memorabilia to […]
A complicated Pak-Afghan scenario Bharat Shakti 03 Mar 2021 The US National Security Advisor, Jack Sullivan, spoke to his Afghan counterpart, Hamdullah Mohib, and stated that the US would support the peace process in an effort to achieve ‘a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire.’ He also added that the US will review the peace deal reached with […]
South Asia has always faced a power struggle of influence between India and China. China, in its bid to consolidate its string of pearls, has sought to win over India’s neighbourhood through multiple means. It interfered directly in internal affairs of Nepal after investing in the country through the China-Nepal economic corridor (Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network), claimed Bhutanese territory, provided […]
Chinese interference in South Asia The Excelsior 08 Jan 2021 Recent reports indicate that Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) has busted a 10-member Chinese module operating a terror cell in Kabul. Since the incident came to light, China had been pressing the Afghan government to hush up the case and prevent it from causing global embarrassment. These individuals […]
The Israel factor in South Asia Bharat Shakti 22 Dec 2020 On multiple occasions, PM Imran Khan has stated that he is under pressure to recognize Israel, though he has never mentioned the origin of pressures, with everyone assuming it being his erstwhile Middle East benefactors, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. However, it could also include the US, as […]