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Progress through pragmatism in the Indo-Bangla relationship0
- Commentary, Issues
- June 3, 2015
The relationship between India and Bangladesh has long been characterised by contradiction and cooperation. Relations have tended to fluctuate depending on the attitude of the governments in the respective countries. For example, when Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was in power in 2001-2006 the Indian side alleged that Bangladesh was harboring anti-Indian elements seen to pose
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World’s strangest border between India-Bangla is a result of a chess game?0
- Commentary
- May 26, 2015
Parliament on Wednesday passed the historic Constitution (119th Amendment) bill, which will put in effect a four- decade-old agreement between India and Bangladesh to redraw their shared border. Some people have claimed that the bill will resolve a border dispute between the two countries. This is not so. Unlike its relations with China or Pakistan,
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Bangladesh: Mayoral Elections unable to resolve Political Deadlock0
- Commentary
- May 4, 2015
Confrontational politics is not new in Bangladesh. But it seems to have intensified in the last few months, especially after the unofficial main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), decided to launch protests on the first anniversary of the 2014 parliamentary elections in order to force the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government to step down.
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India’s Influence in Asia0
- Commentary
- April 28, 2015
China’s gradual political, economic and military rise continues to be a primary focus among many decision making bodies throughout Asia and beyond, but often lost in the discussion is India, its strategic objectives, and its political influence in Asia and the world. As India continues to gain its footing on the global stage, it continues
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Should Pakistan be granted an NSG Exemption?0
- Commentary, Issues
- April 27, 2015
For some time now Pakistan has been arguing for an exemption from the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). At the Hague Nuclear Security Summit in 2014, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appealed to the international support to have access to civilian nuclear technology. Pakistan contends that it must be accorded similar rights to engage in
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Chinese and Indian Investment in South and Central Asia is Good for Washington0
- Commentary
- April 24, 2015
The United States is increasingly on the outside looking in as China — and India — invest across South and Central Asia. And that’s a good thing for Washington. On April 20, Chinese President Xi Jinping received a hero’s welcome in Islamabad. It’s easy to understand why. He was in town to announce a bonanza
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Pascal’s wager in real time0
- Commentary
- April 12, 2015
The gamble in the Middle East and the gamble in Bangladesh Readers will understand that I am exercising heroic self-restraint by limiting my remarks on the recently-completed Nuclear Framework Agreement to two paragraphs. It is, to quote London’s Financial Times (FT) a “singular” achievement, and in my view another possible inflection point in the modern
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What Iran Nuclear Deal Means for India1
- Commentary
- April 7, 2015
Lausanne witnessed a historic moment on April 2, when Iran and the P5 + 1 (United States, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany) announced the interim agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme. The agreement is currently in progress and the final deal is scheduled to be signed on June 30 (fingers crossed). If the agreement
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Delicate Modernization in the Last Shangri-La0
- Commentary
- April 6, 2015
Bhutan is widely romanticized as the last Shangri-La meaning the “hidden paradise”. It would not be an exaggeration to state that this Shangri-la is a country known for its traditions, culture and identity. The importance of its traditions can be felt from the words of Harald Nestroy that the “early history of Bhutan is not
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Playing with Peace in Myanmar0
- Commentary
- April 2, 2015
International aid and “statebuilding” exercises risk exacerbating ethnic conflicts in Myanmar. Here’s a more realistic approach. As ceasefires in Myanmar enter their third fragile year, international aid commitments geared towards “peacebuilding” have proliferated, particularly from the West and Japan. Although aid remains one of the few tools available to these governments, and there are countless
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Geo-economic Significance of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank0
- Commentary
- April 2, 2015
Since the dawn of civilization, except for the last 250 years, Asia had half the world’s wealth and two centres of gravity – China and India. With Asia estimated to possess two-thirds of global GPD in 2050, because of favourable demographics India has the potential to overtake the United States and once again become the
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Pakistan’s Promises Will Remain Unfulfilled0
- Commentary
- March 28, 2015
Pakistan remains unwilling to change the substance of its policy on terrorism even as it tries to reassure the international community that it is ready for a drastic transformation. Several recent developments affirm the Pakistani military’s belief that cosmetic changes or words alone will suffice to convince others, especially the U.S., that Pakistan is serious
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Three Ways on How ISIS Can Make Inroads in South Asia0
- Commentary, Issues
- February 28, 2015
Recent weeks have brought a bevy of news headlines attesting to the rising profile of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in South Asia. The group’s literature has circulated in Pakistan, and its flags have been spotted in Kashmir. Several Pakistani militant commanders expressed their allegiance to ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Alleged
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Flashpoints from Indo-US Nuclear Deal for Business0
- Commentary, Issues
- February 3, 2015
The India-U.S. nuclear agreement represents a $17 billion opportunity for Indian business. It will also help India secure fuel for its indigenous reactors, and contribute to cheap and plentiful energy. But a major concern remains—will these projects be efficiently executed? With the U.S.-India nuclear agreement clearing two major hurdles on 25 January—civil nuclear liability and
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