Covering Policy Issues from South Asia
Blog
India’s new Shia party seen as Hindu divisive effort0
- Blog
- May 28, 2018
Firebrand politician Rizvi accused of being a divisive figure splitting the Muslim vote Indian Muslims waving Indian flags participate in a flag-hoisting event as they celebrate India’s 69th Republic Day in Ahmedabad on Jan. 26. (Photo by Sam Panthaky/AFP) Umar Manzoor Shah, New Delhi India May 25, 2018 The leader of a new political party
Fears of religious rioting haunt poll-bound India0
- Blog
- May 28, 2018
Politicians accused of stirring communal strife for their own ends after two die in Hindu-Muslim riot in Aurangabad Supporters cheer as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers a speech in October 2015 during an election rally in Aurangabad, where two people died in a recent Hindu-Muslim riot. (Photo by Money Sharma/AFP) Umar Manzoor Shah, New
Rohingya Militants Killed Nearly 100 Hindus In Myanmar’s Rakhine State: Report0
- Blog
- May 25, 2018
May 24, 2018 BenarNews Rohingya Muslim militants unlawfully killed nearly 100 Hindus in Myanmar’s Rakhine state during deadly attacks on police outposts last year that resulted in a violent crackdown and an exodus of refugees into Bangladesh, Amnesty International says in a new report. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) carried out brutal attacks on
Kashmir: Islamic Groups Reject India’s Ceasefire0
- Blog
- May 25, 2018
May 24, 2018 UCAN By UCAN By Umar Manzoor Shah Islamic militants and separatist groups working to free the Kashmir region from India have turned down a federal offer of a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The United Jihad Council (UJC), an amalgam of militant groups leading an armed struggle against India’s military, on
Is Pakistan Army Chief’s Offer For Talks Serious?0
- Blog
- May 25, 2018
May 24, 2018 Observer Research Foundation By Harsh Kakkar Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, had recently stated, during the passing out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy, that “it is our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Indo-Pak disputes, including the core issues of Kashmir, can be found through
Bangladesh’s Escalated Anti-Drug Campaign Draws Fire from Rights Activists, Opposition0
- Blog
- May 24, 2018
Kamran Reza Chowdhury Dhaka 2018-05-23 Police in Barisal, Bangladesh, present suspected drug dealers who were arrested as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown against illegal drugs, May 23, 2018. BenarNews Bangladeshi rights activists and opposition politicians are criticizing as heavy handed this month’s intensified nationwide anti-drug crackdown in which, police agencies say, officers gunned down
Commentary
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
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
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
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
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
Bangladesh: Comprehensive Response Required to Complex Displacement Crisis0
- Commentary, Issues
- January 27, 2015
Executive summary During the 20th century, millions of people were forced to flee their homes in what is now Bangladesh. They were displaced both within the territory and to neighbouring areas by different triggers. As of January 2015, IDMC estimates that at least 431,000 people were displaced in the country as a result of conflict
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Featured
Bangladesh; DEMOCRACY IN PERIL
by F R Chowdhury 20 March 2019 I was very upset with news from Bangladesh. For last few months we often come across news that someone somewhere in Bangladesh is arrested or jailed for passing unacceptable remark against the prime minister or for making any sort of cartoon of the prime minister. I am grateful
‘Pulwama’, ‘Balakot’, Modi, Imran Khan, Wing Commander Avinandan, War Cry, Peace Appeal etc. etc: What do we make of all these?
2 March 2019 M. Adil Khan[1] Whole thing started with Pulwama in Kashmir in Indian Kashmir where a suicide bomber attacked an Indian army convoy and killed 40 soldiers. The incident has happened in the wake of upcoming general election in India which also coincides with Modi’s plummeting popularity that have made some people looking