MonitorsPublished on Jul 13, 2016
South Asia Weekly Report | Volume IX; Issue 28

ANALYSES

Bangladesh: Terror strikes capital

By Joyeeta Bhattacharjee

The terror attack in capital Dhaka on July 1 attracted global attention toward militancy in Bangladesh. That day, a group of armed militants stormed into an upscale eating joint in the capital’s posh neighbourhood of Gulshan, the area that houses many embassies, and took around 30 persons hostage. The situation that followed was the most violent and bloodiest incident of terror Bangladesh has ever witnessed. The militants killed 22 persons, of whom 17 were foreigners, three Bangladeshis and two security personnel. The militants held seize on the place for more than 12 hours. Specially trained army commandos had to be brought in, to rescue the hostages and only 13 could be saved.

Initially, international organisation Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack. The government, however, expressed reservations about its authenticity and claimed that the attackers were part of an indigenous group. The initial investigation has suggested that home-grown group Jamaatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh (JMB) was behind the terror.

Involvement of JMB in the attack puts into question the present counter- terrorism efforts of the government. The Government follows a zero-tolerance policy to terrorism and undertakes regular drives against terrorism. Following the counterterrorism effort by the Government, the JMB, notorious for the country-wide bomb-blast in August 2005, was thought to have been near-neutralised by the security forces. There was hardly any news of terrorist incident in the country from 2009 to 2011. Bangladesh was regarded as a model for counterterrorism. The present incident thus suggests resurgence of the militancy in the country.

Affluent families

Another important aspect that calls for sincere thought is the profile of the terrorists. They all came from affluent families and had liberal education — opposite to the popular perception of madrasas being the cradle for terror. This new trend makes one wonder about the motivation for youth joining these groups.  Today, the standard practises of counterterrorism are put to test. There is a need to consider new methods to tackle the problem.

Need for reinventing counterterrorism measures are important for Bangladesh since it has a significant youth population. It is important to understand what motivates youth to join such groups, more so in Bangladesh, which has the potential of becoming a major economic power house in days to come. It has an economy that has maintained more than six percent growth for years when the economy was slowing down globally. The country is celebrated for its success in human development. All these positives were attained because of the uniqueness of a liberal credential for a Muslim majority country.

Global phenomenon

Radicalisation and militancy has been a global phenomenon and many countries are struggling with it. The problem has intensified with the advent of the social media. Many youth are being radicalised globally through the social media.

Bangladesh is not the only one. Still, it is not an excuse but demands action. The Dhaka attack was not a case in isolation. Instead, the reason for being worried is due to the series of militant activities that preceded the incidents giving early signals.  Since 2013 there have been regular attacks on secular bloggers, liberal thinkers, cultural activists, minority communities.

The expectation is that Government will consider the changing trends in terrorism and design strategy conducive with the time. It also needs support of the international community as it in this age of globalisation terrorism cannot be handled by one.

The author is Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.

Bhutan: Parliamentary setback to international treaties

2 Photo: Sreeram Narayan/CC BY 2.0

By Mihir Bhonsale

International agreement-making is a serious business, is the message the government in Bhutan got loud and clear from the Parliament, after the latter deferred the accession of the European Investment Bank Framework Agreement (EIBFA) for the second time on July 2.

Earlier, the National Assembly (NA) passed the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN-MVA) on June 22 amidst astute opposition. Transport operators have pleaded with the National Council (NC) for reviewing the assent.

Foreign relations and foreign policy-making have always been a sensitive issue in the Himalayan nation, and it has been demonstrated time and again since the country embraced democracy. The predecessor government had faced the scorn over neighbouring India’s withdrawal of LPG subsidy against the supposed pro-China posturing of the government.

A country that holds dearly the Tsa-Wa-Sum policy, translated as king, country and people, has been experiencing the pangs of democracy. As Bhutan enjoys the fruits of economic development by opening of her borders for foreign investment, it is but natural, that there is a concern that values of sovereignty and culture are being compromised.

Concerns over sovereignty

Undermining the country’s cultural, economic and political sovereignty has remained a contentious issue behind the two international agreements, the EIBFA and the BBIN-MVA.

The framework agreement with the EIBFA has been signed in 2014 by the government and was also acceded by the lower-house of the parliament but, was deferred by the upper-house of parliament, the National Council in the 6th session of the parliament last year.

The joint sitting of Parliament on July 2 deferred the deliberations on the EIBFA through majority votes as proposed by the joint committee appointed to review the agreement by the National Council.

Earlier, the Council had pointed out that the agreement is an affront to Bhutan’s sovereignty as the agreement openly undermines national laws, regulations, policies and guidelines. Further, the NC resolution states that it undermines the supremacy of the courts of Bhutan, including the Supreme Court, by subjecting such agreements to the decisions of the European Court of Justice. The Council has held the framework agreement with the European Investment Bank, as not being in consonance with the country’s external commercial borrowing guidelines and could undermine the country’s sovereignty.

The agreement states that EIBFA will enjoy full legal personality in the country, including in particular the capacity to contract, to acquire and dispose of movable property and to be party to legal proceedings. The subregional connectivity plan of the BBIN-MVA got a boost after the lower house of the parliament acceded to the agreement, while the opposition benches expressed reservations. But, transport operators have moved a petition to the National Council for reviewing the accession.

Important bills

Foreign Minister Damcho Dorji told Parliament that the EIBFA framework agreement would help secure the future interests of Bhutan. The minister said the government cannot solely rely on countries and donor agencies, which is why the tie-up with EIBFA was important. Dorji also argued that since Bhutan was no longer considered a Least Developed Country (LDC), many donor-countries and agencies were withdrawing fringe Bhutan.

Emphasising its importance, Dorji said that the EIBFA was deliberated well in the assembly and endorsed with support from members after which it was submitted to the Council. He however agreed to review the agreement in the light of the council’s recommendations.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay conceded to the National Assembly on June 22 that Bhutan’s existing treaties with Nepal and Bangladesh will remain even after the BBIN-MVA comes into effect. He assured parliament that the government will ensure that the protocols of the agreement that would be finalised later this year will take into consideration the interests of local stakeholders and would not in no way compromise on security and sovereignty of the country. The BBIN-MVA, the government argued would attract newer markets for Bhutanese goods.

Way ahead

Adoption of the Rules of Procedure (RoP) for Treaty Making 2016 by the Cabinet in February this year was expected to streamline the process of treaty-making and ratification parliament. The procedure came ahead of the summer Parliament session that begun on May 24, where the controversial international agreements like the BBIN-MVA and the European Investment Bank Framework Agreement (EIBFA) was to be redeliberated.

Also, in the July 2 session of the joint sitting of the two houses of the parliament while deliberating on the EIBFA found that disagreements between the National Council and National Assembly over international agreements have not been covered under the Legislative Rules of Procedure (LROP), 2011. A committee formed to review the EIBFA, asked the government to develop guiding principles and protocol in matters concerning international conventions, covenants, treaties, protocols and agreements.

The two houses are to discuss and incorporate measures to address such disagreements between the two houses in the amended LROP, 2016. Parliament is one of the major institutional pillars of a democracy and verdicts against the government are to be addressed through strengthening institutional mechanisms and through public discourse.

The government has to demonstrate that values of democracy are not in conflict with the traditional values of Bhutan, instead they complement each other.

The author is Junior Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata.

COUNTRY REPORTS

Afghanistan

End violence, Taliban warned

During a special Eid ceremony, Ashraf Ghani said that the Taliban did not have the ability to achieve victory and urged the group to stop its violence. Praising the Afghan security forces in their fight against militants, Ghani said that the people of Afghanistan would be victorious and that the Taliban could not stop them at any cost. Ghani added that “they (the Taliban) would not be victorious. We will be winners, because we want to secure the future of the people”

For more information, see: President Ghani calls on Taliban to join peace

NSA vows to retaliate

Hanif Atmar, National Security Advisor, vowed to avenge the deaths of more than 30 police cadets after the Taliban attack on their convoy on June 30. Atmar said that the country would not allow such brutal killings and will bring war to each one of those traitors. He questioned why the police cadets were moving together to Kabul, after mass transit of security forces was banned when security was not accurate.

For more information, see: Hanif Atmar vows revenge after attack on police cadets

US to retain 8400 troops

US President Barack Obama announced on July 6 that he plans to keep 8400 troops in Afghanistan until the end of his term. Earlier Obama had hoped to reduce the number of troops to 5500 until 2017, however the Taliban’s resurgence and loss of territory, led him to adjust his plans. The security situation in Afghanistan remains precarious,” said Obama, “even as they improve, Afghan security forces are still not as strong as they need to be.” It will now be up to the new US president to order any further reductions in troop-levels. President Ghani welcomed Obama’s troop level decision.

For more information, see: Obama says he will keep more troops in Afghanistan than planned

Warsaw Summit

President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah left for Poland to attend the NATO heads of state summit in Warsaw on July 7. The Summit will discuss Afghanistan and NATO’s financial aid and troop commitment to the country beyond 2016. For Afghanistan, the summit is a crucial means by which Kabul secures funding for its military, air force and other development projects.

For more information, see: Afghan leaders off to Poland for Warsaw Summit

Bangladesh

The Dhaka seize

The week saw one of the bloodiest incidents of terror in the country.  A group of gunmen held hostage dozens of people inside a popular hangout for foreigners in the capital's diplomatic zone of Gulshan, and killed 20 people.

For more information, see: A timeline of the weekend hostage crisis in Bangladesh; After Slaughter, Bangladesh Reels at Revelations About Attackers

Japan to continue support

Japan will continue to support to Bangladesh's development.  The statement followed after 8 of its nationals were killed in the terror attack of July 1. Japanese nationals were in Bangladesh as cconsultants with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a infrastructure development project.

 For more information, see: JICA's support to Bangladesh to continue

Bhutan

Parliament defers ratification

The joint sitting of Parliament yesterday deferred the deliberations on the framework agreement between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Bhutan through majority votes as proposed by the joint committee.

For more information, see: Ratification of EIB deferred

King addresses parliament

The King Jigme Keshar Namgyal Wangchuck addressed the closing of the seventh session of the second parliament on July 8.

For more information, see: Prime Minister condemns Dhaka terror attack

PM condemns Dhaka attack

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay condemned the July 1 terror attacks in Dhaka, Bangladesh when he called on the President of Bangladesh Abdul Rahim at the Taj Tashi hotel in Thimphu on July 2.

For more information, see: His Majesty’s address

India

SC against ‘excessive force’

Serving a blow to immunity enjoyed by armed forces under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) against criminal action for acts committed in disturbed areas, the Supreme Court held that armed forces personnel and police cannot use “excessive or retaliatory force” in disturbed areas.

For more information, see: Security forces cannot use excessive force in AFSPA areas: Supreme Court

Zakir Naik under probe            

Rajnath Singh said that speeches of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik were being examined by the government and appropriate action will be taken. Mr. Naik is under the scanner following revelations that two of the five young militants who massacred 20 hostages, including an Indian, drew their inspiration from his speeches.

For more information, see: Govt examining Zakir Naik’s speeches: Rajnath Singh

Four more P-8I for Navy

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the purchase of four additional Boeing P-8I Neptune aircraft at a cost of $1 billion (₹6,700 crore), for induction into the Navy over the next three years. The P-8I were chosen for their endurance and state of the art anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability. They have a ferry range of about 2000 km from their base, where they can patrol the seas for four hours, detecting and engaging enemy submarines before flying back to base.

For more information, see: Indian Navy orders four additional P-8I aircraft

Panel to study strategic partner

Amid growing concerns among private defence manufacturers regarding the number of government contracts, defence ministry has formed an internal committee to finalise the strategic partnership model. The committee, headed by director general (acquisition) in the defence ministry, has been asked to submit its report by July 31. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for Friday.

For more information, see: Defence manufacturing: Another panel to finalise strategic partner model

High growth

India Inc is expected to see a two-year high growth rate of eight percent in revenue during this financial year’s first quarter ended June 30, mainly driven by export-oriented units like IT sector. This means domestic companies are growing way faster than peers in China, South Korea, and Taiwan.

For more information, see: India Inc's Q1 revenue growth to hit a 2-yr high

Maldives 

Dunya quits, Faaris ‘sacked’

Taking the political crisis clouding the nation into President Abdulla Yameen’s backyard, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon quit the Government of her father Maumoon Gayoon’s half-brother, citing opposition to ‘death penalty’ as the reason. The resignation came after the Yameen camp ‘sacked’ Faaris from the Gayoom-led ruling PPM, after the latter voted against the tourism amendment bill, as directed by party boss and father.

For more information, see: “Maldives foreign minister resigns citing opposition to death penalty”, Maldives Independent, 5 July 2016; “PPM expels Gayoom’s son”, Maldives Independent, 5 July 2016; “Faaris to be dismissed after Committee meeting without Maumoon’s permission”, SunOnline, 5 July 2016; “Maumoon summoned to ACC for questioning in corruption during his presidency”, SunOnline,  5 July 2016;  “MPs launch lawsuit to wrest control of PPM from Gayoom”, Maldives Independent, 5 July 2016; “Qasim invited to join United Opposition by Adhaalath”, SunOnline, 5 July 2016; “PPM split a ‘big gift’ to opposition, says Yameen – transcript of speech”, Maldives Independent, 5 July 2016; “President Yameen: Even with international challenges, will implement death sentence”, SunOnline, 5 July 2016; “PPM to hold party congress to decide on presidential primary”, Maldives Independent, 4 July 2016; “Maumoon: Penalizing Faris is unjust, his decision was justified”, SunOnline, 4 July 2016; “PPM members express concern over infighting in last weeks of Ramadan”, Miadhu, 4 July 2016; “MDP Council holds secret meeting regarding political situation in country”, SunOnline, 3 July 2016

IS threat ‘strongest’

Threat of IS terror in the region is strongest from Maldives, Indian intelligence agencies have reportedly concluded. The report puts the number of IS sympathisers in the country at around 500 apart from those that have already joined the terror-outfit in Syria.

For more information, see: India: IS threat in region strongest from Maldives

Myanmar 

Government completes 100 days

Myanmar’s new government is getting mixed reviews in the local and international press as it passes its 100th day in office.

For more information, see: Suu Kyi’s government gets mixed marks on 100 days in office

Mob vents fury

The Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, commonly known by its Myanmarese acronym Ma-Ba-Tha, called an emergency meeting on July 7 as it issued a demand to ruling party leader Aung San Suu Kyi to take action against the Chief Minister of Rangoon for comments he made about the Buddhist nationalist group.

For more information, see: Monks vent fury after minister’s ‘We don’t need Ma-Ba-Tha’ comment; NLD Will Not Take Ma Ba Tha Demands Seriously

Army and KLA clash

A skirmish between the army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has been reported near a bridge on the Hpakant-Mogaung road on July 6. The clash lasted a few minutes and no casualties were reported, said Lamai Khun Jar from the Peace Creation Group (PCG).

For more information see: Army and KLA clash in Hpakant

Nepal

Border outpost to open

The government has taken initiatives to open the much-hyped Korala border point in Mustang district. The authorities started preparations to upgrade the Pokhara-Korala road and set up a Nepal Army (NA) barracks as well as a border outpost in Korala area.  The Korala border point will be opened permanently like Kerung and Tatopani points, the DPMs told a press meet in Jomsom.

For more information, see: Korala border to open within a year

Pancheshwar DPR to be finalised

Preparations have been made to give final shape to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project until October. Gurung stated that the joint meeting prepared the basis also for the benefits and the loss that Nepal and India would get from the project, the use of technology, inundation, rehabilitation and the additional topics that have to be incorporated.

For more information, see: Preparations underway to give final shape to Pancheshwar DPR by October; Preparations on to finalize Pancheshwar DPR by October; PDA urges Nepal, India to give feedback on Pancheshwar DPR

Floods cause evacuation

As many as 100 families of the Tatopani area, a major transit point between Nepal and China, have fled their settlements in search of safer locations after the Bhotekoshi River swollen by incessant rainfall caused massive land erosion. According to police, people living near the banks of Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi rivers are at high risk.

For more information, see: Swollen Bhotekoshi forces 100 families to flee; Floods in Bhotekoshi wreak havoc; Hundreds evacuated after flash floods in Nepal

Pakistan

Flash floods kill 45

Flash floods have killed over 45 people in Pakistan after heavy rain stroke the border areas of the country. Many houses and mosques faced extensive damage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which received most of the rainfall. Over 16 died while offering prayers at the mosque and another 8 of the dead were soldiers. While the army has been undertaking rescue operations in the affected areas, bad weather has hampered the relief missions with authorities calling for helicopters to join in the effort.

For more information, see: Flash floods in Pakistan kill over 40 people

Security tie-up with Saudis

Pakistan renewed its security pledge with Saudi Arabia, following a string of bomb blasts by extremists including one outside Masjid-i-Nabwi, the second holiest site in Islam. The government “reiterates its abiding commitment to the safety, security and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” the Foreign Office said in a statement on terrorist attacks in Madina, Qatif and Jeddah on July 4.

For more information, see: Pakistan renews security pledge to Saudi Arabia

Solar panels from Canada

The Government of Canada has signed an agreement with Balochistan to set up solar plants of 1000 MW in parts of the province. Canadian experts will visit Quetta to finalise plans for establishing 50 MW plant in different areas of the province to meet their energy needs. Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri, while directing the authorities concerned for proper planning, had also asked the Balochistan Investment Board to play its due role for bringing in more investment to the province.

For more information, see: Canada to set up solar plants in Balochistan

PM to return to Pakistan soon

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to run to Pakistan on 9 July after having undergone heart surgery last month in London. A dedicated Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft has been deputed to transport Sharif and his camp back to the country. According to PIA statement, “Due to the premier’s health issues, PM Office had partly been shifted to London, where a camp office had been set up. Now that the prime minister has recovered after his surgery and is allowed to travel, the whole Camp Office has to be shifted back to Pakistan.”

For more information, see: Special PIA aircraft to bring PM, camp office back to Pakistan

Sri Lanka 

No foreign judges: MS

As if to deny Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s claims that his were only an opinion, President Maithiripala Sirisena has re-asserted his known position against involving ‘foreign judges’ in war-time accountability probes. The Joint Opposition (JO) has criticised Minister Samaraweera for violating the collective responsibility of the Cabinet in the matter and also challenging the President in public — even while forming a ‘shadow cabinet’ with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as ‘shadow prime minister’.

For more information, see: “Will not allow foreign judges or courts to interfere: President”, Daily Mirror Online, 8 July 2016; “Involvement of Foreign Judges: President has expressed an opinion: Mangala”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 July 2016; “Mangala violated collective Cabinet responsibility: JO”, Daily Mirror Online, 8 July 2016; “Dinesh tells Mangala to resign for violating collective responsibility”, The Island, 8 July 2016; “Issue of foreign judges: SC moved”, The Island, 9 July 2016; “GL alleges Geneva intervention aims to promote separatism”, The Island, 5 July 2016;  “New constitution may divide country: MR”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 July 2016; “LTTE translator acquitted”, The Island, 5 July 2016; “Hussein earns GTF praise for pushing for full implementation of Geneva Resolution: Int’l participation in war crimes probe”, The Island, 6 July 2016;  “JO appoints shadow cabinet”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 July 2016

New CB chief courts row

Taking over as the all-important Central Bank Governor from controversy-ridden incumbent Arjuna Mahendran, economist Indrajit Coomaraswamy too courted row, over his previous employment with American insider-trader, Raj Ranaratnam. In defence of the self against Opposition criticism, Coomaraswamy told the media that he had provided only professional services to Rajaratnam, and that also stopped a year ahead of his getting involved in insider-trading, for which he was arrested and jailed in the US, later.

For more information, see: “Only provided professional services to Rajaratnam: CB Governor”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 July 2016; “New CBSL chief admits providing services to Rajaratnam..."I quit year before he was first accused of insider trading’”, The Island, 6 July 2016; “Clear the air over Raj Rajaratnam: JO to CB”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 July 2016; “Gammanpila questions new CB Governor's integrity”, Daily Mirror Online, 5 July 2016; “New Governor calls for upholding CB’s credibility, economic stability”, The Island, 5 July 2016; “Speaker remains indecisive: Releasing report on bond scam”, The Island, 6 July 2016; “Bond scam: Socialist Alliance holds Ranil responsible for loss suffered”, The Island, 5 July 2016

PM blames Indian fishers

In a second parliamentary intervention over the issue over the past months, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that Indian fishermen were damaging Sri Lanka’s marine ecology through bottom-trawling, and commended TNA member, M. A. Sumanthiran’s private member’s bill in the matter. Days earlier, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi had said that the Government was considering the grant of ‘fishing licence’ for Indian fishers to operate in its waters.

For more information, see: “Indian fishermen causing damage to marine ecology: PM”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 July 2016; “Sri Lanka may grant fishing licence”, The Hindu, 6 July 2016; “India, SL discuss issues regarding railway network development”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 July 2016; “Govt. agrees to formulate national policy on trade agreements, says GMOA”, Daily Mirror Online, 9 July 2016; “Chinese FM arrives”, Daily Mirror Online, 8 July 2016

PRIMARY DOCUMENTATION

Bhutan

Press Releases

Annual Report on the state of the nation, Cabinet Secretariat, July 5, 2016

Bibliography

Afghanistan

Opinion Pieces

Jelena Bjelica, Martine van Bijlert, Sudhanshu Verma and Kate Clark, Afghanistan at the Warsaw Summit: Looking for sustained support, Afghanistan Analysts Network, July 6, 2016

Emile Simpson, Western adventures and misadventures in Afghanistan, The Washington Post, July 7, 2016

Pamela Constable, Keeping US troops in Afghanistan sends the right message, generals and diplomats say, The Washington Post, July 8, 2016

Bangladesh

Opinion pieces

Clifford D. May, The Battle of Bangladesh, The Washington Post, July 5, 2016

Shahedul Anam Khan, Bangladesh's 7/16, The Daily Star, July 3, 2016

Bhutan

Editorials

Taking education to the learners”, Kuensel, July 5, 2016

Preventing youth crime, Kuensel, July 4, 2016

India

Opinion Pieces

Raja Mohan, Raja-Mandala: Speak frankly with China, The Indian Express, July 5, 2016

Ramachandra Guha, A note for Mr Javadekar, Indian Express, July 8, 2016

Mihir Swarup Sharma, Modi's Cabinet Changes Give This Message - He's The (Sole) Boss, NDTV, July 6, 2016

Maldives

Opinion Pieces

N. Sathiya Moorthy, Power-struggle intensifies in ruling coalition, ORF, July 7, 2016

Salma Filkry, Forced migration round the corner, Maldives Independent, July 7, 2016

Lathifa Ferral, A tightening of the noose, Maldives Independent, July 7, 2016

Myanmar

Opinion Pieces

Nicholas Farrelly, Keeping friends close, Thailand closer, Myanmar Times, July 4, 2016

Social Welfare Minister discusses his work and outreach to youth, aged, Mizzima, July 5, 2016

Nepal

Opinion Pieces

Madhukar Sjb Rana, Let’s team upThe Kathmandu Post, July 8, 2016

Biswas Baral, Home truths, Republica, July 7, 2016

Editorials

A social scourge, The Kathmandu Post, July 8, 2016

'1000 wasted days’, Republica, July 7, 2016

Pakistan

Opinion Pieces

Zamir Akram, The NSG after Seoul, The Express Tribune, July 5, 2016

Khalid Saleem, The Boeing factor, The Express Tribune, July 3, 2016

Farhan Bokhari, Diplomatic pitfalls, Dawn, July 5, 2016

Nauman Sadiq, The Military-Industrial Complex of Pakistan, Counter Punch, July 7, 2016

Sri Lanka

Opinion Pieces

Kelum Bandara, President asserts his mutual understanding with PM, Daily Mirror Online, July 7, 2016

Dayan Jayatilleka, The Indrajit Coomaraswamy issue: A matter of decency, The Island, July 5, 2016

Ranga Jayasuriya, Yahapalayana and CB Governor, Daily Mirror Online, July 4, 2016

N. Sathiya Moorthy, Is ETCA with India the next casualty of power-duality, ORF, July 4, 2016

N. Sathiya Moorthy, From Geneva to nowhere?, The Sunday Leader, July 3, 2016

Contributors:

Afghanistan and Pakistan: Kriti M. Shah

Bangladesh: Joyeeta Bhattacharjee

Bhutan and Myanmar: Mihir Bhonsale

India: Shubh Soni and Pushan Das

Maldives and Sri Lanka: N. Sathiya Moorthy

Nepal: Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury and Sreeparna Banerjee

The views expressed above belong to the author(s). ORF research and analyses now available on Telegram! Click here to access our curated content — blogs, longforms and interviews.