Search: For - Development

6804 results found

Addressing India's missing girls: Time to re-evaluate strategies
Jul 28, 2015

Addressing India's missing girls: Time to re-evaluate strategies

The government is approaching the issue of declining sex ratio with a new commitment. It should be tackled with nuanced policy interventions. Instead of introducing more schemes, the existing schemes could be made more accessible and the loopholes could be confronted.

Admiral Gorshkov to INS Vikramaditya
Nov 19, 2013

Admiral Gorshkov to INS Vikramaditya

While the state of defence cooperation between India and Russia could be described as "healthy and robust", there are some underwater reefs the two sides should carefully steer past.

Aero India 2011: Glimpses of State's changing mindset
Mar 11, 2011

Aero India 2011: Glimpses of State's changing mindset

Aero India 2011 raises a few issues for future debates. Should aerospace modernisation be a national priority as India enhances its hard power? An affirmative answer validates the significance of Aero India. But, such fundamental issues need to be debated beyond the confines of the government.

Affordable Airpower: Need for refining business processes
Oct 30, 2013

Affordable Airpower: Need for refining business processes

Pointing out that the problem for an upcoming Indian defence industry is in the basics, experts suggest that a refinement of processes in conducting business and procurement would go a long way.

Afghan President's Taliban predicament
Apr 20, 2015

Afghan President's Taliban predicament

More than six months into his tenure, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is possibly as far from achieving a breakthrough with the Taliban. There is no unanimity in the Taliban for peace talks. And Pakistan's failure to bring the Taliban to the table could possibly be a reflection of its limited influence over the group and a bigger obstacle to the talks may be the Taliban itself.

Afghan presidential elections: Implications and the road ahead
Apr 16, 2014

Afghan presidential elections: Implications and the road ahead

The voluminous participation by the Afghans in the elections, in which all major candidates asserted their desire to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement with the US, does not bode well for the Taliban, which describes signing of the BSA as "a huge crime".

Afghan situation likely to become complicated, says Chinese scholar
Apr 20, 2011

Afghan situation likely to become complicated, says Chinese scholar

Cautioning that the security situation in Afghanistan may become complicated in future, Chinese scholars said since both India and China have interests in that country, it could provide an opportunity for both to play a bigger role, setting aside the disagreements regarding Pakistan.

Afghanistan 2015: New Delhi's policy options
Dec 12, 2014

Afghanistan 2015: New Delhi's policy options

Delhi must not forget that the tyranny of geography limits India's role in Afghanistan. Delhi is in no position to compete with Rawalpindi in Afghanistan. Nor can it dream of replacing US military power across the Durand Line. For now, Delhi must welcome the current dialogue between Kabul and Rawalpindi.

Afghanistan and women's rights
Dec 19, 2013

Afghanistan and women's rights

Comparing Afghanistan and the rest of the world, Farkhunda Zarah Naderi, Member of the Afghan National Assembly, said that while the world is looking forward to achieve the status quo, Afghans are still fighting for their primary rights, be it women's, cultural or ethical.

Afghanistan Today & Tomorrow
Oct 11, 2010

Afghanistan Today & Tomorrow

Saeed Naqvi, Distinguished Fellow at ORF, recently journeyed across Afghanistan where he met scores of political leaders, Taleban, US officials, filmmakers, journalists, NGOs, religious leaders and ordinary Afghans. The result is an insightful document on Afghanistan at the crossroads. Do Americans have an Endgame planned? Or, more important, can a superpower in a theatre of strategic importance, have a linear exit plan when multiple strategic op

Afghanistan's tryst with reality
Dec 04, 2003

Afghanistan's tryst with reality

After months of painstaking deliberations, Afghanistan's draft Constitution was finally made public on November 3, 2003. However, the road to the final document would in all probability prove to be a daunting process as the formation of the draft was, and might end up being an inconclusive battle for supremacy between the liberals in charge of the country at present and the radicals who once called the shots.

Afghanistan's Uncertain Future
Mar 04, 2011

Afghanistan's Uncertain Future

Nearly ten years in Afghanistan and not a solution is sight makes for sad commentary for the ability of the US to solve its security problems or to force a solution on other regions. The year of reckoning may have been postponed from 2011 to 2014.

Afghanistan, the US and the Taliban
Apr 07, 2015

Afghanistan, the US and the Taliban

The change in leadership in Kabul has provided a new opportunity for the US and Afghanistan to work together. Media reports suggesting a larger role for the United States post-2014 than originally envisaged have been doing the rounds for the better part of the past six months.

Afghanistan-today and tomorrow
Sep 17, 2010

Afghanistan-today and tomorrow

The US is unlikely to withdraw from Afghanistan, and the unstated reason for its prolonged stay in the area is to ensure the stability of nuclear Pakistan.

Afghanistan: A 'regional strategy' for India
Mar 07, 2015

Afghanistan: A 'regional strategy' for India

The visit of Mr. S Jaishankar, India's Foreign Secretary, to Kabul this week came at the fag end of his trip to all the other South Asian neighbouring countries. During this brief visit, he met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and reaffirmed India's commitment to stay the course in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: A fragile arrangement
Oct 08, 2014

Afghanistan: A fragile arrangement

In Afghanistan, there are concerns among Abdullah Abdullah's supporters that he may be reduced to a mere figurehead or that Ashraf Ghani, as President, could still seek to extend his powers.

Afghanistan: A new phase in ties with Pakistan?
May 17, 2013

Afghanistan: A new phase in ties with Pakistan?

Nawaz Sharief's election for an unprecedented third time as Pakistan's prime minister has been welcomed by the Afghan government. Afghan President Hamid Karzai congratulating Sharief called upon the new Pakistani government to enhance cooperation in order to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: A story of US failure and mismanagement
Apr 25, 2014

Afghanistan: A story of US failure and mismanagement

As foreign troops begin to leave Afghanistan, criticism of the international coalition's handling of the war has been pouring in from all corners. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center for People and Press showed that a majority of the public does not think the US has achieved its goals in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Anxiety over possible economic collapse and Taliban take-over
May 25, 2013

Afghanistan: Anxiety over possible economic collapse and Taliban take-over

The security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating and there is an overall sense of anxiety about a possible economic collapse and a Taliban takeover. The role of Pakistan and China will add to India's challenging task to ensure stability in Afghanistan in the next few years.

Afghanistan: Can the private sector be a driver for growth?
Jun 27, 2014

Afghanistan: Can the private sector be a driver for growth?

The year 2014 is, in many ways, the year of reckoning for Afghanistan which is undergoing three simultaneous transitions - security, political and economic. Unlike the first two, the economic transition has not had the advantage of clear deadlines and roadmaps and has suffered from lack of long term planning.

Afghanistan: Challenges for the National Unity Govt
Aug 30, 2014

Afghanistan: Challenges for the National Unity Govt

Amidst claims by the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) that the auditing process is in its final stages, there was hope that the presidential elections will be concluded sooner rather than later.

Afghanistan: Gearing up for presidential polls
Oct 18, 2013

Afghanistan: Gearing up for presidential polls

The registration process for the Afghan presidential elections came to a close last week. As many as 27 candidates have filed nomination and the vetting process, by the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC),

Afghanistan: India-Pakistan rivalry reignited
Aug 19, 2013

Afghanistan: India-Pakistan rivalry reignited

The Indian Consulate in Jalalabad was the target of a suicide attack on August 3. The attack, though did not harm the consulate or any Indian personnel, resulted in the death of 9 bystanders.

Afghanistan: Insurgency on the rise amidst international troop-drawdown
Oct 31, 2014

Afghanistan: Insurgency on the rise amidst international troop-drawdown

New Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fulfilled his promise of signing the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the U.S. and Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the NATO within 24 hours of taking office.

Afghanistan: Iran, the Taliban and the US drawdown
May 08, 2015

Afghanistan: Iran, the Taliban and the US drawdown

Much has already been written about both the drawdown of US troops from the region, and the recent Iranian nuclear deal and the possible impact it could have on Iran-US relations.

Afghanistan: ISI crony on attack-mode as Taliban readies for political role
Sep 16, 2011

Afghanistan: ISI crony on attack-mode as Taliban readies for political role

A decade after the 'Twin Towers' came crashing down in New York, the US has given its blessings for the Taliban to open its political office in the distant West Asian State of Qatar.

Afghanistan: Karzai's regional initiative
Dec 20, 2013

Afghanistan: Karzai's regional initiative

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is desperately seeking external support in order to secure the nation's future. The impending December 2014 deadline for the drawdown of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the consequent reduction of western military and developmental

Afghanistan: Mullah Omar's death and the peace talks
Aug 11, 2015

Afghanistan: Mullah Omar's death and the peace talks

The confirmations about the death of Mullah Omar, who is said to have died in 2013, may not have taken many by surprise. His absence from the public domain for years led to various theories about his possible whereabouts.

Afghanistan: Neutrality dreams unrealistic
Jul 29, 2011

Afghanistan: Neutrality dreams unrealistic

Though there is a need for a neutral Afghanistan, the prevailing geopolitics of South Asia and the domestic politics of Afghanistan make the 'Congress of Vienna' model and a neutral Afghanistan too utopian a dream to be achieved anytime soon.

Afghanistan: No Sign of End to Instability
Jan 31, 2008

Afghanistan: No Sign of End to Instability

The situation in Afghanistan is grim. There is a tendency to confuse random acts of violence with the instability caused by the the Taliban or the neo-Taliban. An analysis of the violent incidents in Afghanistan in the past few years has revealed that more than two-thirds of the violence has been related to land, resources or power-politics, pointing towards unequal sharing of power at the sub-national level. A round-table discussion on Afghanis

Afghanistan: Pakistan obstructing peace talks?
Feb 21, 2014

Afghanistan: Pakistan obstructing peace talks?

The killing of a former Taliban minister, Mullah Abdul Raqeeb, has raised questions about the involvement of the Pakistan establishment in the peace process and a possible rift within the ranks of the militant movement.

Afghanistan: Peace talks with Taliban gain momentum
Jul 06, 2012

Afghanistan: Peace talks with Taliban gain momentum

For the first time, Taliban and Government representatives met publicly on June 27 in Japan, signalling another round of parleys between the belligerents to find a negotiated end to the insurgency.

Afghanistan: Prospects for increased engagement with China
Jul 10, 2015

Afghanistan: Prospects for increased engagement with China

As the US pulls out its troops from Afghanistan, all eyes are set on the potential role China can play in the region. China has shown signs of stepping up its engagement with Afghanistan since the formation of the new government in Kabul in September 2014.

Afghanistan: Qanooni's moment of triumph
Jan 21, 2006

Afghanistan: Qanooni's moment of triumph

The 13th century Italian theologian and philosopher, Saint Thomas Aquinas, said that in order for a war to be just, the three things needed would be the "authority of the sovereign," a "just cause," and a "rightful intention." By that moral compass, the war in Afghanistan could probably be on its way to becoming one-third "just."

Afghanistan: Reconciliation process and Indian concerns
Jan 11, 2013

Afghanistan: Reconciliation process and Indian concerns

The recent developments in the Afghan reconciliation process have evoked a new sense of optimism regarding a peaceful solution to the conflict in the country. First, there was the release of 26 prisoners, in batches, by Pakistan and then the two-day talks in Paris,

Afghanistan: Rising violence, uncertain peace
Mar 23, 2015

Afghanistan: Rising violence, uncertain peace

In Afghanistan, how the unity government strikes an internal balance will in turn determine in long run its ability to carry forth a range of bold policy initiatives through political consensus. It would also to an extent impact morale on the battlefield.

Afghanistan: Security derailing work in the mining sector
Nov 18, 2013

Afghanistan: Security derailing work in the mining sector

India's most significant investment project in Afghanistan has been the Hajigak mines in Bamiyan province. A Steel Authority of India Ltd-led consortium of six companies had won the rights to extract iron ore from the mines in 2011.

Afghanistan: Talking to the enemy
Feb 02, 2012

Afghanistan: Talking to the enemy

The US position on Afghanistan has many weaknesses. Having announced prematurely that the US would withdraw in 2011, efforts at backtracking have only meant that the locals and their Pakistani masters believe that it is a matter of time before the US and NATO will leave.

Afghanistan: Tensions over Iran's refugee policy
Mar 15, 2013

Afghanistan: Tensions over Iran's refugee policy

Afghan refugees in Iran are experiencing increasing hostility as State policies become explicitly discriminatory. The recent persecution of these displaced persons has brought this fact to light.

Afghanistan: The way out Give guarantees for its neutrality
Dec 31, 2009

Afghanistan: The way out Give guarantees for its neutrality

The people of Afghanistan have not forgotten what the Taliban did to them and their country when they ruled Afghanistan with Pakistan's political and military support. The Taliban are not popular in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: The zero option
Jul 19, 2013

Afghanistan: The zero option

The possibility of, and debate about, a 'zero option' for American troop presence, or absence, in Afghanistan post-2014 has surfaced once again. According to The New York Times, the US administration has not ruled out the possibility of a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan come 2014.

Afghanistan:'Green on Blue' killings cause of worry for US
Sep 07, 2012

Afghanistan:'Green on Blue' killings cause of worry for US

The recent US decision to suspend training of Afghan local police has underlined the growing worries in Washington over the incidents of Afghan soldiers killing American troops in 2012.

Africa and the International Criminal Court
Dec 05, 2013

Africa and the International Criminal Court

In the context of the African Union-International Criminal Court confrontation, the court is no longer about finding justice for the victims as many wrongly assume and believe; rather the process is now about whether an ICC faced with prosecuting cases that don't belong there,