Search: For - Neighbourhood

641 results found

Surgical Strikes and Deterrence-Stability in South Asia
Jun 24, 2017

Surgical Strikes and Deterrence-Stability in South Asia

Indian announcement of having conducted surgical strikes across the de-facto border with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir has major implications for deterrence-stability in South Asia. New Delhi has sought to devise a military strategy to respond to Pakistan’s sub-conventional war that does not lead to escalation of conflict to nuclear levels and collapse of nuclear deterrence. This paper analyses India’s surgical strikes of September 2016, thei

Taliban’s Afghanistan: An Emerging Security Challenge for India and Central Asia
Aug 16, 2023

Taliban’s Afghanistan: An Emerging Security Challenge for India and Central Asia

Relations between India and the Central Asia Republics (CARs) have matured over the past three decades, primarily in the areas of military technology, defence, counterterrorism, and economy, and culture. Following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan and the resultant security, geostrategic, and geoeconomic challenges, India and the CARs must aim to strengthen their ties. This brief assesses the evolving situation in Afghanistan

Taliban’s Return Threatens Past Gains for Aghanistan’s Women and Girls
Feb 22, 2022

Taliban’s Return Threatens Past Gains for Aghanistan’s Women and Girls

In the midst of the chaotic withdrawal of the US-led forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban swept back to power in Kabul on 15 August 2021. Since then, the Taliban have repeatedly attempted to project a more moderate brand of governance. However, the Taliban leaders have yet to enunciate clear policies on issues such as women’s and girls’ access to education, employment, and political participation. Early indications nonetheless suggest that th

Tehrik-E-Labbaik Pakistan: The New Face of Barelvi Activism
Sep 15, 2021

Tehrik-E-Labbaik Pakistan: The New Face of Barelvi Activism

The emergence of the Tehrik-E-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) as the largest religious political party in the country has introduced a new, aggressive element in Pakistan’s polity. Although the TLP does not have an armed militant wing, it has demonstrated both its street power and the strength of its electoral base only six years since it was set up in 2015. Exploiting deeply emotional issues like the finality of Prophethood and Blasphemy against the Pr

The 2015 India-Bangladesh land boundary agreement: Identifying constraints and exploring possibilities in Cooch Behar
Jul 24, 2017

The 2015 India-Bangladesh land boundary agreement: Identifying constraints and exploring possibilities in Cooch Behar

The border between India and Bangladesh—highly crucial to their bilateral relationship—has always been difficult to manage given, for one, its sheer length. The most important bilateral initiative between Bangladesh and India may yet be the attempt to resolve the longstanding border dispute that arose after the Partition of 1947, by means of the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and the exchange of enclaves (chhitmahals) and adverse possessi

The Arab Spring & India: Promises and Challenges
Jul 20, 2011

The Arab Spring & India: Promises and Challenges

Saeed Naqvi, Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, traveled to Bahrain, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, Baghdad, Najaf, Amman, Cairo, Jerusalem and Ramallah after the Arab Spring broke out. Earlier, he visited Tunisia, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Western Sahara and Libya. In this paper, he shares his first-hand experiences and discussions with leaders and diplomats, many of whom have requested anonymity. This paper follows

The Bangladesh Army: Documenting its Corporate Interests
Nov 24, 2010

The Bangladesh Army: Documenting its Corporate Interests

Little is known and even less understood about the 2,00,000-strong Bangladesh Army's corporate interests. The importance of the subject owes itself to the fact that the army has been a veritable power of stability in a country that has been dogged by decades of unending political turmoil. The fact that the Army had to step in to keep the country from slipping into a political abyss in 2006 underlines the criticality of its role in providing stabi

The Case for a ‘Links, Not Dependencies’ Approach to EU Engagement in the Indo-Pacific
Aug 11, 2023

The Case for a ‘Links, Not Dependencies’ Approach to EU Engagement in the Indo-Pacific

Over the past year, the European Union (EU) increased its efforts to develop a more holistic approach to its engagement with the Indo-Pacific. Specifically, the EU has signalled a more concrete intention to integrate defence and security considerations into the policymaking process, with the publication of a regional strategy of engagement in September 2021. This brief aims to tie existing threads of EU diplomatic, developmental, and security pra

The Changing Contours of Bhutan’s Foreign Policy and the Implications for China and India
Jun 01, 2022

The Changing Contours of Bhutan’s Foreign Policy and the Implications for China and India

Bhutan has historically maintained a neutral relationship with China, to its north, and a more special relationship with India, whose states border its west, east, and south. Over the past two decades, however, many factors are forcing Bhutan to settle its longstanding territorial disputes with China and diversify its relations. These factors include its own changing economy and transition from an absolute monarchy to a democracy, a gener

The Chinese are coming
Apr 03, 2015

The Chinese are coming

While West Asia is volatile, the Chinese are beginning to get more active in Afghanistan, retain their pre-eminence in Pakistan and strengthen ties with Iran. In fact, Iran is the third leg of China?s policy in our immediate western neighbourhood. The Chinese are obviously making preparations for the time when peace returns to the Arab world, which might leave a stronger Iran.

The Dynamics of LTTE’S Commercial Maritime Infrastructure
Jun 04, 2005

The Dynamics of LTTE’S Commercial Maritime Infrastructure

This paper examines the maritime infrastructure of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)--tracing the history of the development of its maritime organisation, infrastructure and strategy. The paper focuses on the salience of sea power as perceived by a violent non-state actor and provides a perspective on how non-state actors employ sea power in asymmetric conflicts

The Economics of Peace: A Nepalese Perspective
Dec 29, 2011

The Economics of Peace: A Nepalese Perspective

Understanding the importance of peace has been accorded high priority in many religions, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. In recent years, many economists have realized the monetary value of peace. Peace is a pre-requisite for the development of infrastructural facilities like education, health, roads, irrigation, power and communications.

The faraway neighbour
Jul 17, 2013

The faraway neighbour

Recent developments in Bhutan reflect India's growing foreign policy challenges in the Neighbourhood. They are a reminder that many of the traditional assumptions of India's regional policy are no longer sustainable.

The Kashmir that India Lost: An Analysis of India’s Post-1980s Policy on Gilgit Baltistan
Apr 25, 2022

The Kashmir that India Lost: An Analysis of India’s Post-1980s Policy on Gilgit Baltistan

This paper dissects the history and politics of Gilgit-Baltistan, a part of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), from the 1980s to the present day. It analyses the policies implemented by Pakistani leaders in the region and how successive political parties have attempted to justify Pakistan’s administrative control of it while disregarding any democratic, secular or moral principles in the ruling of its supposed subjects. The pap

The Mohajir: Identity and politics in multiethnic Pakistan
Nov 06, 2019

The Mohajir: Identity and politics in multiethnic Pakistan

Upon the creation of Pakistan in 1947, millions of refugees and migrants from India made Karachi their new home, settling alongside the native Sindhi population. They identified themselves as mohajirs and have since been part of the long process of assimilation into Pakistan’s multiethnic, multilingual, Islamic republic. The political mobilisation of the group has led to the formation of a number of Mohajir parties, the strongest of which remai

The Return of the Taliban: ‘Foreign Fighters’ and Other Threats to India’s Security
Aug 11, 2023

The Return of the Taliban: ‘Foreign Fighters’ and Other Threats to India’s Security

Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August last year and since then, serious security concerns have arisen for India. There is the spectre of terrorist groups in neighbouring countries gaining strength; there is also the threat of Indians travelling to Afghanistan to either live as civilians desiring a home under “Islamic rule”, or else fight alongside terrorist groups. Indeed, other South Asian countries such as Bangladesh are reporting that

The road to Mekong: the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project
Feb 07, 2017

The road to Mekong: the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project

As India places the Mekong sub-region among its priorities under the country’s ‘Act East’ policy, the ongoing India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project––currently the only land connectivity project between India and the Mekong countries and the wider Southeast Asian region––could prove to be a game changer. It is imperative to explore ways to ensure early completion of this strategic communication link. This paper focuses on

Time to Boost India-Bangladesh Trade and Economic Relations
Jul 28, 2023

Time to Boost India-Bangladesh Trade and Economic Relations

Among India's neighbours, Bangladesh occupies a special position not only because of India's role in its liberation but because geographically, too, it surrounds Bangladesh from three sides. The beginning of close economic relations between the two countries can be traced back to 1971. After its independence, Bangladesh's requirements of consumer goods, especially food, came from India. Over the years, the country has sought easier access to Indi

Towards a Deliberative BIMSTEC
Aug 06, 2020

Towards a Deliberative BIMSTEC

The Bay of Bengal region links South Asia and Southeast Asia, with the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) serving as a platform of trans-border cooperation. The BIMSTEC’s prime assets are the historical and cultural links between the nations, and their spirit of community. However, the lack of both a robust decision-making mechanism and a set of common rules have slowed down the growth of th

Towards a unique digital South Asian identity
May 10, 2017

Towards a unique digital South Asian identity

Executed properly, Aadhaar could become a central pillar of India’s ‘neighbourhood first’ policy.

Understanding Jihadism in Pakistan
Oct 01, 2011

Understanding Jihadism in Pakistan

Pakistan is often accused of being a state sponsor of terrorism. This article bases itself in the belief that though the problem of ?Jihadism? may well have originated from some of Pakistan?s security paranoias, it is now assuming proportions far larger than Pakistan itself. At this stage, Jihadism will be a problem for Pakistan itself as much as for the rest of the world. At the same time, the ability of the Pakistani state to counter this pheno

Understanding the Economic Issues in Sri Lanka’s Current Debacle
Jun 21, 2022

Understanding the Economic Issues in Sri Lanka’s Current Debacle

Sri Lanka, which in the 1970s was being hailed as a development success story for a low-income nation, is now mired in a financial and economic disaster, its worst yet since independence in 1948. Despite notable investments in infrastructure projects, and a largely stable growth rate from 2013 to 2019, the Sri Lankan story was marred by a series of untimely and mismanaged economic measures that led to the current meltdown. External factors have c

UNGA में शांति के पक्ष में भारत: कूटनीति और वार्ता ही रूस-यूक्रेन विवाद का हल
Sep 26, 2022

UNGA में शांति के पक्ष में भारत: कूटनीति और वार्ता ही रूस-यूक्रेन विवाद का हल

संयुक्‍त राष्‍ट्र महासभा में भारतीय विदेश मंत्री ने अपने भाषण में दुनिया के समक्ष भारत का समग्रता का दृष्टिकोण रखा. उन्‍होंने भारतीय विदेश नीति की बुनियादी सिंद्धांतों �

US–Pakistan relations in the Trump era: Resetting the terms of engagement in Afghanistan
Dec 24, 2017

US–Pakistan relations in the Trump era: Resetting the terms of engagement in Afghanistan

In a groundbreaking speech in August this year, US President Donald Trump laid out his government’s policy for South Asia, authorising more American troops to Afghanistan and insisting that Pakistan must either “do more” to restrain Islamist militants, or face consequences. Indian and Afghan governments have welcomed the new US policy approach. The major components of Trump’s Afghanistan strategy — recognising Pakistan’s role in provi

Water Security in South Asia: Issues and Policy Recommendations
Aug 10, 2023

Water Security in South Asia: Issues and Policy Recommendations

This brief is largely based on several discussions organised at Observer Research Foundation over a period of time. These discussions were enriched by the presence of some of the well-known experts on water issues in the country, like former Union Minister for Water Resources, Dr. Suresh Prabhu, current High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Tariq Ahmad Karim, Mr. Sunjoy Joshi, Director, Observer Research Foundation, Ms. Clare Shakya, Senior Regional C

What Sushma Swaraj should look out for in Dhaka
Jun 25, 2014

What Sushma Swaraj should look out for in Dhaka

Friendly Indo-Bangla relations will play a major role in securing peace and prosperity in the South Asia and these can be achieved with sincere initiatives by the government in resolving outstanding issues. India's Bangla policy could be a for the new government in dealing with other countries in the Neighbourhood.

Why India’s economic slowdown is a national security problem
Dec 06, 2019

Why India’s economic slowdown is a national security problem

The country won’t have the resources required to modernise and equip the armed forces, or the wherewithal to project power in its neighbourhood and beyond.

Xi's visit to Maldives: Should India worry?
Sep 29, 2014

Xi's visit to Maldives: Should India worry?

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit and accompanying independent agreements with Maldives and Sri Lanka, on undefined maritime issues and cooperation, have the potential for causing greater concern not only in India, but in the shared neighbourhood and beyond.

अगर चीन और ताइवान के बीच जंग छिड़ता है तो ये तय है कि अमेरिका उसमें शामिल होकर रहेगा!
Jun 04, 2022

अगर चीन और ताइवान के बीच जंग छिड़ता है तो ये तय है कि अमेरिका उसमें शामिल होकर रहेगा!

चीन एक अरसे से दावा करता आ रहा है कि ताइवान उसका हिस्सा है और वह शांतिपूर्ण उपायों से उसे अपने में मिला लेना चाहता है, लेकिन जरूरत पड़ने पर बलप्रयोग करने भी वह हिचकेगा नहीं.

अमेरिका-तालिबान चर्चेचा अन्वयार्थ
Jan 29, 2019

अमेरिका-तालिबान चर्चेचा अन्वयार्थ

पाकिस्तान भारतासोबतचे संबंध सुधारण्यासाठी प्रयत्न करण्यास खरंच तयार असेल तर त्याने अफगाणिस्तान समस्येबाबत भारताचे मत देखील विचारात घेतले पाहिजे.

आदर्श पड़ोस एक मिथ्या
Sep 11, 2024

आदर्श पड़ोस एक मिथ्या

भारत की सफलता इसी पर निर्भर करेगी कि वह अपनी भौगोलिक परिधि के पहलू को किनारे रखकर एक प्रमुख वैश्विक शक्ति के रूप में स्थापित होने के पुरजोर प्रयास करे. 

क्‍या चीन के बीआरआई प्रोजेक्‍ट पर लग सकता है ग्रहण?
Sep 24, 2022

क्‍या चीन के बीआरआई प्रोजेक्‍ट पर लग सकता है ग्रहण?

चीन के बेल्ट एंड रोड इनिशिएटिव परियोजना के निवेश में वर्ष 2019 के बाद से पांच फीसद की गिरावट आई है. इसका अंदाजा इस बात से लगाया जा सकता है कि हाल में बांग्‍लादेश के वित्‍त मंत्र�

क्‍या भारत के ताइवान कार्ड से कंट्रोल में आएगा ड्रैगन?
Sep 24, 2022

क्‍या भारत के ताइवान कार्ड से कंट्रोल में आएगा ड्रैगन?

भारत-चीन सीमा विवाद के पूर्व भारत वन चाइना पालिसी पर आस्‍था व्‍यक्‍त करता रहा है लेकिन चीन के साथ सीमा विवाद गहराने पर भारत ने अपनी नीति में बदलाव के संकेत दिए हैं. ऐसे में स�

क्‍या भारत-पाकिस्‍तान को एक साथ साधने में जुटा बाइडेन प्रशासन
Oct 03, 2022

क्‍या भारत-पाकिस्‍तान को एक साथ साधने में जुटा बाइडेन प्रशासन

अमेरिका में बाइडेन प्रशासन की दक्षिण एशियाई नीति इन दिनों सुर्खियों में है. पाकिस्‍तान में शाहबाज सरकार के बाद दोनों देशों के रिश्‍तों में निकटता बढ़ी है. बाइडेन ने भारत क�

खाड़ी देशों के सवालों का भारत ने दिया डिप्लोमेटिक रिएक्शन
Jun 09, 2022

खाड़ी देशों के सवालों का भारत ने दिया डिप्लोमेटिक रिएक्शन

पैगंबर मुहम्मद के बारे में बीजेपी नेताओं की टिप्पणी का मामला भारत की विदेश नीति के लिए चुनौती बना

चीन का अगला मोहरा बन गया है ‘म्यांमार’
Jul 26, 2022

चीन का अगला मोहरा बन गया है ‘म्यांमार’

चीन हिंद महासागर में भारत को चुनौती देने के लिए म्यानमार में कई प्रोजेक्ट्स पर काम कर रहा है.

चीन की आक्रामक परमाणु योजनाओं ने किया अमेरिका को चिंतित!
Jun 15, 2022

चीन की आक्रामक परमाणु योजनाओं ने किया अमेरिका को चिंतित!

अमेरिका की एक रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि चीन ने अपनी हाइपरसोनिक हथियार प्रणाली को भी मोर्चे पर लगा दिया है. पेंटागन की एक रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक संघर्ष की स्थिति में त्वरित कार्�

चीन की आक्रामक विदेश नीति से और सचेत रहने की ज़रूरत
Oct 18, 2022

चीन की आक्रामक विदेश नीति से और सचेत रहने की ज़रूरत

इसमें कोई संदेह नहीं कि चीनी कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी नेतृत्व विशेषरूप से शी के लिए ताइवान से अधिक महत्वपूर्ण कोई और मुद्दा नहीं. उन्हें सबसे ज्यादा वाहवाही चीन के एकीकरण और चीन�

चीन से निपटने के लिए NATO का क्‍या है बड़ा प्‍लान?
Jul 06, 2022

चीन से निपटने के लिए NATO का क्‍या है बड़ा प्‍लान?

नेटो की मैड्रिड में हुई बैठक में इन चारों हिंद प्रशांत क्षेत्र के देशों के नेताओं ने शिरकत किया. इसको इसी कड़ी से जोड़कर देखा जा रहा है. मैड्रिड की इस बैठक में यह तय हो गया है �

चीन-ताइवान संघर्ष और भारत की चुप्पी, क्या है वजह?
Aug 12, 2022

चीन-ताइवान संघर्ष और भारत की चुप्पी, क्या है वजह?

अमेरिकी कांग्रेस की अध्यक्ष नैंसी पेलोसी की ताइवान की यात्रा को लेकर भारत ने बहुत संभल कर चल रहा है. भारत की ओर से इस मामले पर कोई प्रतिक्रिया नहीं आई है. भारत ने पूरे मामले म�

चीनची नागरी-लष्करी आक्रमणे
May 05, 2023

चीनची नागरी-लष्करी आक्रमणे

भारताच्या निकटवर्तीय भागात चीनची वाढती उपस्थिती चिंताजनक आहे.

ताइवान के बाद भारत के किस क्षेत्र पर है चीन की नज़र?
Aug 24, 2022

ताइवान के बाद भारत के किस क्षेत्र पर है चीन की नज़र?

चीन ताइवान संघर्ष के बाद यह सवाल उठने लगा है कि क्या उसका अगला निशाना कौन. क्या यह भारत के लिए खतरे की घंटी है. भारत चीन सीमा विवाद को लेकर यह सवाल लाजमी है. ऐसे में चीन की आक्रा

ताइवान को लेकर अमेरिका और चीन में फिर गहराया विवाद
Jul 27, 2022

ताइवान को लेकर अमेरिका और चीन में फिर गहराया विवाद

चीन के किसी भी हमले से निपटने के लिए ताइवान ने बाकायदा अभ्यास भी शुरू कर दिया है. ताइवान के इस अभ्यास से यही निहितार्थ निकाले जा रहे हैं कि चीन कभी भी हमला कर सकता है. उधर ताइव�

ताइवान पर हमला करने से क्यों हिचक रहा है चीन?
Aug 22, 2022

ताइवान पर हमला करने से क्यों हिचक रहा है चीन?

ऐसे में सवाल उठता है कि क्या चीन और ताइवान के बीच युद्ध होगा. अगर यह युद्ध हुआ तो इसमें अमेरिका जापान और पश्चिमी देशों की क्या भूमिका होगी. क्या यह जंग अब चीन और ताइवान से आगे �

द ग्रेट ब्रिटेन: मोनार्की के सामने भविष्य का सबसे बड़ा प्रश्न!
Sep 12, 2022

द ग्रेट ब्रिटेन: मोनार्की के सामने भविष्य का सबसे बड़ा प्रश्न!

क्वीन की इस सॉफ्ट पावर को दुनियाभर में बहुत फायदा भी मिला है.