South Asia

About Centre

South Asia is one of the main areas of research focus at IDSA. The region has been going through a period of turmoil over the last few years. Definitive steps have been taken in the recent past towards the establishment of democratic governments in the region. Given the importance of developments in the region for Indian security, experts at IDSA keenly watch and analyse unfolding developments in each South Asian country.

Two projects that are currently under progress are ‘Developments in Pakistan’ and ‘Pakistan Occupied Kashmir’. In addition, individual scholars are engaged in researching various security related aspects pertaining to South Asian countries. The Centre has established bilateral institutional relations with leading think tanks in the region and proposes to undertake joint studies.

Minutes of South Asia Centre Meetings

Afghanistan: Between Hope and Despair

As the Afghans and the world look towards a new dawn on 1 January 2015, there are some things that stand out clearly and have to be recognised by both the Afghans as well as the international community.

Rajeev Agarwal
October 20, 2012
IDSA Comments

Brinkmanship over the Padma Bridge

The World Bank’s decision to withhold funding for the Padma Bridge embarrassed a government that has been doing reasonable work especially in checking extremism at a time when radicalism is sweeping many parts of the world.

Anand Kumar
October 19, 2012
IDSA Comments

Why is Tamil Nadu Against Sri Lanka?

In particular, Tamil Nadu deems that the Government of Sri Lanka has failed to stand by its commitment to seek a political solution based on devolution of powers under the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution.

M. Mayilvaganan
October 01, 2012
IDSA Comments

Brajesh Mishra’s Legacy to National Security and Diplomacy

As the first national security adviser of India, Brajesh Mishra’s contribution towards building a viable national security management system will always be remembered.

Arvind Gupta
September 30, 2012
IDSA Comments

India-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Meet: The Hype and the Substance

India and Pakistan have signed a visa liberalization agreement and reactivated the joint commission during the last round of foreign minister level talks in Islamabad. These are significant steps forward but lot more can be done to make the process of bilateral engagement irreversible.

Smruti S. Pattanaik
September 17, 2012
IDSA Comments

Stagnating India-Sri Lanka Relations: Need for a Diversified Approach

India-Sri Lanka relations appear to be reaching a phase of stagnation. The Govt of India has to adopt, perforce, a multifaceted approach on the cultural, economic and security fronts for stability of the bilateral relations in the overall interest of India.

Gautam Sen
September 13, 2012
IDSA Comments

The Tamil Nadu factor reappears in India-Sri Lanka Relations

The much-talked about Tamil Nadu factor in India-Sri Lanka relations has come to the fore recently again in the wake of strong reactions of the provincial government to the training of two Sri Lankan defence personnel in the state in August 2012

Gulbin Sultana
September 12, 2012
IDSA Comments

The Importance of Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie’s Visit to India

Chinese defence minister’s visit to India assumes special significance in the context of growing Chinese concerns about American rebalancing strategy in the Asia Pacific and growing Indo-US relations. India should take note of Chinese anxieties and put across its views in a candid and uninhibited manner in its engagement with China.

R. S. Kalha
September 11, 2012
IDSA Comments

Ershad’s Visit to India Whets His Political Ambition

Ershad’s recent visit to India seems to have whetted his political ambition. In the last election he was hoping for the post of president, a ceremonial position in Bangladeshi political set-up; now he has stated openly that he wants to be prime minister after the next elections.

Anand Kumar
September 10, 2012
IDSA Comments

Iran factor in India’s Afghan Policy

As India plans to stay engaged in Afghanistan beyond 2014, Iran has emerged as a critical component of India’s Afghan policy. Despite US pressures, India needs to adopt a pragmatic approach vis-à-vis Iran and engage it effectively to protect its vital security and geo-political interests in Afghanistan.