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

India and the Maldivian Malady

The challenge before India is to make sure that it stands on the side of popular aspirations, democratic and secular values and representative forces in its immediate periphery.

S. D. Muni
February 15, 2012
IDSA Comments

The Imperative of Deep Engagement with Maldives

India must deal with the situation in a calm and mature manner since an unstable Maldives can have serious regional security implications as well as impact upon India’s security.

Arvind Gupta
February 13, 2012
IDSA Comments

Political Transition in Maldives

Although the political situation is likely to stabilise in the short-term, multi-party democracy established in Maldives after the 2008 elections has received a definite setback.

Anand Kumar
February 09, 2012
IDSA Comments

India’s Past Year at the UN Security Council

India’s overall approach at the UNSC in the past year was focused on projecting and representing the opinion of the developing world, addressing problems through regional solutions and achieving as much progress as possible through diplomacy and dialogue.

Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee Report: A Valuable Process than an End Product

The value of Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee lies more in the process it created and the multiple narratives it brought in from the periphery rather than as an end product in itself.

Amali Wedagedara
February 01, 2012
Issue Brief

Bangladesh survives yet another Military coup attempt

Ever since the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina government came into office after sweeping the December 2008 general elections, her domestic opponents and their foreign patrons have been plotting the ouster of her government through undemocratic means.

Rajeev Sharma
January 23, 2012
IDSA Comments

Analysing the failed Coup in Bangladesh

The failed coup indicates the penetration of Islamists and more specifically that of the Hizb ut-Tahrir whose main support base is among the educated youth, who are highly motivated and belong to affluent families in urban areas.

Chinese PM in Nepal: A short visit but a long trail?

Wen Jiabao’s visit came about at a time when China is concerned about the ongoing political instability in Nepal and is looking for new political partners after the fall of the monarchy.

Nihar R. Nayak
January 18, 2012
IDSA Comments

Possible Political Scenarios in Pakistan

If the army is not in favour of a coup, attempts could be made to defuse the tension through a compromise between the army and the government, with some leadership change acting as a face-saver.

Arvind Gupta
January 16, 2012
IDSA Comments

Pakistan: Is A Judicial Coup in the Offing?

Unwilling to allow the PPP an opportunity to gain a majority in the Senate, the Army and other political actors are willing participants in efforts to topple the government through the judiciary.