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

A Rejoinder to John R. Schmidt, ‘Pakistan’s Alternate Universe’

Whatever John R. Schmidt’s aims, the arguments that he has employed do not stand the test of casual perusal leave alone scrutiny.

Amit Julka
December 12, 2011
IDSA Comments

The Miasmic Memo

Byzantine intrigues are nothing new in the sordid world of Pakistan’s power politics.

Sushant Sareen
November 23, 2011
IDSA Comments

The MFN Debate in Pakistan’s Urdu Press: Sign of cracks?

The importance of the MFN status issue lies in the debate that the agreement has initiated in Pakistan, which could influence both the internal political structures of the country as well as the way it deals with its neighbours.

The Olive Branch from Pakistan, in its Time of Crises

India’s recent encounters with Pakistan show surprisingly warm diplomacy, with an open declaration from Islamabad of “mending the trust deficit.” This upswing in relations however comes with no guarantees.

Shruti Pandalai
November 17, 2011
IDSA Comments

Will Cooperative Security Work in South Asia?

While the cooperative security approach has not succeeded in resolving conflicts in South Asia, it might work when it comes to resolving human security related issues.

Arvind Gupta
November 13, 2011
IDSA Comments

Queering the ‘Pitch’ of Pakistan Politics

At a time of such monumental, even existential, challenges, if all that Pakistan can come up with is a vacuous demagogue like Imran Khan, then its future is pretty bleak.

Sushant Sareen
November 08, 2011
IDSA Comments

Nepalese PM’s Visit to India: “Qualified Success”

Prime Minister Bhattarai’s visit will definitely help in dispelling some of the mistrust between India and the Maoist regime in Nepal.

Anshuman Behera
November 04, 2011
IDSA Comments

Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan: A Feeble Attempt at a Regional Solution

It will not be fair to assess the success or failure of the Conference at this stage. The fact that there was an attempt to forge regional cooperation on Afghanistan was a positive but feeble step.

Political Cost of PM Bhattarai’s India Visit

The visit gave an opportunity to both India and the Maoists to settle some of their misunderstandings. However, it could be a huge risk for India to engage him more at the individual level than at the party level.

Nihar R. Nayak
October 31, 2011
IDSA Comments

Prime Minister Bhattarai’s Visit to India: Renewing Ties in a Critical Transition Phase

Bhattarai’s visit was historic not for the bilateral issues that were discussed but because it provided an opportunity for meaningful re-engagement between India and the UCPN(M).