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

Tit for Tat: A Nuclear Retaliation Alternative

Since the infliction of unacceptable damage may not deter Pakistan from breaking the nuclear taboo, a ‘tit for tat’ strategy in case of lower order nuclear use is worth considering.

Ali Ahmed
October 03, 2011
IDSA Comments

Pakistan’s Flood Redux: Need for Institutional Disaster Preparedness

While the institutional reforms and structures are in place, often their effectiveness is impeded by corrupt practices and lack of proper maintenance and implementation on ground.

Medha Bisht
September 30, 2011
IDSA Comments

The party’s over in the Hindu Kush: It’s time for the US to call it a day

Left behind will be a quasi-theocratic Afghan state compelled to accommodate Talibani-style cultural medievalism and a Pakistani state teetering on the brink of political self-destruction and social chaos.

Harold A. Gould
September 26, 2011
IDSA Comments

The PM’s Speech at the 66th UNGA session: Indian Foreign Policy in Search of a Balance?

The PM’s speech in the UN General Assembly shows that Indian foreign policy may be rediscovering age old themes which had become subdued in recent years.

Arvind Gupta
September 26, 2011
IDSA Comments

Rabbani Assassination: An Assertive Taliban and America’s Dilemmas

With Burhanuddin Rabbani’s assassination, the reconciliation process with the Taliban is dead.

Ashok K. Behuria
September 22, 2011
IDSA Comments

Evaluating India’s Strategic Partnerships using Analytic Hierarchy Process

Introduction

Arvind Gupta , Sarita Azad
September 17, 2011
IDSA Comments

Azad Kashmir elections and Pakistan’s hypocrisy

Pakistan needs to practice greater respect for individual rights and allow indigenous political outfits to participate in the political processes in PoK.

The Continuing ‘State of Emergency’ in Sri Lanka

Removing emergency regulations while continuing with militarisation and a massive project of policing in socio-cultural arenas do not indicate a journey towards normalcy.

Amali Wedagedara
September 05, 2011
IDSA Comments

The Uses of Public and Cultural Diplomacy

Leveraging public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy is key to enable India graduate from being a regional power in South Asia to a great power in the Asia-Pacific.

Game-theoretic Understanding of India-Pakistan Relations

Game theory can be helpful in understanding how India and Pakistan can get out of the low paying unhelpful situations, throw light on crisis escalation and crisis stability, and to understand their nuclear thresholds.