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

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.

Arvind Gupta
August 16, 2011
IDSA Comments

Project Tiger: Reintegration of the Surrendered LTTE Cadres

If adequate attention is not given to reintegrating former LTTE militants, there are chances that they may resort to criminal or militant activities for their livelihood.

N. Manoharan
July 21, 2011
IDSA Comments

Benefits of the Pegging Arrangement Between Nepali and Indian Currencies

In the existing situation, any effort to do away with the pegging arrangement would further invite capital flight from Nepal and thus affect business, trade and other economic activities.

Averting the ‘Lehman Momentum’ in Nepal

The health of Nepal’s banking and financial institutions has deteriorated drastically, causing panic among a section of depositors and government institutions.

India-Pakistan Dialogue: Cautious Optimism, Lots of Scepticism

Pakistan’s conciliatory approach towards India is tactical and could change rapidly if the army decides that its interests are better served through a more offensive posture.

An Ocean at The Intersection of Two Emerging Maritime Narratives

This issue brief delves into the pragmatic motivations undergirding India and China’s “will to the sea”, before examining on a more conceptual level how New Delhi and Beijing have drawn on the old in order to buttress the new, most notably through the crafting of two maritime narratives.

India-Pakistan Talks: Media’s Role Crucial for Normalisation of Relations

The success of high-level talks between India and Pakistan would depend on how the media shape popular opinion in the two countries and popular support to take the relationship forward.

The Other South Asia

Though Pakistan and Afghanistan still continue to be embroiled in religious and ethnic conflict, the rest of South Asia appears keen to check and go beyond such tendencies.