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

Obama’s visit to India: Is the glass of Indo-US strategic partnership half full or half empty?

While President Obama’s visit to India in November 2010 should further strengthen the Indo-US strategic partnership, some issues have the potential of clouding the relationship. Both sides should be sensitive to each other’s concerns and focus on areas such as space cooperation to give the relationship greater dynamism.

Arvind Gupta
October 25, 2010
IDSA Comments

A Passage Through India?

Given the fragility of ISAF’s southern lines of communication passing through Pakistan, India could consider offering a passage through its territory as a meaningful alternative.

Harinder Singh
October 21, 2010
IDSA Comments

How ISI terrorises Pakistani Journalists

Umar Cheema’s abduction and torture by ISI officials recently is part of the strong arm tactics employed by the Pakistan Army and its intelligence wing to force journalists to fall in line.

Rajeev Sharma
October 19, 2010
IDSA Comments

Afghanistan: India should keep a low profile for the present

India must stay engaged, keep a low profile, earn the goodwill of the Afghan people through its multifaceted assistance programme, and stay away from any costly misadventure in the security sector.

Arvind Gupta
October 18, 2010
IDSA Comments

For Bangladesh Improving Domestic Situation is as important as Fighting the Taliban

Bangladesh is making an important effort domestically to weaken the affiliates of al-Qaeda and Taliban ideology, which is no less important than making contributions to ISAF.

Anand Kumar
October 12, 2010
IDSA Comments

Afghanistan: A Firewall is Better than Partition

India has been fairly successful in firewalling the radical blowback emanating from Pakistan in the past and need not be overly worried about the impending US withdrawal.

18th Amendment: Making a Mockery of Democracy in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government seems to be in a desperate hurry to bring about all the necessary revisions in the constitution to strengthen the Executive Presidency without any provision of checks and balances. Sri Lanka, under Rajapaksa, is headed towards nepotism and dictatorship as the 18th amendment suggests.

Gulbin Sultana
October 07, 2010
IDSA Comments

Bangladesh Beats Global Recession Through Exports

The tremendous growth in Bangladesh’s exports has been due to three factors – the global recession, new markets and China’s spectacular economic growth.

Anand Kumar
September 27, 2010
IDSA Comments

Chumbi Valley: Economic Rationale but Strategic Resonance

Shaping responses towards the issue of Chumbi Valley would perhaps require a penetrating understanding of the “reality” that defines China’s political trajectory in South Asia in coming years.