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 Political undoing of Zardari

The current change in the Chair of the NCA merely indicates the declining power of President Zardari and does not necessarily mean empowerment of the civilian government.

From FATA to South Punjab: The Looming Leap of Islamic Radicalism in Pakistan

A disturbing aspect of the current phase of Islamist militancy in Pakistan is that the terrorist acts outside FATA and NWFP are not being staged by ethnic Pashtun elements but by local Punjabi cohorts.

P. K. Upadhyay
November 30, 2009
IDSA Comments

No Quick Deliverance from Terrorism for Pakistan

Not only will Pakistan have to take on all sorts of Pakistani Taliban, it will also have to end the network of jihadists in provinces like Punjab and Sindh if it really wants to get rid of the Islamist menace.

Sushant Sareen
November 30, 2009
IDSA Comments

Another 26 / 11 Averted in Bangladesh

The coming to power of Sheikh Hasina and General Moeen’s determined efforts to transform the army into a fully professional force have weakened elements that support terrorism in Bangladesh.

Anand Kumar
November 27, 2009
IDSA Comments

Mujib Killing Case Judgement

The verdict will have a balming effect on all those who not only lost their families but also on those who felt betrayed by the subsequent turn of events in Bangladesh.

Sreeradha Datta
November 25, 2009
IDSA Comments

Crackdown on Northeast Insurgents: Dhaka Prepares for Hasina’s India Visit

New Delhi and Dhaka may have reached a tacit understanding that Northeast rebels based in Bangladesh will be simply picked up and handed over to India.

Anand Kumar
November 18, 2009
IDSA Comments

Diversion of Yarlung Tsangpo: A Probability Analysis

The issue of water allocation and water rights of Bangladesh, India and China could form the basis of a framework on which joint cooperation among the three countries can be formulated.

Medha Bisht
November 11, 2009
IDSA Comments

America’s Afghan Sojourn

The US may have satiated its desire for vengeance but risks losing sight of its objectives due to liberal atavism, inconstancy, pusillanimity and operational ineptitude.

Kartik Bommakanti
November 03, 2009
IDSA Comments

A Possible Afghan Denouement

Post an American exit, China is likely to increase its investments in Afghanistan, provide employment to hundreds of unskilled Afghan workers, and assume the role of regional stabiliser.

Ramesh Phadke
November 03, 2009
IDSA Comments

China should not use water as a threat multiplier

Water may not become a catalyst for a direct conflict, but China could leverage Tibet’s water as a politico-military tool vis-à-vis other riparian states. As the economies of India and China grow, both are bound to treat water as a strategic commodity.