In the recent past, several Islamist movements promising to re-establish the pristine political system dating back to the days of the Prophet have captured the mind of believers. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is one such movement that grew out of the resentment against the established religious parties’ failure to implement sharia, coupled with Pakistan’s decision to join the war on terror which fuelled religious anxiety that this war was aimed against Islam.
Sri Lanka has always featured in any discussion on Indian Ocean geopolitics. However, its geopolitical significance has increased manifold after the end of the long-drawn war that saw the defeat of the LTTE. The manner in which the war concluded brought international focus on the country, as some of the Tamil leaders sought international indulgence to ensure justice is delivered, and peace brought through war results in a meaningful political solution for the Tamils.
Regional strategic dynamics in South Asia is in a state of flux since the announcement of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China emphasises on the economic aspect of investment in infrastructures and energy projects, but strategic underpinning are very much apparent. China loan has created indebtedness in these countries and has helped Beijing to gain strategic foothold in the region which India considers as core to its security. India’s aid programme though focuses on the neighbourhood, it remains small compared to China and suffers from delivery deficit.
The Easter bomb blasts is a grim reminder of how the undercurrent of ethno-religious violence remains a dominant factor in Sri Lanka’s chequered history.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on India’s airstrikes in Pakistan, titled ‘Raising the Costs for Pakistan’ was published by The Economic Times on February 26, 2019.
It was time that India raised the diplomatic and military costs for Pakistan, while taking necessary action to secure itself. Tuesday’s air strike in Balakot reflects this new direction in India’s policy, says Dr Pattanaik.
It remains to be seen whether AL in its third term will be able to address the issue of rampant corruption that has deeply permeated the governance structure as well as the issue of free speech that many believe the ICT Act has impaired.
Soft power has become a new currency of power in international relations. It assumes more significance with countries that are sovereign equals but vulnerable to dominance and hegemonic actions by powerful states in international system. Especially in countries that are extremely sovereignty-sensitive, actions through soft power becomes more acceptable as a means of intervention whether it is economic or cultural investment Of dominant powers. American soft power is much more about the attractiveness of America as a liberal democracy.
Of late the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is receiving sincere attention from its member countries as an organisation that has the potential to transform the region’s political and economic future. This is because there are several bilateral and sub-regional ongoing projects that are seeking to connect the region and bind them together into one economic whole. Apart from this, after the cancellation of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit in 2017, many would see the BIMSTEC as an alternative to SAARC.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on BIMSTEC, titled ‘Turning Bimstec into a vehicle for regional cooperation’ was published in The Daily Star on August 31, 2018.
The article analyses BIMSTEC’s potential to transform the region. The organization will remain a vehicle for transforming eastern South Asia where the members share fairly good relations. With the right mixture of political will and direction, BIMSTEC can deliver in areas where SAARC has not been able to, reads the article.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on the recently concluded Pakistan elections, titled ‘The future of 'Naya Pakistan' was published in ‘The Daily Star’ on July 31, 2018.
The article spells out the challenges before the new government in delivering a corruption-free Pakistan which is sensitive to the expectations of the people.
Sri Lanka: Securitising Minority Alienation
The Easter bomb blasts is a grim reminder of how the undercurrent of ethno-religious violence remains a dominant factor in Sri Lanka’s chequered history.