ISSUE BRIEF

In 1974, India conducted a nuclear test that it termed as a ‘peaceful nuclear explosion’. However, in 1998, India conducted a full scale nuclear test and consequently claimed to attain nuclear capability. It was soon followed by its neighbor, Pakistan, also opting for the same nuclear route. A year later, the draft on nuclear doctrine was presented in August 1999 to the Indian Prime Minister. Subsequently the Cabinet released it for public debate by the National Security Advisory Board.

April 11, 2012

India’s Art of Balancing in West Asia

ZAKIR HUSSAIN

The Indian foreign minister SM Krishna’s four nation visit to Israel, Jordan, Palestine and the UAE from January 8 to 11, 2012 has been seen as a beginning of “new approach ” in India’s foreign policy towards West Asia in general and the Arab Gulf region in particular. India has unequivocally accepted the paradigm that the relations with both Palestine as well as Israel are equally significant to its core national interests. Israel is important to India from defence, security and technology point of view, while Palestine is significant for humanitarian, ideological and strategic reasons.

January 26, 2012

Complicating the Complicated: Sino-Indian Ties Vs. China’s Tibet Obsession

MAHENDRA KUMAR DASH

Indo–China relationship touched a new low when the latter unilaterally cancelled the 15th round of Special Representative-level talks between Indian and Chinese diplomats which was scheduled to be held on 5th December at New Delhi. The reason as cited by China is a scheduled speech in New Delhi by the Dalai Lama. Perhaps gone are the days of Chinese socialism because this is the expression of Bejing’s feudal mindset and its narrow minded approach over bi-lateral issues.

January 10, 2012

Dynamics Demystified: India-Bangladesh Relations

MALLIKA SINHA

According to Thomas Homer-Dixon, water will be the major source of conflict in the upcoming time. The contemporary scenario represents somewhat the same picture. Present era is marked with various kinds of conflicts where resource sharing between the nations is a big issue of contemplation, which further leads to disagreement. The conflict often arises due to unequal distribution of resources or from a dependency-led need for more resources often at the expense of neighboring states.

January 9, 2012

SOUTH ASIA CONFLICT MONITOR

Maldives: Anti-Government Protests Grip the Island Nation

Sporadic violence erupted in the Maldives early this week as thousands of people descended on the streets of capital Male, protesting against the government over the soaring prices of consumer goods and services; and for alleged government mismanagement of public funds and uneconomical spending.

March 9, 2012

Maldives: Anti-Government Protests Grip the Island Nation

May 6, 2011

Bangladesh: Ethnic Violence Flares up in the Chittagong Hills

On April 17, at least four people were killed, more than 20 others injured during a violent clash between indigenous hill people and Bengali settlers at Shankholapara of Ramgarh area in Khagrachhari. Around 60 houses of ethnic minority people were burnt. The violence reportedly flared up when the settlers began clearing 50 acres of forest on a hillock that originally belongs to the Marma tribal people.

April 21, 2011

Pakistan and Blasphemy Law: Assassination of Liberal, Secular and Progressive Personalities Continues !

Religious target Killings in Pakistan reached a new low on Wednesday (March 02) when Pakistani federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti was assassinated by pro Taliban elements in the capital city of Islamabad.

March 2, 2011