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 UN Internal Review Panel Report and Sri Lanka’s Urgent Need for Accountability

With the release of the United Nations Internal Review Panel Report in November 2012, the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka has once again captured the attention of the world.

Thiruni Kelegama
January 09, 2013
Issue Brief

Peace and Stability in Afghanistan: The Role of Neighbours

The security deficit can be filled to a large extent by Afghanistan’s neighbours if they can be persuaded to accept the responsibility, including by contributing troops to a UN-mandated peacekeeping force.

Gurmeet Kanwal
December 13, 2012
Comment

Sectarian Violence in Karachi: Is Pakistan Closer to the Precipice?

Unity of purpose and synergy between state institutions required to deal with sectarian violence is largely missing and, as a result, the Pakistani state is responding to the growing Taliban threat in Karachi in a knee-jerk manner.

P. K. Upadhyay
December 07, 2012
Comment

Renewed American Engagement with Nepal’s Maoists

America’s removal of Nepal’s ruling Maoist party from the list of global terrorist groups not only recognises the party’s transformation from a “violent” political outfit to a political party committed to democratic norms, but also signals renewed US interest in Nepal.

Monalisa Adhikari
November 27, 2012
Issue Brief

Political Stalemate and Transitional Justice in Post-conflict Nepal

Failure to provide justice will significantly undermine the capacity of the state to uphold the rule of law and undermine the foundations of the new institutions that are being instituted.

Monalisa Adhikari
November 21, 2012
Issue Brief

The Current Talibani Assault on the Pakistani Nation

What is worrying is that the Army is clearly abandoning its earlier pretence of readiness to take the Islamic zealots head on and sections of the establishment seem more willing now to be just silent accomplices.

P. K. Upadhyay
November 12, 2012
Comment

Aftermath of Begum Khaleda Zia`s Visit to India

The goodwill built up during Khaleda Zia’s recent India visit needs to be capitalised upon judiciously, by keeping a manifestly even-handed stance on the internal politics of Bangladesh.

Gautam Sen
November 12, 2012
Comment

Begum Khaleda Zia`s Visit to India

Indian leaders may have to convincingly convey to Begum Zia and her BNP party delegation their commitment towards the economic development of Bangladesh, continuation of Indian aid, and intent to address the balance of trade issue irrespective of the party in power there.

Gautam Sen
October 29, 2012
Comment

Asif Zardari: Consummate Cunning or Spineless and Unscrupulous

It is precisely Zardari’s ability to do the unthinkable that has consistently confounded both his detractors and admirers and given him the aura of great cunning and cleverness.

Sushant Sareen
October 25, 2012
Comment

Afghanistan: Between Hope and Despair

As the Afghans and the world look towards a new dawn on 1 January 2015, there are some things that stand out clearly and have to be recognised by both the Afghans as well as the international community.