Anand Kumar

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Dr. Anand Kumar is an Associate Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. After completing his PhD from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on “Germany and UN Peacekeeping Operations in the post-Cold War Era”, he joined MP-IDSA in 2007. Over the years, Dr. Kumar has worked on strategic issues gaining reputation as a leading security expert. His areas of specialization at MP-IDSA are Counter-terrorism, South Asian politics, Bangladesh, Maldives, Proliferation of Small Arms and Low intensity conflicts. He has completed three projects at MP-IDSA: “Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Indo-Bangladesh Relations”, “Terrorism Challenges in Bangladesh”, “Bangladesh and Its Security Relationship with External Powers” and is currently engaged in studying “China as a Factor in the US Engagement with South Asia.” Before joining MP-IDSA, he worked at the South Asia Analysis Group on similar themes. He has also been with the Institute for Conflict Management which specializes on counter-terrorism. Dr. Kumar also has a good understanding of European and North American politics.

Dr. Kumar was a visiting professor and ICCR Chair (Indian Ocean Studies) in the University of Dar-Es-Salaam (UDSM) from November 2017 to November 2019. He worked in the department of political science and public administration. In UDSM he taught Counter-terrorism, regional integration, peacemaking and conflict resolution. He also closely followed issues related to African politics, economics and security.

Dr. Kumar has authored three books and has an edited volume. His latest book Bangladesh and Its Security Relationship with External Powers was published by K W Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi in 2021. His book on the Maldives entitled “Multi-party Democracy in the Maldives and the Emerging Security Environment in the Indian Ocean Region” was published by Pentagon Press, New Delhi in 2016. His first book Return from the Precipice: Bangladesh’s Fight against Terrorism, and the edited volume The Terror Challenge in South Asia and Prospect of Regional Cooperation were also published by Pentagon Security International, New Delhi. He has published over 30 research papers in reputed journals and edited books. He has delivered lectures on security issues both in India and abroad. He has participated and presented papers in national and international conferences. His article “Shaikh Hasina’s Visit to India and the future of Indo-Bangladesh Relations” was published by the Royal Society for Asia Affairs, London in their official journal Asian Affairs. He has published hundreds of articles in leading newspapers and magazines, including “Insurgency in South Asia muted by war on terror,” The Washington Times, January 16, 2004, and “The Jihadi Next Door,” The Washington Times, May 20, 2010.

Associate Fellow
Email: anand_rai@hotmail.com, anandkmrai@gmail.com
Phone: +91 11 2671 7983

Publication

Poll time in Maldives

President Waheed has opted for an early election, which is scheduled for September 7. Despite reservations expressed by many political parties, the election process is truly underway that could restore democracy in the country.

Impact of West Bengal Politics on India–Bangladesh Relations

It was expected that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka in September 2011 would transform India–Bangladesh relations. However, this did not happen as India could not sign the Teesta water sharing agreement, the biggest deliverable of the visit. It also made some people brand West Bengal (Paschimbanga) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a spoiler.

Bangladesh: Punish War Criminals but Maintain Law and Order

The war crime trials should be taken to their logical conclusion to create a precedent that will discourage the extremist and radical elements. But the government must also act swiftly to maintain law and order so that the situation is not used by extra-constitutional forces to thwart the whole exercise.

Brinkmanship over the Padma Bridge

The World Bank’s decision to withhold funding for the Padma Bridge embarrassed a government that has been doing reasonable work especially in checking extremism at a time when radicalism is sweeping many parts of the world.

Ershad’s Visit to India Whets His Political Ambition

Ershad’s recent visit to India seems to have whetted his political ambition. In the last election he was hoping for the post of president, a ceremonial position in Bangladeshi political set-up; now he has stated openly that he wants to be prime minister after the next elections.

Chinese Engagement with the Maldives: Impact on Security Environment in the Indian Ocean Region

This article explores the objectives of China's engagement in the Maldives and how the current administration of the country is responding to it. The article also looks at how the Maldives has been used by major powers in the past. On the basis of these analyses, it envisages the path that Maldivian foreign policy is likely to follow in the future and its likely impact on the security environment in the Indian Ocean region.