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

Anatomy of Floods: Problems Ahead in Pakistan

The anger and frustration of the people against the political parties and the nimble footed response of the Islamists will result in disaffection of people towards the state and rising support for the jihadis.

Rumel Dahiya
August 12, 2010
IDSA Comments

Wikileaked Warlogs: Will whistle-blowing change Af-Pak reality?

While the US may continue to keep its contacts with the Pakistani army and its political leadership and strengthen its presence in Pakistan, can it contain the tide of Islamic radicalism prospering within Pakistan?

The Soft Coup in Pakistan

India has to prepare itself for the consequences of an unstable Pakistan headed by a weak civilian government, effectively controlled by the army.

India-Pakistan Talks-Need for a Grand Negotiating Strategy

India should now focus on handling internal differences, balancing issues across sectors and forging a domestic consensus in order to enhance its negotiating posture vis-a-vis Pakistan

Medha Bisht
July 27, 2010
IDSA Comments

Maldives: Beleaguered Democracy

Multi-party democracy in Maldives is facing a major crisis in the wake of a bitter political struggle between the president and the opposition-dominated national parliament.

Anand Kumar
July 27, 2010
IDSA Comments

JMB Remains the Fountainhead of Terror in Bangladesh

Recent arrests prove the close relationship between Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and extremist groups that have vowed to turn Bangladesh into an Islamic state.

Anand Kumar
July 22, 2010
IDSA Comments

Strategic Stalemate in Afghanistan

Since the US and its allies have no additional troops to contribute for the fight against the radical extremist forces in Afghanistan, the net must be enlarged to include military contributions from Afghanistan’s regional neighbours, perhaps under a UN flag.

India needs to engage with the real decision makers in Pakistan

India should try and broaden its engagement with all sections of Pakistani society which is getting differentiated due to the simultaneous multiple crises in that country.

Arvind Gupta
July 19, 2010
IDSA Comments

Restructuring the Dialogue Process with Pakistan

The India-Pakistan dialogue could be restructured in a way that allows them to engage each other in a formal but unstructured strategic political dialogue which focuses beyond immediate disputes and problems.

Jammu and Kashmir: Governance is the key

The survey in J&K and ‘Azad Kashmir’ indicates that people consider unemployment as a major problem, followed by corruption, poor economic development and human rights abuses.