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

Cross-LoC Confidence Building Measures between India and Pakistan: A Giant Leap or a Small Step towards Peace?

The report examines the reaction of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to various cross-LoC contacts that have been initiated by India and Pakistanwhich is an important bilateral Confidence-Building Measure (CBM) between India and Pakistan. This report also analyses the problems and prospects of opening of other routes.

US Arms Sales are propping up Pakistan as a Regional Challenger

India is justified in seeing the US move to go ahead with the sale of the F-16s as an attempt to balance America’s strategic partnership with India by once again propping up Pakistan as a regional challenger.

Gurmeet Kanwal
February 11, 2010
IDSA Comments

Media’s Constructivism and the India-Pakistan Peace Process

Whether the media groups succeed in achieving their “Aman ki Asha” is yet to be seen. But if they can sustain their vigorous campaign, the desire for peace in the region may deepen further.

Shamshad A. Khan
February 02, 2010
IDSA Comments

Dams in Arunachal Pradesh: Between Development Debates and Strategic Dimensions

Dam building in Arunachal Pradesh should not be perceived as an insurmountable irritant, but rather as a sign of a vibrant Indian democracy.

Medha Bisht
February 01, 2010
IDSA Comments

The Law Catches Up With Mujib Killers in Bangladesh

The punishment of Mujib’s killers will hopefully now delegitimize this process and strengthen democracy in Bangladesh.

Anand Kumar
February 01, 2010
IDSA Comments

The London Conference: It is time for India to reassess its Afghan Policy

This is a good time for India to review its Afghan strategy taking into account increasing war weariness of the Western forces and President Karzai’s policy of reintegrating the ‘good Taliban’.

Arvind Gupta
February 01, 2010
IDSA Comments

A Year of Revival of Democracy in Bangladesh

To the credit of Shaikh Hasina she managed the foreign policy of Bangladesh as well as macro economic situation of the country well.

Anand Kumar
January 29, 2010
IDSA Comments

The Strange Ways of Indian Soft Power

The IPL decision not to choose Pakistani players proved a windfall for South Block, which had failed to convey India’s displeasure and unhappiness to the Pakistan government through the usual diplomatic channels.

Ramesh Phadke
January 29, 2010
IDSA Comments

Pakistan’s Double Standard on Kashmir makes Indo-Pak CBMs Counterproductive

The Indo-Pak peace conference concluded with a pledge to uphold democracy, but failed to demonstrate it by limiting its invitation only to representatives from the Kashmir valley and ignoring other stakeholders.

Senge H. Sering
January 28, 2010
IDSA Comments

Balochistan is no Bangladesh

Unless Baloch nationalists get their act together in pursuit of ‘achievable nationhood’, it will be only a matter of time before this latest upsurge in Balochistan will be brutally crushed.