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

Sino-Bhutan Boundary Negotiations: Complexities of the ‘Package Deal’

Bhutan and China have decided on a joint field survey to enable harmonising the reference points and names of the disputed areas.

Medha Bisht
January 19, 2010
IDSA Comments

The Cautious Handling of Secularism in Bangladesh

The landslide victory of Awami League in Bangladesh elections created hope of revival of the 1972 constitution of which secularism was an important element. The government of Shaikh Hasina is trying to deal with this issue in a cautious manner.

Anand Kumar
January 19, 2010
IDSA Comments

Bangladeshi Illegal Migration into Assam: Issues and Concerns from the Field

The issue of Bangladeshi illegal migration has troubled the state of Assam for decades now. Assamese political and social discourses fear that this unchecked migration from across the border will subvert their way of life and change the demographic profile of the state in the near future.

Namrata Goswami
January 14, 2010
Issue Brief

Maoists rhetoric on India-Nepal Relations

India should clarify through actions and words that it has no intention of interfering in Nepal, that it respects Nepal’s sovereignty and that it is ready to work with any dispensation in Nepal for furthering mutual security and economic concerns.

Nihar R. Nayak
January 13, 2010
IDSA Comments

Looking Ahead

If India indeed considers itself to be a rising power, it cannot remain a passive in the face of instability all around it.

Ramesh Phadke
January 12, 2010
IDSA Comments

Indo-Bangladesh Relations: An Enduring Partnership?

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is visiting India on January 10, 2009. Both India and Bangladesh are looking foward to resolving some of the key bilateral issues. In the light of the new political climate in Bangladesh ever since Sheikh Hasina returned to power, what are the options for India?

Sreeradha Datta
January 06, 2010
Issue Brief

Asif Zardari and the T.I.N.A. Factor

It would appear that for the moment at least the TINA factor operates in favour of the Zardari/Gilani combine especially if they continue to occupy their offices without wielding any real power.

Sushant Sareen
December 30, 2009
IDSA Comments

Pakistan ISI: The Patron and the Victim

That the ISI patron is now becoming the victim of jehadi terrorism does not bode well for Pakistan, which now has to recast the agency’s role and organizational ethos to contain the Taliban.

Harinder Singh
December 24, 2009
IDSA Comments

2011 and beyond: Visualising Af-Pak

Getting the hard core Taliban to concede the fight without loss of face is preferable to destroying them. The latter course is rendered risky by the linkages between the Afghan Taliban, Pakistani Taliban and Punjabi Taliban and their penetration of the Pakistani state and society.

Ali Ahmed
December 23, 2009
Issue Brief

Obama’s Afghan Strategy: Surge or Retreat?

Obama’s signal that the United States seeks to exit in 18 months will be viewed with scepticism by fence sitters in Afghanistan who will identify the victor as the one who endures.