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

US War on Terror and Indian Security Interests

The most dangerous aspect of the war on terror from India’s security point of view has been the CIA’s monetary assistance to the ISI.

Anand Kumar
December 11, 2009
IDSA Comments

Bangladesh Cooperates on Terror: Can India translate it into Success?

It is true that any negotiation with the outfit in the absence of Paresh Barua is going to meet only with partial success, but if the government manages to mainstream Arabinda Rajkhowa, the support base of ULFA would further erode.

Anand Kumar
December 11, 2009
IDSA Comments

AfPak : Muddled Strategies and Expectations

Ideally, ISAF and NATO should concentrate on urban population centres along with the ANA, and the ANA should also deploy outside the towns and cities to dominate the hinterland and crack down on Taliban controlled areas.

Harinder Singh
December 11, 2009
IDSA Comments

An economically exhausted America is withdrawing from Afghanistan

The United States is facing serious economic problems, and Obama seems to have drawn the lesson that national security is not just about military strength but that it is equally about the economy, partnerships and diplomacy.

Arvind Gupta
December 08, 2009
IDSA Comments

The Political undoing of Zardari

The current change in the Chair of the NCA merely indicates the declining power of President Zardari and does not necessarily mean empowerment of the civilian government.

From FATA to South Punjab: The Looming Leap of Islamic Radicalism in Pakistan

A disturbing aspect of the current phase of Islamist militancy in Pakistan is that the terrorist acts outside FATA and NWFP are not being staged by ethnic Pashtun elements but by local Punjabi cohorts.

P. K. Upadhyay
November 30, 2009
IDSA Comments

No Quick Deliverance from Terrorism for Pakistan

Not only will Pakistan have to take on all sorts of Pakistani Taliban, it will also have to end the network of jihadists in provinces like Punjab and Sindh if it really wants to get rid of the Islamist menace.

Sushant Sareen
November 30, 2009
IDSA Comments

Another 26 / 11 Averted in Bangladesh

The coming to power of Sheikh Hasina and General Moeen’s determined efforts to transform the army into a fully professional force have weakened elements that support terrorism in Bangladesh.

Anand Kumar
November 27, 2009
IDSA Comments

Mujib Killing Case Judgement

The verdict will have a balming effect on all those who not only lost their families but also on those who felt betrayed by the subsequent turn of events in Bangladesh.

Sreeradha Datta
November 25, 2009
IDSA Comments

Crackdown on Northeast Insurgents: Dhaka Prepares for Hasina’s India Visit

New Delhi and Dhaka may have reached a tacit understanding that Northeast rebels based in Bangladesh will be simply picked up and handed over to India.