Bahrain Activist/WikimediaCommons Courtesy:
8 February 2013

India navigates the Arab Uprisings

The Arab uprisings show no sign of closure, and have become amorphous. While New Delhi has so far been immunised from the political and religious dimensions of the uprisings, the rise of political Islam, Islamic governance, and continuing instability will impact India.

Www.Oic-Oci.Org Courtesy:
23 January 2013

India and the OIC: To join or not to join?

India’s relations with Islamic nations, many of which are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have become even more prolific over the last decade. While India does not visualise becoming a member of a religious international body, many reasons militate against our formally joining the OIC.

mg marg sikkim Courtesy: Kukster/Flickr
22 January 2013

Growth, Gangtok style

‘Sikkimisation’ is a term often used by the Chinese and Nepalese politicians to refer to India's purported Himalayan expansionism. However, Sikkim's economy has set an example that India's Himalayan neighbours would do well to follow, rather than deride

WikimediaCommons Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
15 January 2013

India-Pakistan: No takers for a solution

Pakistan’s recent violation of the ceasefire, by killing two Indian soldiers and beheading one of them, has triggered knee-jerk reactions by the government and armed forces, media frenzy, and public outcry. What makes this 60-year old problem tough to resolve, and how can those obstacles be overcome?

AFSPA Sanjoy Hazarika Courtesy: lecercle/Flickr
9 January 2013

Time to repeal AFSPA?

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, introduced decades ago in India’s northeastern states and Kashmir to control militancy and turbulence, often has undemocratic side-effects. By the government’s own account, the situation in the northeast has improved. Why is the Act still in place, despite calls for a repeal?

john kerry seema piece Courtesy: Officer/WikimediaCommons
3 January 2013

John Kerry: To the job born

U.S. Senator John Kerry will officially take office as the Secretary of State, later this month, replacing Hillary Clinton. Given his background of foreign policy, and his proven competency in related matters, what can India and South Asia look forward to, during his term in his new office?

Courtesy: Nilanjana Roy/WikimediaCommons
1 January 2013

India’s Tunisia moment

India’s governance and newest social revolution, led by the country’s youth and middle class, is being watched by the world. But will the incumbent government be able to respond with emotion and convert the movement into tangible policies and institutionalise them? Manjeet Kripalani blogs