Website articles  (4) Courtesy: Agence France-Presse
8 May 2025

Pakistan’s clash of ideology and identity

The on-going India-Pakistan tensions have obscured the grave issues Pakistan is facing on its western frontier with Afghanistan. The resurgence of Pashtun nationalism, the long-running Baloch insurgency and the growing resentment over Punjabi dominance is challenging Pakistan’s identity and ideology as protector of Islam. The Taliban under the Emir in Kandahar holds far greater moral authority than any general in Rawalpindi.

Website articles  (3) Courtesy: Agence France-Presse
8 May 2025

How China can assist Pakistan post Pahalgam

India-China relations, undergoing a thaw since October 2024, have been slow to mend. In this scenario it is worth examining what assistance China can give Pakistan in case of military action by India, post Pahalgam. The state of play on the India-China border will also have a major implication for this.

Pahalgam-attack-1024x679 Courtesy: Khyber News
24 April 2025

Post Pahalgam, India’s choices

The horrific attack on April 22 on tourists in Kashmir has exposed its stark and violent reality. Kashmir remains tumultuous even after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Before confronting Pakistan, India must first address its internal challenges and deliver on its election promises to achieve enduring progress.

Turkstreampipe Courtesy: President of Russia-Events website
30 January 2025

LNG: winners and victims

Europe has reduced its reliance on Russian gas following the war in Ukraine, and its chief supplier Russia is mired in western sanctions. What does it mean for Russia? It has certainly changed the fortunes for American gas to be sold to Europe: as of 2023, the US had become the world’s top exporter of gas.

bd energy Courtesy: Bloomberg
9 January 2025

Energy crisis in Bangladesh and way forward

Bangladesh faces an energy crisis due to increasing prices, depleting foreign exchange reserves and political instability. Amit Bhandari, Senior Fellow, Energy, Investment and Connectivity, Gateway House, speaks with Rayhan Rashid on an episode of the South Asia Democratic Forum’s podcast on challenges affecting Bangladesh’s energy sector and potential solutions such as diversification of energy sources, a shift toward low-carbon energy production, and regional integration.

Screenshot 2024-12-19 114823 Courtesy: Business Standard
19 December 2024

India’s oil strategy in the Trump era

The advent of the pro-oil Donald Trump in the U.S. and the strong pushback by developing countries to the unsatisfactory COP29 proposals, has opened opportunities for India in the energy sector. Instead of investing in overseas oil facilities, India will be better served as a financial investor in listed companies in large economies. This approach will help forge closer ties with strategic partners. 

1729876260-prez-rice Courtesy: Ada Derana
19 December 2024

Dissanayake’s rice test

Sri Lanka’s new President Dissanayake is facing his first big test – rising rice prices. High import tariffs and a powerful rice mafia given to hoarding of the staple, are compounded by other market distortions. Can he balance urban consumer demands with rural farmer interests? Either way, his options are limited.

Ge7F95paEAAUIbY Courtesy: X / MEAIndia
19 December 2024

India-Sri Lanka, friends in deed

The state visit of Sri Lanka’s new President Dissanayake to India, is welcome at many levels. His party’s majority win gives Sri Lanka the strength to undertake the hard reforms necessary to put the island back onto its higher economic status. India’s assistance has helped but there is more to be done to elevate the bilateral. For India which is now in a hostile neighbourhood, Sri Lanka can be a valuable friend.

maha cm Courtesy:
5 December 2024

Stepping on FDI pedal in Maharashtra

In its election manifesto for Maharashtra, the winning Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set a goal of transforming Maharashtra into a $1 trillion economy by 2028. To achieve this, the state will need to focus on increasing its share of Foreign Direct Investment which, although the biggest in the country, has stagnated over the past decade.