South Asia

About Centre

South Asia is one of the main areas of research focus at MP-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 MP-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

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.

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

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

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.