Vishal Chandra

Need to Take a More Confident View of Kabul

Fears about the Beijing-Rawalpindi axis scripting Kabul politics and thereby causing the complete marginalisation of New Delhi in the region appear far-fetched given the political dynamics of Afghanistan.

Vishal Chandra |
April 28, 2015 |
IDSA Comments

The Unfinished War in Afghanistan: 2001-2014

Publisher: Pentagon Press

This book makes a modest attempt to contribute to the ongoing debate on future challenges for Afghanistan as the largest ever coalition of Western forces prepares to withdraw. It seeks to examine key political developments within Afghanistan over the last one decade in response to the US-led Western military and political intervention.

ISBN 978-81-8274-762-3,
Price: ₹ 1495/-
E-copy available

Vishal Chandra |
2014 |
Book

Total Recount in Afghanistan: What Next?

As all the votes cast in the run-off election are audited and recounted under international supervision, the final outcome could be a close finish with winning candidate leading by a much narrow margin. The process of constitutional amendment can only be initiated after the new parliament is formed as parliamentary elections are due in 2015.

Vishal Chandra |
July 26, 2014 |
Issue Brief

For Now, it is Ballot over Bullet in Afghanistan

It is not merely about change in leadership; it is about ushering the country into a ‘decade of transformation’. The most immediate challenge before the incumbent government and the relevant election and security institutions is to sustain and strengthen the people’s engagement in the process.

Vishal Chandra |
April 18, 2014 |
IDSA Comments

India’s Neighbourhood: The Armies of South Asia

Publisher: Pentagon Press

This book is an attempt to examine the role, relevance and status of the armies in the ever dynamic socio-political milieu of the countries in India’s South Asian neighbourhood. The book deals with the national armies of seven South Asian countries bordering India, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The contributors to the volume also trace out the likely trajectory of the future role and position of the armies in the given or evolving national and geo-political settings.

ISBN 978-81-8274-706-0,
Price: ₹ 795/-
E-copy available

Vishal Chandra |
2013 |
Book

Post-2014 Afghanistan and India’s Options

India’s policy in Afghanistan must be Afghan-centric and not be concerned about Pakistani efforts to gain strategic depth. In fact, by getting involved in Afghanistan, Pakistan is likely to endanger its own security and stability.

Smruti S. Pattanaik, Arvind Gupta, Ashok K. Behuria, Vishal Chandra |
July 18, 2012 |
Policy Brief

Fantasising ‘Afghan Good Enough’

Where does Pakistan figure in ‘Afghan good enough’ if Pakistan’s centrality in the Western approach is taken into account? Not working towards a ‘Pakistan good enough’ would simply mean that ‘Afghan good enough’ is not ‘good enough’.

Vishal Chandra |
June 22, 2012 |
IDSA Comments

Will Karzai Survive 2014?

In times of back door diplomacy and brokerage of deals, Karzai’s political skill and experience in balancing the divergent interests of various stakeholders may assure him a role in fashioning Afghanistan’s new political arrangement.

Vishal Chandra |
May 22, 2012 |
IDSA Comments

The Battle for Kabul has Begun

The planned Western draw down over the next two years is threatening to once again plunge Afghanistan into greater chaos and anarchy, with Kabul as the centre stage.

Vishal Chandra |
April 18, 2012 |
IDSA Comments

The Bonn II Conference on Afghanistan: A Step Forward Amidst Uncertainty

Bonn II made it somewhat clear that there is at least an evolving discourse and a fleeting sense of realisation in Western capitals that Afghanistan cannot simply be abandoned once again.