Dr. Nihar R. Nayak is Research Fellow with MP-IDSA, New Delhi. His areas of expertise are: political transition in the eastern Himalayan region, non-traditional security, soft power diplomacy, left wing extremism, and cooperative security in South Asia. Dr. Nayak has a Ph.D in International Politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He was Visiting Fellow to the Peace Research Institute Oslo in June 2006 and July 2007. He did a special course on Peace Research at the International Summer School of Oslo University in 2007. He has been Visiting Faculty at the Centre for the Study of Nepal, Faculty of Social Sciences, Banaras Hindu University since 2011. He was Guest Faculty at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie from 2006 to 2011. He has both national and international publications to his credit including the book Strategic Himalayas: Republican Nepal and External Powers.
Dr. Nayak’s current research project is “Impact of Climate Change in the Himalayan Region: Security Implications for India”.
India-Nepal border disputes: From history to the mystery
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s article on India Nepal border disputes, titled ‘India-Nepal border disputes: From history to the mystery’ has been published in India Vs Disinformation on May 26, 2020.
INDIA: Assessing Major Conflict Theatres Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Nihar R Nayak’s commentary on India's major conflict theatres, titled ‘INDIA: Assessing Major Conflict Theatres Amid COVID-19 Pandemic’ has been published in the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC) on May 21, 2020.
Climate Change and State Responses
The spectre of climate change and increased global warming has spurred more action in recent years. However, with the global economic outlook not likely to pick up any time soon, the temptation to opt for cheaper but dirtier fuels could further complicate the climate change negotiations.
COVID-19 and OPEC+ Deal
The prevailing environment has underlined the importance of a balanced market to the oil producers. India has been consistently reiterating the need for oil to be priced responsibly to ensure the stability of the oil market.
Pakistan and COVID-19 Pandemic: Is the Army Taking Advantage?
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s commentary on COVID-19 and Pakistan Army, titled ‘Pakistan and COVID-19 Pandemic: Is the Army Taking Advantage?’, has been published by the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC) on April 18, 2020.
NEPAL: New Left-Wing Extremism and Impending Threat
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s commentary on Nepal, titled ‘NEPAL: New Left-Wing Extremism and Impending Threat’ has been published by the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC) on March 20, 2020.
Nepal government’s decision to impose a ban on the Communist Party of Nepal led by Netra Bikram Chand alias Biplab, known as CPN (Chand), a renegade Maoist faction, completed one year on March 12, 2020. Will the movement replicate the 1996-People’s War? This is a question being debated widely in Nepal at the moment, writes Dr. Nayak.
Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine: Still Caught Between the Deep Sea and the Devil
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s commentary on Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine, titled ‘Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine: Still Caught Between the Deep Sea and the Devil’, has been published by the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC) on December 20, 2019.
There is still much confusion on whether they belong to Rakhine, Myanmar or Bangladesh, or are seen as terrorists or as refugees. Even interventions by India and China did not yield results, writes Dr. Nayak.
India-Bhutan Ties Set For Further Growth
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s commentary on Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo (Dr.) Tandi Dorji’s visit to India, titled ‘India-Bhutan Ties Set for Further Growth’ has been published by All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an external services division of AIR, on November 19, 2019.
The Bhutanese Minister’s week-long visit has set a new benchmark for the bilateral ties, writes Dr. Nayak.
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SRI LANKA: Presidential elections: Will minorities become kingmakers?
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s commentary on Sri Lanka’s eighth presidential elections, titled ‘SRI LANKA: Presidential elections: Will minorities become kingmakers?' has been published by Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC), New Delhi, on November 11, 2019.
As Sri Lanka is gearing towards the eighth presidential elections, national security, foreign policy and foreign investments in infrastructure projects and minority issues are once again dominating the political discourse in the country, writes Dr. Nayak.
Xi Jinping Ko Nepal Bhraman: Indo-Pacific Birudh Himali Niti
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s article on Chinese Premier Xi Jinping’s Nepal trip, titled ‘Xi Jinping Ko Nepal Bhraman: Indo-Pacific Birudh Himali Niti’ has been published by Nepal News on October 18, 2019.
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