Articles in Courtesy: South Asia Monitor

Pakistan’s Double-Game Stands Exposed Again

Pakistan’s Double-Game Stands Exposed Again

By: Jai Kumar Verma | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 05 Jun , 2016

Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the Afghan Taliban chief who was killed in a drone attack on May 21 in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan was a hardliner and averse to the idea of any...

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Chabahar will provide a Strategic edge to India

Chabahar will provide a Strategic edge to India

By: Brig Anil Gupta | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 30 May , 2016

Chabahar is a deep-sea port located in Sistan-Baluchistan area of Iran at the mouth of Gulf of Oman. It is a strategically located port because it provides direct access to the Indian Ocean,...

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Despite setback, Taliban will force greater violence on Afghanistan

Despite setback, Taliban will force greater violence on Afghanistan

By: Chayanika Saxena | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 28 May , 2016

Taken down in a drone attack, the rehbar (leader) of Afghan Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mansour is reported to have been eliminated on the evening of May 21, 2016. Confirming his death, official...

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The Pakistan factor in India-Iran ties

The Pakistan factor in India-Iran ties

By: Monish Gulati | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 25 May , 2016

As Prime Minister Modi makes his first visit to Iran, numerous factors are at play ranging from the timing of the visit, which is taking place after his visit to Saudi Arabia and before an...

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China’s Maritime Grand Strategy: Stoking Insecurities with Aggressiveness

China’s Maritime Grand Strategy: Stoking Insecurities with Aggressiveness

By: Anubha Rastogi | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 23 May , 2016

According to Alfred Thayer Mahan, a 19th century American strategist, the concept of sea power was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide impact....

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The ever present Civil-Military acrimony in Pakistan

The ever present Civil-Military acrimony in Pakistan

By: Dr Sudhanshu Tripathi | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 19 May , 2016

It certainly looks clear that all is not going well in Pakistan between its civilian government and an all-time powerful army. With the recent Panama Paper leaks having landed the sons and...

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Kashmir on the edge: Peace is far from sight

Kashmir on the edge: Peace is far from sight

By: Gaurav Dixit | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 28 Apr , 2016

Four persons were killed and nine others were injured as personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police allegedly opened fired on the protesters in the Handwara town of...

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The IS challenge: Europe needs to get its act together

The IS challenge: Europe needs to get its act together

By: Jai Kumar Verma | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 26 Apr , 2016

Islamic State (IS) which has already overtaken Al-Qaeda is currently the most treacherous, wealthiest and better organized terrorist organization in the international arena. While the continuous...

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Thwarting the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism: India can lead the way

Thwarting the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism: India can lead the way

By: Lt Gen Kamal Davar (Retd) | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 09 Apr , 2016

‘Global challenges demand global solutions’ is an oft quoted truism, parroted by many global leaders, but on which there is hardly any display of concerted action. Be it the implementation of...

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China courts Myanmar: A 'strategic asset' in Beijing's Indian Ocean connectivity

China courts Myanmar: A 'strategic asset' in Beijing's Indian Ocean connectivity

By: Joshy M. Paul | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 05 Apr , 2016

China, of late, has been pitching to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through Myanmar. As an emerging maritime power in the Indo-Pacific, China is seeking a legitimate...

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Myanmar's Transition to Civilian Rule: A path full of Hurdles

Myanmar's Transition to Civilian Rule: A path full of Hurdles

By: Obja Borah Hazarika | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 23 Mar , 2016

The election of U Htin Kyaw as President is a watershed moment in Myanmar’s history. Htin Kyaw’s government would be Myanmar’s first democratic administration since 1962 when the military...

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How far will Pakistan use its Taliban Leverage?

How far will Pakistan use its Taliban Leverage?

By: Mahendra Ved | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 08 Mar , 2016

Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Affairs Advisor to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, has, for the first time by a top member of the establishment, acknowledged that Pakistan has influence over the Afghan Taliban...

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Pakistan is the real bully in the South Asian region

Pakistan is the real bully in the South Asian region

By: Sobdar Baloch | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 05 Mar , 2016

The retired Pakistani generals who frequently appear on TV talk shows have been misleading the public opinion by trying to shroud the negative role of Pakistan and highlight all that which they...

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International Fleet Review 2016: Foreign Policy by other means?

International Fleet Review 2016: Foreign Policy by other means?

By: Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd.) | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 04 Feb , 2016

India’s first citizen, President Pranab Mukherjee, will be accorded a rare honor by the Indian Navy (IN), on Saturday, February 6.  Embarked  on the, white-painted, Presidential Yacht,...

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Saudi-Iran conflict: India needs to safeguard its interests

Saudi-Iran conflict: India needs to safeguard its interests

By: Meenakshi Sood | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 03 Feb , 2016

The execution of Shia religious scholar Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia set in motion a series of unfortunate events that have the potential to deepen instability in the volatile Middle East, and...

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North Korea: A cancer in Asia that needs to be checked

North Korea: A cancer in Asia that needs to be checked

By: Aniket Bhavthankar | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 09 Jan , 2016

On January 6, 2016 seismometers across the world had measured a 5.1 Richter scale seismic event. Immediately after that North Korea claimed that it has successfully conducted its first Hydrogen...

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The forgotten war in Jammu and Kashmir

The forgotten war in Jammu and Kashmir

By: Praveen Davar | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 07 Jan , 2016

The 50th anniversary of the 1965 India-Pakistan war was observed in a befitting manner by the Indian defence forces this year. Five years from now it will be the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war...

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2016: Year of reckoning for Modi government

2016: Year of reckoning for Modi government

By: Lt Gen Kamal Davar (Retd) | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 04 Jan , 2016

Elected governments for the tall claims they make to their overly aspirational electorates are expected fulfill millions of promises. This natural yearning of the people in any vibrant democracy...

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India-Pakistan Relations: Modi diplomacy at its best

India-Pakistan Relations: Modi diplomacy at its best

By: Monish Gulati | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 27 Dec , 2015

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Lahore on Christmas Day for a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. He was received by Sharif with a warm hug on the tarmac of Allama...

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Maldives: Adopting the China model?

Maldives: Adopting the China model?

By: N Sathiya Moorthy | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 22 Dec , 2015

Brushing aside the domestic political opposition and international pressure, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen seems to have put development ahead of democracy in the long run-up to his bid for...

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