South Asia

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Gotabaya Rajapaksa all set to become next Sri Lankan president

Gotabaya Rajapaksa is all set to become the next Sri Lankan president Syllabus subtopic: India and its neighbourhood-relations News: Sri Lanka People’s Front party presidential election candidate and former wartime defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is all set to become president of the island nation after his main rival conceded defeat on Sunday. Prelims and Mains focus India-Sri Lanka relations, Context: Gotabaya’s election heralds the return of the

Bhutan ends free entry for Indian tourists

Bhutan ends free entry for Indian tourists Syllabus subtopic: India and its Neighborhood- Relations. Prelims and Mains focus: on the move of Bhutan’s govt and its implications on Bhutan-India relations; News: The National Assembly of Bhutan has passed legislation named ‘Tourism Levy and Exemption Bill of Bhutan’, 2020. What is it about? Ending decades of free entry to Indian tourists visiting Bhutan, the government in Thimphu has decided t

India to attend signing of US-Taliban peace deal

India to attend the signing of US-Taliban peace deal Syllabus subtopic: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests Prelims and Mains focus: about US-Taliban peace deal; its significance for India News: In its first step towards engaging with the Taliban, India has decided to send its envoy to the signing of the peace pact between the US and Taliban in Doha. Background On February 21, US Secretary o

Common Electricity Market for India’s neighbourhood

Common Electricity Market for India’s neighbourhood Syllabus subtopic: India and its Neighborhood- Relations. Prelims and Mains focus: about the move and its significance News: The Union government plans to set up a regional grid that will be leveraged to create a common electricity market for nations in India’s neighbourhood, according to the power and new and renewable energy minister. About the move The proposed market, which will include Myanmar, Sri L

A task for South Asia

A task for South Asia Introduction South Asia, one of the world’s most populous regions, is also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Karachi and Mumbai, among the world’s most densely populated cities, where we live and work, are being overwhelmed by cases. The collateral damage of the lockdown is taking its own toll. The common features which impact the health of its people, some of them a result of our shared cultural and geopolitical history. The collective ex

Pandemics without borders, South Asia’s evolution

Pandemics without borders, South Asia’s evolution Kanak Mani Dixit, a writer and journalist based in Kathmandu, is the founding Editor of the magazine, Himal Southasian Introduction Even if the COVID-19 pandemic spares South Asia the worst impact it has reserved thus far for the northern latitudes, it is certain that this region of nearly a fourth of the global population will be wounded gravely — economically, and as the process unfolds, socio-politically. Holding the l

For a reset in India-Nepal relations

For a reset in India-Nepal relations By, Rakesh Sood is a former diplomat and currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation Introduction Once again, relations between India and Nepal have taken a turn for the worse. The immediate provocation is the long-standing territorial issue surrounding Kalapani, a patch of land near the India-Nepal border, close to the Lipulekh Pass on the India-China border, which is one of the approved points for border trade and the route

Building trust: On India-Pakistan ties

Building trust: On India-Pakistan ties Context The shelling and the retaliations along the Line of Control with Pakistan are a matter of consternation because it has been allowed to go on for so long as to become an everyday occurrence. Shelling amidst the Pandemic # The unfortunate death of Sepoy Lungabui Abonmli, and the airlifting of two other soldiers, Lienkhothien Senghon and Sepoy Tangsoik Kwianiungar, to the Command Hospital in Udhampur because of injuries due to shelling in

India and Bhutan - Kholongchhu Hydropower Project

India and Bhutan - Kholongchhu Hydropower Project Part of: GS-II- India and South Asia (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) Recently, India and Bhutan have signed concession agreement on the 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydropower Project. It will be the first-ever Joint Venture (JV) project between India and Bhutan. The JV partners are Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), and the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) from India and Bhutan respectively. points

Geopolitics of South Asia

Geopolitics of South Asia China has held its third multilateral dialogue with countries from South Asia to take forward closer cooperation on fighting COVID-19 and coordinating their economic agendas, reflecting a new approach in Beijing’s outreach to the region. The third dialogue, held virtually on January 6, brought together every country in the region barring India, Bhutan and the Maldives, and was aimed at “anti-epidemic cooperation and poverty reduction cooperation&rdqu

Power trade in South Asia

Power trade in South Asia New rules governing electricity across borders India has released new rules governing the trade of electricity across its borders. They define the contours of the South Asian electricity market, placing clear limits on who can buy from and sell into India. This has ramifications for the electricity markets of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, which, to varying degrees, have aligned their energy futures with the Indian market. Reason for the rules

Heart of Asia Peace Conference

Heart of Asia Peace Conference India’s Foreign Minister is attending the 9th ministerial conference of the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. About Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process: It is a regional initiative of Afghanistan and the Republic of Turkey. It was launched in November 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. The process aims to promote economic and political cooperation for Afghanistan's peace through dialogue and confidence-building

India-Bangladesh ties in 21st century

India-Bangladesh ties in the 21st century Introduction The friendship between India and Bangladesh is historic which is now 50 years. India’s political, diplomatic, military and humanitarian support during Bangladesh’s Liberation War played an important role in Bangladesh’s independence. Nearly 3,900 Indian soldiers gave up their lives and an estimated 10 million Bangladeshi refugees took shelter in India. Background of India- Bangladesh relations Post-

India’s South Asian opportunity

India’s South Asian opportunity The realisation to India-Pakistan animosity The statement issued by the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan, in late February, that they agree to strictly observe all agreements between the two countries, coincided with a statement made by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Colombo that “our only dispute is Kashmir and it can only be resolved through dialogue.” This was later strongly endorsed by Pakista

Colombo Security Conclave

Recently, India’s National Security Adviser (NSA), took part in the 6th NSA meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) which agreed upon a road map for the year 2024. What is Colombo Security Conclave? It is a regional security grouping initially known as the Trilateral for Maritime Security Cooperation. Established in – 2011 Aim – To promote a safe, secure, and stable Indian Ocean, with India playing a leadership role. Membership&nbs