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Moidams: The Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty
Saudiptendu Ray, Research Associate, VIF Commentary

In Upper Assam’s Charaideo district on the foothills of the Patkai Ranges, amidst the vast expanse of greenery, one can find a place where the holy spirits reside, the Moidams. There are around 90 big and small dome-shaped earthen mounds in Charaid....

August 14, 2024 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Commentary , Assam , conservation , UNESCO World Heritage site , Archaeological Survey of India , Sukaphaa , Buranji , Moidams , Ahom Dynasty , Charaideo , Me-Dam-Me-Phi
Unstable Bangladesh: Bad News for India
Lt Gen Kamal Davar, PVSM, AVSM (Retd) Commentary

After the momentous and historical day of 16 December 1971 when India freed East Pakistan from the inhuman clutches of Pakistan leading to the birth of Bangladesh, no other day in the history of Bangladesh has, so far, assumed such importance - albei....

August 12, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Bangladesh , Commentary , Bangladesh , Sheikh Hasina , Dhaka , BNP , Bangladesh Army
Assassination of Hamas Leader Haniyeh in Tehran
Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

Since the missile exchange between Israel and Iran in April last, the tensions in the region had subsided though the war in Gaza was simmering. There was some hope that Israel and Hamas were nearing a deal on hostage release and ceasefire. The target....

August 09, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , Israel , Iran , Gaza , UN , Hezbollah , Hamas , Haniyeh , Palestine authority
Presidential Elections in Venezuela: Yet Another Fraud upon Democracy
Amb JK Tripathi Commentary

The 28th July witnessed another presidential election marred by the allegations of large- scale fraud in Venezuela. Contrary to the predictions before the counting was over, the incumbent president from PSUV (the United Socialist Party of Venezuela) ....

August 06, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , USA , Presidential elections , Oil , Venezuela , Maduro , Chavez , Gonzalez , ONGC Videsh
Dazzling Architecture of Our Temples
Rajesh Singh Commentary

Not many of us who periodically visit important temples in the country and pay our obeisance to the gods and goddesses consecrated there, bother to understand the architecture of those temples. If we were to do so, we would be left dazzled by the var....

August 05, 2024 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Commentary , Nagara , Khajuraho , Gopuram , Chola , Kakatiya , Pandya , Chera , Rashtrakuta , Kadamba , Pallava , Kedarnath , Katyuri , King Bhudeva
The Persistent Struggle for Land Rights in Pakistan-Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan: Battling the Menace of the Land Mafia
Neelapu Shanti Commentary

Nestled amidst the towering peaks and serene valleys of Pakistan-Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), a stark narrative unfolds—a tale of communities battling against the relentless manoeuvres of the land mafia. This strife, anchored in the pursuit of....

July 26, 2024 National Security and Strategic Studies , Commentary , Pakistan , China , Protests , CPEC , Gilgit Baltistan , land rights
Changing Colours of Nepal’s Governance
Rajesh Singh Commentary

Nepal has had more than a dozen governments since the monarchy was formally abolished in that country in 2008. Prime Ministers have come and gone before they had the time to settle down or had enough time to leave behind far-reaching impacts for the ....

July 22, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Nepal , Commentary , Oli , Prachanda , Sher Bahadur Deuba , CPN , Mohan Baidya , Mohan Bikram Singh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Visit to Moscow Sets an Example of Relations Between Great Powers
Timofei Bordachev Commentary

Relations between Russia and India are exemplary from Moscow’s perspective, as they demonstrate how powers should interact amid the changing international order. First, their relationship is grounded in the responsibility which governments have to ....

July 18, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Russia , Commentary , INSTC , trade , Moscow , Modi Visit , India Russia Summit
Political Instability Resurfaces Again in Nepal
Dr Rishi Gupta Commentary

Nepal, nestled between the two biggest Asian economies—India and China—is again witnessing political uncertainties. The ruling Left Alliance is on the brink of collapse following the withdrawal of support from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unifie....

July 10, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Nepal , Commentary , India , China , Nepal , Nepali Congress , KP Oli , Nepal Communist Party , Maoist Centre , Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'
New Dynamics in Nepal-India Relations
Prof Hari Bansh Jha Commentary

Nepal-India relations are as old as the history of human civilization. No two countries of the world are as much tied together through the bonds of geography, culture, social, economic, religion, and language as these two countries. Because of these ....

July 08, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Nepal , Commentary , India , Nepal , border issue , hydropower trade , Pancheshwar project , Treaty of Sugauli
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