Articles

Protests

Neighborhood News Digest – 01 June 2023

Afghanistan

How a Covert Relationship With the Taliban Backfired for US Ally Pakistan – Bloomberg

About two weeks after the Taliban retook Afghanistan in 2021, the then head of Pakistan’s spy agency arrived at one of Kabu....

June 01, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , Nepal , Protests , Maldives , Afghanistan , Bhutan , J&K , Japan , Imran Khan , Citizenship Amendment Bill , EU , North-East , UN , journalists , earthquake , India-Myanmar , China-Myanmar , India-Sri Lanka , PM Prachanda , Drug trade , Qatari PM , Chinese airports , Akhand Bharat , Energy sector , Negotiations Military courts , SIDS , US-Bangladesh , Bank Rate

Neighbourhood News Digest – 10 May 2023

Afghanistan

Barred from schools & universities, female students start own businesses in Afghanistan - ToI

Due to the Taliban-imposed ban on access to education for girls and women students in Afghanistan, some of them have lau....

May 10, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , India , Pakistan , Nepal , Protests , ASEAN , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Supreme Court , Pakistan Army , Saudi Arabia , Taliban , Imran Khan , Women , Pakistan Economy , Canada , Islamic law , Northeast , imports , India-Myanmar , Bangladesh-India , Chief Justice , Rawalpindi , Credit , Homosexuality , India apples , Bhutanese Refugee Scam , Internet Access , Maldives-Serbia , Broadcast , Sittwe Port , Cyclone

Sri Lanka's Local Government Elections marred by Uncertainty

Dr Anil Kumar Article

The Local Government (LG) elections in Sri Lanka have been postponed twice in the last one year. The election to choose new administrations for 340 local councils^[1] that serve f....

April 03, 2023 Neighbourhood Studies , Sri Lanka , Article , Protests , Sri Lanka , elections , IMF , Economic crisis , Local Government

Myanmar Round-Up: February 2023

01 February marked the completion of two years of military rule in Myanmar. Though as per the 2008 Constitution, the state of emergency was due to expire by the end of January, the National Defence and Security Council concluded that the country "has....

March 17, 2023 Protests , Refugee , sanctions , United Nations , Civil war , India in Myanmar , Myanmar Round Up , Military Coup , NUG , Amnesty International , Russia-Myanmar

Neighborhood News Digest – 28 February 2023

Afghanistan

Why India is cautiously engaging with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan -Scroll

In February, the Indian budget for 2023 allocated Rs 200 crore in aid to Afghanistan. It was an indication of how far India’s engagement....

February 28, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , India , Pakistan , China , Protests , economy , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Terrorism , Bhutan , India-Nepal , CPEC , Bangladesh , Amnesty , TTP , USDP , Argentina , China-Myanmar , Dual Citizenship , Political instability , Khalid Zia , UNP , Maldives-Singapore

Is Taming the Dragon Possible in Central Asia?

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

Background

Due to its proximity to China’s western region and abundant natural resources, the Central Asian region is crucial from a geopolitical perspective. With the demise of the Soviet Union, China established a significant political ....

February 28, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , Russia , SCO , Protests , Kazakhstan , Corruption , BRI , illegal immigrants , Debt Trap , Leasing Land , Ukraine Conflict , Anti-China Protests , Cultural Invasion

Review of Sri Lanka Crisis and the Way Forward

Dr Anil Kumar Article

Since its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka faced its worst economic crisis in the year 2022. Initially, in 2022, the country was facing Omicron, a variant of Covid19, followed by deep political and economic distress throughout the year. Economic distr....

February 15, 2023 Neighbourhood Studies , Sri Lanka , Article , India , China , Protests , economy , Indian Ocean Region , Sri Lanka , IMF , Debt

Neighborhood News Digest – 14 February 2023

Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Taliban forces raid IS hideout in Kabul - India Blooms

"The security forces attacked an important hideout of the IS in Kartai Naw locality of Police District 8 on Monday evening, killing several insu....

February 14, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , India , Russia , Protests , Sri Lanka , sanctions , Bangladesh , Taliban , Social Media , Tourism , IMF , Education , Environment , Monarchy , Nepal-India , Tamils , Pakistan-US , Visas to Afghan , Prabhakaran , India. Nepal Politics

Central Asia: A Look Back at 2022 and Projections for 2023

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Background

The year 2022 has been challenging for the Central Asian region. In addition to the widespread anti-government protests resulting from the tumultuous internal socio-economic and political environment, the external impact of the....

January 04, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Russia , SCO , Protests , Central Asia , elections , Turkey , EU , reforms , Railways , Connectivity , CSTO , Ukraine Crisis , Karakalpakstan , Consultative meetings

Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s Demise Reveals Extent of Discontent in China

Jayadeva Ranade Article

Recent events have confirmed the considerable subterranean discontent in China. The death of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who was handpicked by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to steer the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the country ....

December 22, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , Protests , CCP , Covid , Tiananmen Square , Jiang Zemin