In February 2018, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) set up the Pakistan Study Group (PSG) to discuss and debate issues relating to Pakistan in a holistic manner. Meeting almost every fortnight since its inception, the discussions have been forthright and candid as also enriching and valuable.
… there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women, no policy is more important in preventing conflict, or in achieving reconciliation after a conflict has ended .. international community must continue to provide the necessary funding and use its leverage to improve gender equality, women’s security, and their participation in public life. An isolated and neglected Afghanistan will only breed violent extremism, terrorism, and instability in the whole region …
… China considers areas such as the South China Sea, Taiwan and Tibet as its core interests .. for India Tibet is a core area .. Chinese intentions are unambiguous .. No amount of talks or confidence building measures will induce China into giving up its claims on Indian Territory. Make no mistake, China is an expansionist power .. India is not alone in facing China’s unethical threat to its territorial integrity ..
This book edited by Mandy Sadan, Reader of History of South East Asia at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, focuses on the ‘inter-war period’ (to borrow a terminology associated with conventional war), in that it studies the period of ceasefire between the Tatmadaw i.e. the Myanmar Army, and the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), from 1994 to 2011.
India's relations with its SAARC neighbours have, over the decades, oscillated from very good to stressed barring Pakistan and Bhutan. With the former they have generally been very bad and with the latter very good. With the rest, notably Afghanistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, they have seen many ups and downs.
A round table discussion (RTD) was held on 16th May 2019 at the VIF to discuss the recent terror attacks in Sri Lanka. The discussants included Major General Ashok Mehta, Dr Adil Rashid, Dr Smruti Pattanaik, Prof S D Muni, Dr Sreeradha Datta, Ambassador Anil Wadhwa and Professor Sujit Dutta. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF, opened the discussion by marking the recent terror attacks in Colombo on 21st April 2019, as the one of the worst and most significant attacks of the recent times.
A trilateral dialogue comprising of delegation from Bangladesh, Myanmar and VIF experts examined the possibilities of closer bilateral and regional ties through economic, strategic, cultural and maritime cooperation. Possibilities of strengthening regional collectiveness by creating an environment of cooperation, development and ‘single market’ zones, common border economic zones and communities was discussed. Ways to amicably resolve the Rohingya issue that was the cause of tension between and Bangladesh and Myanmar was also discussed.
A four member delegation from top think tanks of Myanmar discussed various issues under bilateral as well as regional ambit. Bilateral discussions ranged from social, economic and security issues, India’s ‘neighbours first’ policy, connectivity and development and Myanmar’s expectations of India’s support in greater developments in Myanmar and the Indo-Myanmar border regions. Ways for India to fulfil a greater role in regional development was also suggested.
A three member Bangladesh delegation led by former foreign secretary Chowdhury highlighted several of the positive developments along with the outstanding issues that remain between the two neighbours. Views on issues of connectivity corridors, economic growth zones, seamless trade and travel, BIMSTEC, borders, water, non-state actors, besides the regional issues including the role of China, Myanmar and other extra regional players were discussed.
A delegation of 17 young Members of Bangladesh Parliament interacted with the VIF faculty covering a wide gamut of bilateral issues. While acknowledging India’s interest in generation of many infrastructure development and small development projects, they suggested that India could continue to contribute to the growing economy of Bangladesh.