Bangladesh’s Tahrir Moment

The Bangladesh experiment with democracy has added to this unwitting rise of fundamental Islam. Both the leading political parties are unable to win election on their own and need support of various coalition partners who are largely fundamental Islamists. The system thus provides ideal fodder for al Qaeda to spread its wings in the region.

Coups in South Asia : Strategic Underpinnings

In Maldives other games may be afoot. China, which has opened a diplomatic office in Male, the fifth country to do so, may be strategically inclined to support the regime change. Its plans to open a billion dollar casino and resort were held back by the Nasheed government. While the casino may be a ploy to increase Chinese footprint in Maldives the ultimate Chinese interest would be to exploit the strategic location of Maldives for its Navy.

Bangladesh: 40 Years of Liberation

As Bangladesh celebrates its 40th Victory Day today, voices in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are debating the gains made by the country in these 40 years and whether it was all worth it.

Bangladesh – The Missed Corridor

The September visit of Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh to Bangladesh seemed to have received low approval ratings from both sides of the borders as also regionally. The Teesta accord apart, the visit fell short on being choreographed as a “historic” visit. As the events unfolded, apart from the border agreement, rest of the arrangements [...]

Indo Bangladesh Relations – People Are the Key

India and Bangladesh have covered a lot of ground in this one year of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister despite Hasina cozying upto China as articulated in an earlier post, Bangladesh Calling China. Despite this post, the two countries have made significant progress in bilateral relations through a range of  initiatives as articulated below. [...]