By Namita Barthwal Since the 1960s, China and Pakistan have maintained a robust strategic partnership, underpinned by their geographic proximity and shared geopolitical objectives. The formal military cooperation between the two began in 1963 with the Sino-Pak Border Agreement, where Pakistan strategically transferred the Shaksgam Valley to China. During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, China decisively…
By-Ishini Shashipraba SAFN Researcher “Due to the strategic initiatives and measures implemented by the NPP thus far, the prospects of the party securing a majority in Parliament appear to be quite promising.” Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s victory in the Sri Lankan presidential election represents a significant turning point for the National People’s Power (NPP), providing an…
By Kasuni Ranasinghe, Associate Fellow SAFN “In the case of Sri Lanka, it is clear that its own extractive institutions, whichare deeply centralized power, corruption, and economic mismanagement have contributed to its current crisis.” The recent economic crisis in Sri Lanka has led to broader discussion about how politicalinstitutions have influenced the economic instabilities. Daron…
By Shagun Thapliyal, SAFN “First and Second Scenarios successfully materialised, with none of the candidates securing a majority vote in the initial round. It also accurately predicted the majority vote share being split between the NPP and SJB” The South Asia Foresight Network released a special report focusing on the latest Sri Lankan Presidential Elections…
Dr Dost Barrech and Joshua Bowes* “Given the rich history of China-Pakistan relations, it is imperative that the two ancient nations uplift one another, emboldening each other’s sovereignty in an effort to cultivate regional prosperity.“ Introduction In the 1990s in his book “Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of American Power” Joseph Nye first coined…
By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Executive Director SAFN “In Sri Lanka, the revolt was suppressed, delaying the reformist agenda through immediate democratic elections until September 21st, 2024. This suppression bears its own risks, as the anger it quells now may reemerge at the ballot box” In the turbulent landscapes of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the ideas of…
By Masom Jan Masomy & Shaukatullah Abid Pic: Wikimedia Commons Chabahar Port “Iran’s Chabahar port could connect Afghanistan through water with India for bilateral trade. Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan, should engage in multiple aspects with India and Iran” According to recent reports, Pakistan has increased tariff taxes on Afghan fruits from 15,000 to 60,000 PKR per ton, an…
By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera “Sri Lankan voters are yearning for a new beginning, and with Sajith Premadasa, that change feels within reach. His leadership presents the opportunity to break away from the past’s failures and set the country on a path toward stability and progress.” In the heart of Colombo, where history and politics converge, Sri…
By Lateef Johar Baloch & Joshua Bowes Introduction Balochistan is an understudied and underreported region of the world, caught in a violent inter-state conflict. The Baloch people, an ethnic group homing and tied culturally to Balochistan for centuries, have been a minority in Pakistan’s administrative boundaries since 1948. Neighboring Iran also has a province within the…
By Shagun Thapliyal “Myanmar is a crucial player for India, which acts as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia” When people talk about India’s relationship with its neighbours, we tend to forget about its South-East Asian Neighbour, Myanmar. It is an important country for India due to its role as a gateway towards the…
