By Josh Bowes – Research Assistant SAFN With a new Maldivian president to be sworn in next month, the island nation will see a significant geopolitical tilt that is likely to ensnare the whole South Asian region in a vicious eye for power between nations. President-elect Mohamed Muizzu’s recent ‘India-Out’ campaign has driven a wedge between…
By Shreya Krishna – Research Assistant SAFN* India celebrated its 76th year of independence in August 2023. From 1947 to 2023, India’s foreign policy decisions and tactics have shifted. In Aparna Pande’s From Chanakya to Modi: The Evolution of India’s’ Foreign Policy, she discusses how Indian exceptionalism and its historic strategy of autonomy have guided its…
By Rathindra Kuruwita – Associate Fellow SAFN Several Sri Lankan civil society organizations, led by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), published a Governance Diagnostic Report on Sri Lanka on September 13 in Colombo. This document is publicized at a time when there is a great demand on Sri Lankan government to tackle bribery and corruption in the country,…
By Josh Bowes – Research Assistant SAFN Pic: WikiCommons – Public demonstration calling for Sharia Islamic Law in Maldives Extremism in the Maldives is not a new phenomenon. The South Asian country has long experienced Islamist terrorist activity that has been utilized for political gain in an effort to weaken democratic principles and freedom of expression. Opposition…
By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Executive Director SAFN Pic: June 27, 2023, “The Future of the Belt and Road Initiative” at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, in north China’s Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Washington, DC – Is China a developed nation? Or is China still developing? China will always…
By Rathindra Kuruwita – Associate Fellow SAFN On late March 2022, several hundred people, fueled by anger over a worsening economic crisis, attempted to storm then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence. A few weeks later, protestors gathered at the Galle Face Green and made camp, demanding the resignation of Rajapaksa and an end to the political system that…
By Saroj Deo, Research Associate SAFN During former PM KP Oli’s tenure, the relations between Nepal and India were low due to different reasons, particularly border and blockage issues. It was a great opportunity for Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to improve bilateral relations. His visit showed some positive vibes although it was not…
By Masom Jan Masomy, Research Fellow SAFN 21st June 2023 On June 5, 2023, the United Nations celebrated World Environmental Day with the trend #BeatPlasticPollution to create a clean and healthy environment. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) also promoted the same trend through its social media pages in Afghanistan to raise attention to plastic pollution…
By Prof Swaran Singh – Director SAFN June 7th, 2023 Pakistan’s unfolding political drama has taken the focus off its piecemeal economic collapse in the making and the resultant social turmoil and plight of its citizens. For the region and Pakistan watchers around the world, it has eclipsed all other issues including the Ukraine war….
By Rathindra Kuruwita – Associate Fellow SAFN 5th June 2023 Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Japan, almost immediately after the G7 meeting ended, in a bid to rebuild Sri Lanka’s relationship with Japan, which had soured in the last few years due to the sudden cancellation of projects, and to seek Japanese assistance in…
