In a Pashtu-language book, the Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP) sheds light on the 1992 destruction by extremist Hindus of the 16th-century Babri Mosque in the Indian town of Ayodhya. The book discusses the destruction of the mosque and the Afghan Taliban’s diplomatic relations with the rightwing Hindu government in India.[1] The 17-page booklet, titled “Ram Temple Or Babri Mosque,” […]

A delegation of the Taliban movement has been invited to participate in the “Russia – Islamic World: Kazan Forum,” scheduled for May 14-19, 2024. On April 1, 2024, Zamir Kabulov, the Special Presidential Representative for Afghanistan and Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Second Asia Department, disclosed the Taliban invitation, according to Russia’s state media, TASS.[1] The Taliban have been on […]

Why the West Won’t Be Able to Drive a Wedge Between Russia and China Just a decade ago, most U.S. and European officials were dismissive about the durability of the emerging partnership between China and Russia. The thinking in Western capitals was that the Kremlin’s ostentatious rapprochement with China since 2014 was doomed to fail because ties between the two […]

CPEC is a ray of hope for the people of Pakistan who have fought back militancy and are still fighting. The first 10 years of CPEC has led to an investment of US$ 26 billion in Pakistan. 8,000 megawatts of electricity have been generated, and 510 kilometres of roads, and highways are constructed. Due to the economic activities, 236,000 jobs […]

The relationship between the European Union (EU) and China has long been characterized by a complex interdependence marked by both cooperation and competition. Trade has played a central role, with China becoming the EU’s largest trading partner in goods and a significant recipient of foreign direct investment. However, recent years have witnessed a growing strain in this relationship, owing to […]

On April 2, 2024, the Government extended the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the whole State of Manipur, except for 19 Police stations, for another six months with effect from April 1, 2024. The areas under the Police Stations excluded from AFSPA are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Irilbung, […]

On April 6, 2024, three Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were killed during an exchange of fire with Security Forces (SFs) in the Karriguta Forests of Pujari Kanker in the Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered one AK47 rifle, one Light Machine Gun (LMG) and explosives from the encounter spot. The identities of the slain Maoists are yet to […]

Relations with its strategic partner, the US, are under strain. And the neighbouring countries, always wary of India, are likely to feel apprehensive about the fate of agreements signed with India after Modi reopened the Katchatheevu issue. In the last five years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regime, incongruities have crept into India’s international relations. On the credit side, there […]

Among the world’s major powers, India perhaps is the least worried about the presidential rematch in the United States (US) between incumbent Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump. With Biden and Trump having won sufficient delegates to win the presidential nomination of their respective parties, the world’s chancelleries and corporations are focused on the global political and economic impact […]

A child born in Kerala in India’s south has a better chance of surviving to age five than in the US. In Uttar Pradesh in the north, the odds are worse than in Afghanistan. As India goes to polls in a couple of weeks to elect its next government, pundits’ focus will be on the Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra […]