Courtesy: Election Commission of Pakistan
Pakistan’s Chief Election Commissioner, Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, faces a host of challenges as he oversees the transition of the country’s first civilian government to complete its full five-year term. Will he be able to overcome the hurdles and ensure the free and fair polls Pakistan has so far been deprived of?
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The Arab uprisings show no sign of closure, and have become amorphous. While New Delhi has so far been immunised from the political and religious dimensions of the uprisings, the rise of political Islam, Islamic governance, and continuing instability will impact India.
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India’s relations with Islamic nations, many of which are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have become even more prolific over the last decade. While India does not visualise becoming a member of a religious international body, many reasons militate against our formally joining the OIC.
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‘Sikkimisation’ is a term often used by the Chinese and Nepalese politicians to refer to India's purported Himalayan expansionism. However, Sikkim's economy has set an example that India's Himalayan neighbours would do well to follow, rather than deride
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Pakistan’s recent violation of the ceasefire, by killing two Indian soldiers and beheading one of them, has triggered knee-jerk reactions by the government and armed forces, media frenzy, and public outcry. What makes this 60-year old problem tough to resolve, and how can those obstacles be overcome?
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The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, introduced decades ago in India’s northeastern states and Kashmir to control militancy and turbulence, often has undemocratic side-effects. By the government’s own account, the situation in the northeast has improved. Why is the Act still in place, despite calls for a repeal?
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U.S. Senator John Kerry will officially take office as the Secretary of State, later this month, replacing Hillary Clinton. Given his background of foreign policy, and his proven competency in related matters, what can India and South Asia look forward to, during his term in his new office?
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Despite heavy opposition from several factions, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s propositions for altering the constitution have been approved. Although the alterations have democratic elements, the liberals and secularists bear responsibility in taking forward Egypt’s journey to complete democracy.
India’s governance and newest social revolution, led by the country’s youth and middle class, is being watched by the world. But will the incumbent government be able to respond with emotion and convert the movement into tangible policies and institutionalise them? Manjeet Kripalani blogs
Courtesy: Satish Padmanabhan/Outlook
Narendra Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat, returned to office for an unprecedented fourth term. With this victory, the fate of India’s two national political parties has changed, and the battles within and without will play out over next few months leading up to the national elections in 2014.