Courtesy: Sudath Silva/Flickr
After losing power in January, Mahinda Rajapaksa, former president of Sri Lanka, is trying to re-enter politics by contesting for the prime minister’s seat in the elections on August 17. If he wins, it could destabilise Sri Lanka’s politics and impact relations with India, which had been hit under Rajapaksa’s rule. The future scenario will become clearer by next week.
Courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The story of Darah Shikoh, heir-apparent to the Mughal throne in the mid-17th century , enacted by the National Theatre in London, offers insights on how to get beyond the increasingly polarising global discourse on faith, reason and Islam
Courtesy: Wikipedia.org
Incumbent Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa lost to his opponent Maithripala Sirisena in the recent elections. The reasons have been attributed to nepotism and dwindling support from the Sinhala community. With considerable challenges awaiting the new government, it would be wise to not rule out a return of Mahinda
Courtesy: Synthesio.com
Many Arab Republics are mired in political discord after the departure of the old tyrannical regimes opened up spaces for new struggles. In Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan, attempts to address the turmoil through constitutional reform are facing challenges. Will a democratic federalism be attained when the battles are done?
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit all the right notes in his landmark visit to Nepal this week. Modi’s announcement of hydropower being a key area of synergy in the bilateral will help India solve its electricity shortage and also provide the country a renewable energy import from a friendly neighbour
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The rising number of anti-Muslim attacks in Sri Lanka has grave security implications for South Asia, including India. The Mahinda Rajapaksa government must take steps to address the situation immediately, even if it comes at the cost of losing votes
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India abstained from voting on the recent UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka calling for an international probe into the alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan government. Sri Lanka has the option of rejecting the resolution, but it will have to evolve a strategy keeping in mind India’s concerns
The Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, an Afghan youth group, say Afghanistan must be self-reliant and not look to foreign powers for aid to rebuild their country. Gateway House’s Rajni Bakshi speaks to the group to find out about their vision for Afghanistan
Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen’s visit to India this week aims to repair ties, strained after the Maldives terminated a $500 million contract to the Bangalore-based infrastructure company, GMR. Yameen’s conciliatory stand stems from the need for international help, including India’s, to fix an economy in decline
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Come January, Bangladesh will elect its next prime minister. Although it has emerged as a significant player in the region, India and the U.S. are yet to develop a synergy in their policies towards this important nation – even as the deeper struggle for influence and resources in Asia continues
