Comments

Pakistan-USA
Bridging Rivals, Managing Risks: Will Pakistan’s Quiet Strategic Recalibration Work?


Syed Eesar Mehdi

Pakistan’s offer to assist the US in recovering abandoned Afghan weapons signals strategic pragmatism, diplomatic repositioning, and a desire for relevance—yet its security gains remain limited without repairing ties with India.

PoK
‘Self-Determination’ as Empty Rhetoric: How Islamabad Undermines Self‑Rule in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir


Idress Aftab

Pakistan’s celebration of “self-determination” masks a deeper reality of disenfranchisement and control in both parts of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir—the so-called Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan. When judged by quality of life, representation, and rights, the narrative falls apart.

Iran
How a Potential Regime Change in Iran might affect Gilgit-Baltistan


Senge Sering

Potential regime change in Iran could reshape Gilgit‑Baltistan, weakening Shia networks, disrupting China–Pakistan strategies under CPEC, and intensifying regional contestation between Western influence, local identity, and strategic resource exploitation.

Pakistan
The NA-130 Verdict and the Rigged Reality of the Pakistani State


Mohammed Shoaib Raza

The NA 130 verdict exemplifies Pakistan’s hybrid system, where elections, courts, and constitutional amendments serve elite management. Imran Khan’s confinement underscores military dominance over civilian politics and managed democracy.

Issue Briefs

Bangladesh
Fall of Hasina and Political Transition in Bangladesh: What has Happened and Why?


Ankita Sanyal

This Issue Brief seeks to analyse the events leading to the ouster of Hasina from power, identify the issues that brought about her fall, and the stakes for India in the evolving situation on Bangladesh.

Pakistan Flag
Pakistan’s UPR National Report: Hides more Than it Reveals


Zaheena Naqvi

Months after its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report on the human rights condition in the country was approved by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during its 53rd Session on 30 October 2023, Pakistan continues to violate most of the agreed recommendations to alleviate the concerns of all the stakeholders and improve the rights situation in the country.

Chahbar Port
The Chabahar Port and India-Iran Agreement


Ashish Shukla

On 13 May 2024, India and Iran signed a 10-year long-term contract for operation of Shahid Behesti terminal at the Chabahar port in Iran, eight years after concluding the general framework of cooperation on the Chabahar port. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in May 2015 for the development of this port by India and on 23 May 2016, the contract was executed during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran.