Major International Groupings of South East Asia

South East Asia is divided into two broad parts viz. Maritime South East Asia and Mainland South East Asia. Maritime South East Asia comprises Indonesia, parts of Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, East Timor, Brunei, Cocos Islands and Christmas Island. Mainland South ..

India-Maldives Relations

Relations between India and Maldives have been traditionally close and friendly and India has contributed to security, economy and democracy of the Island nation. The two countries had defined their maritime boundary in 1976. They signed a comprehensive trade agreement ..

Recent Political Developments in Maldives

Maldives’ transition to democracy started in 2008 when after 30 year of autocratic rule, President Gayoom promulgated a new constitution, paving the way for first multiparty election in the island country. The new constitution introduced some institutional and legislative reforms ..

India’s Afghanistan Policy

The key elements of India’s Afghanistan policy include – friendly relations with afghan factions, tacit support for anti-Taliban forces, more focus on economic engagement than military engagement, humanitarian and development assistance, support to presence of western powers etc. Background India ..

Strategic Importance of Afghanistan

Being a landlocked country, Afghanistan was a key focal point in ancient Silk Road. Its strategic importance can be understood by the following: Pipeline Routes The country is located strategically adjacent to the oil and gas rich Middle East & ..

Myanmar Others

Trade and Commerce Myanmar provides India with a corridor to South East Asia. But, India Myanmar engagement so far has been based on strategic and security considerations between the two countries. Unlike its other neighbours India doesn’t have proper banking ..

Regional Competition and Cooperation in Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean, the third largest body of water on earth, has been an area of competition between India and China as well as other powers. Importance of Indian Ocean Indian Ocean provides critical sea trade routes that connect the Middle ..

Uyghur Issue and Recent Visa Controversy

Uighur / Uyghur are a Turkic ethnic group who live in Eastern and Central Asia. Nowadays, Uyghurs are concentrated in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, where they are officially recognized as an ethnic minority. The first use of ..