In Myanmar, the ruling military authorities, namely, the State Administration Council, projected the 2026 elections  as a move toward political normalisation. In reality, the polls occurred during a worsening civil war, forced migration and severe political repression. Massive chunks of the country’s territory remained beyond effective control of the state (the Tatmadaw), major opposition forces had refused to participate, and millions were deprived of their vote by insecurit

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s sweeping electoral victory has inevitably triggered a familiar question in New Delhi’s strategic circles: what does a BNP-led Dhaka mean for India? Illustration by The Geostrata The concern is not hollow , as memories of strained ties during the earlier BNP rule remain fresh in the minds of experts and people alike. But geopolitics rarely allows countries the luxury of nostalgia. Today’s world, where alliances are changing at an unpreceden

“Our lives don’t matter,” a Hindu farmer said in a reported account. "The situation is horrific," added a Hindu community leader, "we are not receiving any support from anywhere." Innumerable testimonies  like these, along with chilling images that surfaced across Bangladesh of Hindu men beaten and set on fire by rabid mobs, have laid bare how a brutal, systematic persecution  of religious minorities  is taking place under the country’s current political dispensation.  Illust

For India, Bangladesh has never been just another neighbour. Geography would have made that impossible, but history sealed it. The two countries share memories of 1971, which still shape political instincts on both sides, and there are dense economic and social ties; this means that developments in Bangladesh are seldom distant events for New Delhi. Illustration by The Geostrata They are experienced, discussed, and in many cases privately fretted about. For most of the last d

South Asia is characterized by a geopolitically volatile environment within contemporary global power dynamics. Once viewed as an arena where India’s influence was unquestionable, it is now marked by political uncertainty, regime shifts, never-ending hostilities, security tensions, and competitiveness, along with external influence, particularly China. Collectively, these developments have changed the landscape of South Asia into a contested domain rather than a collaborative

July 2024 marked the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s unshakable regime, but also the beginning of a recalibration that is still unfolding. Illustration by The Geostrata Following the exit of Hasina, who was regarded as the architect of Bangladesh’s non-aligned foreign policy, what appears to be unfolding is a deliberate shift from a peripheral focus to a more region-centric posture of Dhaka's foreign policy. From allowing a Chinese-funded port project near St. Martin’s Island  to

Secession, the separation of a territory from an established state, is one of the most disruptive moments in international politics. If accompanied by conflict, the relations between the two sides are unsurprisingly complex and turbulent. The new country attempts to define itself in opposition to the state from which it broke away. While the parent state, as the original state is called, may harbour feelings of resentment and humiliation. Illustration by The Geostrata When co

Migration and asylum have significantly influenced India's history, shaping its demographic and socio-political landscape. India’s approach, as a nation that has witnessed some of the largest migrations in history, has been shaped by a complex interaction of historical legacies, security imperatives, and humanitarian commitments. Illustration by The Geostrata India has traditionally adopted a pragmatic approach, providing refuge to persecuted groups like Tibetans and Sri Lank

India has a unique neighbourhood, with terrorism spilling over borders, political unrest shaking its periphery, and instability brewing...

The bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh goes back to the geographical and historical roots. Such relations are supposed...

Climate change is reshaping lives across South Asia, and women are bearing the brunt of its harshest impacts. From rising sea levels in Bangladesh to forced migration and trafficking in West Bengal, this article uncovers how climate disasters deepen gender inequalities. With case studies and policy insights, it calls for gender-responsive climate strategies and greater female participation in environmental decision-making.

The history of insurgency in India's Northeast was not only mired in its history and culture of vivid tribes but also had political...

On March 24, 2020, India closed its borders, and imposed a nationwide lockdown in the country, believing that restricting human contact...

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ recent visit to China and public statements reflect Bangladesh's strategic positioning in...

In the face of incessant and awful internal political and social instability, Bangladesh has brought about challenges that India has...

Benedict Anderson in his renowned work “Imagined Communities” explains that national identity is essentially an imagination of a...

“You can change friends, but you can’t change neighbours” - former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee  The Indian subcontinent is strategically...

The border region along the frontier between Myanmar and Bangladesh has been the focus of conflict from 2021 till date. The ethnic...

The year 2024 witnessed elections across the globe with nearly half of the world’s population  voting. However, this year observed...

Political upheaval after Sheikh Hasina's resignation has brought about a series of changes in the governance of Bangladesh and the...