Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) refers to the portion of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir that is currently under Pakistani control. The territory has been a source of tension between India and Pakistan since the two countries gained independence in 1947, and the disputed status of PoK has been a key issue in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The disputed territory was ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh, a Hindu king, but the region had a majority Muslim population. When the state of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India in 1947, Pakistan claimed that the accession was invalid and sent troops into the region.
Category: India
India’s Arunachal Pradesh or China’s Zangnan?
For a substantial period of time, the border conflicts between India and China have centred around the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which is claimed by China and administered by India. Reflecting the severity of the conflict, following the Sino-Indian War of 1962, both nations have been constantly in conflict with one another. Since then, Beijing has primarily concentrated on using covert warfare techniques to sabotage India’s sovereignty, renaming Indian land, intensifying military buildups in border regions and defying signed pacts, norms & procedures, while the dragon has never faltered in its will to put mounting pressure on New Delhi.
Role of the Indian Diaspora in 2024 General Election
This year is significant because many of the countries have their general elections. India, being the largest democracy, the general election set to begin on April 19. The major contenders in this election are the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which the current ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is part of; and the Indian National Congress (INC). For this election, the Congress has formed a new alliance Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) with several regional political parties. The influence of the Indian diaspora on Indian elections eventually increased over the decades.
India must Recalibrate its Diplomatic Ties with Russia
When he arrived in India, the Foreign Minister delivered a noteworthy statement, asserting that India’s longstanding ties with Russia are rooted in a ‘Soviet Legacy’ that is gradually dissipating. He urged New Delhi to reconsider its relationship with Moscow and align more closely with Kyiv, reflecting Ukraine’s perspective on the evolving global landscape.
India’s Foreign Policy Achievements for the Last Five Years
The world is currently witnessing several turmoils in geopolitics. While two major conflicts have been happening along with numerous minor tussles, the world is coping with the increasing fear of a ‘new cold-war era’ between the U.S. and China. This year is also crucial to have elections in some major countries like the U.S., India, Taiwan and others. Many academic debates are currently surrounding the government’s policies for the welfare and development of the country. This article will set an evaluation of India’s foreign policy to take stock of developments and achievements in the past five years is necessary.
CAA Protests Highlights Foreign Policy Illiteracy Among Indians
Four long years after the parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 11 March 2024 notified the rules for CAA. Though it has nothing much with domestic affairs, why do Muslims in India keep protesting? Is the CAA discriminatory against Muslims? What is the foreign policy angle of CAA?
Assessing the Prospects of India-Saudi Arabia Defence Cooperation
India and Saudi Arabia conducted their maiden military exercise ‘Sada Tanseeq’ from 29 January 2024 to 9 February 2024. The 12-day exercise has proven to be an indicator of a growing defence relationship between both nations. Saudi crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman paid a state visit to India during the 2023 G-20 summit hosted by India. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2019, the two countries signed a landmark memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation which entailed joint military exercises between the two countries.
Ram Mandir Event: A Historic or a Political Move?
The consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, marked a significant moment for India. The event fulfilled a long-standing promise of the BJP, with political implications for the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 election. It also represents a step towards unity and harmony, following the Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019. The event was both religious and political, shaping the nation’s future.
Interim Budget and the Road to the Big Game Ahead
For the current government it’s not an ordinary budget but it’s a report card or a moment to show its credibility for the next season. This budget is said to be the 6th in row for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Read to know the budget’s nutshell
Popular Narratives Should not be the Drivers of India’s Global Ambitions
Since independence, up until 1991, India had never attempted to establish formal diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. Not that it did not want to, but it was mainly because of the popular Indian sentiment that it should not keep connections or do any business with the nation that ostracises and conducts atrocities against Palestinian Muslims. And also, because certain sections of the society did not want the Indian state to recognise Israel as a separate entity in itself. Is appeasing and pacifying the heated sentiments of the people considered the deciding factor in foreign policy engagements of a nation?