Articles

Challenges ahead for the Pakistan Government

After the no confidence motion that ousted Imran Khan, Parliament elected unopposed Shahbaz Sharif as 23rd prime minister of the country, bringing to an end the political uncertainty that had gripped the nation. However the country still remains mire....

May 11, 2022 Neighbourhood Studies , Pakistan , economy , elections , Imran Khan , Domestic politics , Political Crisis , Podcast , Shahbaz Sharif

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Implications for Central Asia

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Senior Research Associate , VIF Article

Background

Central Asia is geo-strategically significant for the Kremlin as the region border Afghanistan and Iran to the South, China to the East, and the Caspian Sea to the West. The Central Asian region is considered Russia’s sphere o....

April 19, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , Russia , Kyrgyzstan , economy , Uzbekistan , Ukraine , Tajikistan , Remittances , Eurasian Union , Labour Migrants , CSTO. Kazakhstan

Ukraine Crisis: Assessing the US Response and the Economic Implications

Amb Arun K Singh, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Russia's sudden military incursion into Ukraine has taken the world by storm with the developing situation having far-reaching economic and geopolitical implications. Join Amb. Arun K. Singh, Distinguished Fellow, VIF and Avantika Menon in this podca....

March 07, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , US , Russia , India , economy , Europe , sanctions , Podcast , SWIFT , Ukraine Crisis , Invasion

How is Central Asia Reacting to Russia-Ukraine Crisis?

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Senior Research Associate , VIF Article

Background

Central Asia has recently been in the geopolitical spotlight with the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and political upheaval in Kazakhstan. Russia’s special military actions in Ukraine have once again drawn attention to Cen....

February 28, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , Russia , Kyrgyzstan , economy , Uzbekistan , Ukraine , Tajikistan , Remittances , Eurasian Union , Labour Migrants , CSTO. Kazakhstan

Sri Lankan Economy Spiralling out of control; Requests IMF assistance

Asanga Abeyagoonasekera Commentary

Sri Lanka’s economic meltdown is one of the worst in recent decades, pushing many families into poverty. The situation is rapidly spiralling out of control with multiple ill prescribed economic policies. The unstable economic crisis is clearly on t....

February 14, 2022 Neighbourhood Studies , Sri Lanka , Commentary , India , economy , Sri Lanka , IMF

The Himalayan Conundrum: Nepal and Bhutan in 2021

Rishi Gupta, Research Associate, VIF Article

Nepal

The year 2021 can be surmised as a year of political upheavals, economic downfall, and geo-political uncertainties for Nepal. Also, when countries worldwide were engaged in making arrangements to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, Nepal’....

January 20, 2022 Neighbourhood Studies , Nepal , Bhutan , Article , Nepal , economy , Bhutan , India-Nepal , Year in Review 2021 , Himalayan , Nepal-China , India-Bhutan , Bhutan-China , geo-politics

Covid’s Impact: Likely Trends in 2022

Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF Article

About 5.8 million people reportedly died globally due to covid^[1]. The unreported number is much higher. The world struggled to come out with a comprehensive, coordinated, effect....

December 31, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , US , China , economy , Covid , Supply chains , Vaccines , UN , health security , strategic impact

Afghanistan Mired in Uncertainty

Aakriti Vinayak, Research Associate, VIF Article

Taliban after illegitmately wresting power in Afghanistan has entered its fourth month. However the country remains in chaos and at the edge of abyss. United Nations(UN) has warned that Afghanistan is on countdown to catasrophe and it is at the brin....

December 24, 2021 Terrorism , National Security and Strategic Studies , Article , economy , Afghanistan , Taliban , Humanitarian Crisis

Bangladesh- Journey of Fifty Years

Dr Sreeradha Datta, Centre Head & Senior Fellow, Neighbourhood Studies, VIF Commentary

16 December 1971 is a historic day for Bangladesh. This day has been celebrated as the Victory Day to mark the defeat of the Pakistani forces and its emergence as an independent Bangladesh. This year is especially significant as it marks the golden j....

December 14, 2021 Neighbourhood Studies , Bangladesh , Commentary , economy , Bangladesh , Sheikh Hasina , achievements , Victory Day

Pakistan External and Internal Developments

Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Pakistan remains mired in complexities and uncertainties. On the external front, Post US withdrawal from Afghanistan, what will be Pakistan's role in Afghanistan? How far it's own security will be affected in case of Taliban gaining the upper hand in....

June 26, 2021 Neighbourhood Studies , Pakistan , economy , Afghanistan , USA , Security , Taliban , Podcast