Nirupama Subramanian
Nirupama Subramanian is National Editor (Strategic Affairs). She writes on India’s foreign policy and national security issues.
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Who are the 8 Indian Navy veterans released by Qatar, and what was the case against them?Subscriber Only
October 26,2023 17:57:09 PM
The former Navy personnel were picked up last year, and no diplomatic breakthrough has been possible so far. The decision, which has left India 'deeply shocked', has come at a critical time in the Middle East.
Mon, Feb 12, 2024
New opportunities and a few old issues as Wickremesinghe comes callingSubscriber Only
July 18,2023 20:04:28 PM
The Sri Lankan President, who begins his first visit to India after taking charge on July 20, has long been an advocate of close bilateral ties. But he will be in New Delhi for just a day, and he will be carrying some baggage as well.
Thu, Jul 20, 2023
Why India-France ties are strong, what’s the significance of PM Modi’s visitSubscriber Only
July 14,2023 07:00:31 AM
France is India's oldest strategic partner, and the relationship has almost no friction points. Both nations value their strategic autonomy, independent foreign policies, and seek a multipolar world. The defence relationship is robust, and is set to get stronger.
Fri, Jul 14, 2023
TCA Raghavan: ‘Pakistan’s state structures aren’t collapsing; it’s in political chaos but hasn’t affected us’Subscriber Only
July 06,2023 04:00:11 AM
Pakistan is currently going through an upheaval that has been likened as next only to its 1971 break up. T C A Raghavan, India’s former High Commissioner to Pakistan, explains what is happening and what the implications of these crises could be.
Thu, Jul 06, 2023
Kesava Menon’s Never Tell Them We Are the Same People is a foreign correspondent’s reflections of his time in PakistanSubscriber Only
July 01,2023 10:00:14 AM
The question of identity and the looming 'other' that is India, and the Pakistani state's deliberate efforts to define itself from the start as 'not India' forms a big part of the book.
Wed, Jun 28, 2023
India and the US-China chips warSubscriber Only
June 30,2023 07:00:57 AM
New Delhi has positioned itself as a player in the critical semiconductor technology field with a hugely significant partnership with the US. But it must make up for the 2-4-decade delayed start — and negotiate the formidable challenges that lie ahead
Tue, Jul 04, 2023
As Jammu sees terror push, hero of Hilkaka has a tip for govt: get people on your sideSubscriber Only
June 20,2023 07:29:51 AM
The larger Jammu region faces an uptick in militant attacks – 10 soldiers were killed in two militant ambushes in the Rajouri-Poonch area in April and May this year, making this one of the deadliest years for the forces.
Tue, Jun 20, 2023
Three years after Galwan: Where India-China ties standSubscriber Only
June 16,2023 07:00:19 AM
Despite many rounds of negotiations and engagement at multiple levels, the military tensions continue. India has said there can be no normal ties if China breaches border agreements. Both sides are building infrastructure in the area.
Fri, Jun 16, 2023
With PM Narendra Modi’s upcoming US visit, a look at the thaw in US-China tiesSubscriber Only
June 09,2023 07:07:51 AM
A Cold War-style détente could be emerging between today's superpowers. Could it come to fruition? And what could be the consequences for India's security and strategic objectives in the region?
Fri, Jun 09, 2023
‘Politics of Hate’ is a collection of essays that traces the rise and rise of communalism across four countries in the subcontinentSubscriber Only
June 03,2023 10:00:40 AM
Edited by Farahnaz Ispahani, these essays explore in depressing detail majoritarianism in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Sat, Jun 03, 2023
BRICS FM meeting in South Africa: What’s on the agenda?Subscriber Only
June 02,2023 05:13:30 AM
The grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is considering whether to add new members and to look seriously at a common currency. Both proposals involve making complex choices.
Fri, Jun 02, 2023
What explains the US visa ‘threat’ to Dhaka?Subscriber Only
May 26,2023 13:53:54 PM
In her three terms in office, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s style of functioning has come to be seen as increasingly authoritarian. She has been a steadfast friend to India, and there is no doubt that New Delhi wants her to continue in power. There are indications, however, that the US could be more open to political change in Dhaka
Sat, May 27, 2023
Power struggle at Afghan embassy as Ambassador battles to stay in officeSubscriber Only
May 16,2023 04:17:22 AM
The Taliban regime has so far taken control of about 14 missions abroad where it has posted its own nominees, but Delhi is not yet one of them.
Tue, May 16, 2023
In Pakistan’s political crisis, Imran Khan’s battle with Army chief Asim MunirSubscriber Only
May 13,2023 06:30:50 AM
All this time, Pakistan’s legendary cricket captain has been careful not to frame his battle as being against the Army, but as one against individual officers he holds responsible for his ouster from office last year.
Sun, May 14, 2023
Imran Khan’s arrest: Boost for his image, but key is how Army respondsSubscriber Only
May 10,2023 04:00:37 AM
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's arrest is seen as an action not by the civilian government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but of the Pakistan Army.
Thu, May 11, 2023
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in Goa: As Russia, China vie for upper hand, what SCO means for IndiaSubscriber Only
May 05,2023 07:07:53 AM
While Russia needs India in the SCO, with relations between India and China rough since 2017, the group has provided Delhi a forum to play up its proximity to Moscow. It has also helped India stay involved in the regional discussion on Taliban rule, from which it is otherwise excluded
Fri, May 05, 2023
Pak minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be in India soon, but there are no expectations from the visit. Why?Subscriber Only
April 28,2023 11:58:25 AM
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s visit to Goa for an SCO meeting should be seen in the context of his rash utterances and the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan. However, once in a while even multilateral meetings produce unexpected developments.
Fri, Apr 28, 2023
New terror push in Jammu, Gujjar-Bakherwal alienation: Why the deaths of 5 soldiers underlines the security challenge in PoonchSubscriber Only
April 26,2023 20:33:39 PM
After a gap of almost two decades, cross-border terrorists have set their sights on Jammu once again. There have been five big incidents in the Rajouri-Poonch area since Oct 2021; in none of these cases have the perpetrators been caught.
Fri, May 05, 2023
Track 1.5 Dialogue: Delhi to host talks on Myanmar tomorrowSubscriber Only
April 24,2023 03:37:08 AM
Officials from Myanmar will also be present at the meet, which China, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, and the previous and current ASEAN chairs, Cambodia and Indonesia, are expected to attend.
Mon, Apr 24, 2023
Tracing the path of China’s diplomacy in Central Asia, and where India standsSubscriber Only
April 21,2023 07:00:38 AM
For years, Beijing has worked hard to develop its interests in Central Asia, and the Ukraine war has given it an opportunity to perhaps nudge Russia out of its traditional sphere of influence. India’s engagement with this critical region remains focussed primarily on security concerns.
Fri, Apr 21, 2023
The Rohingya and Myanmar’s planned election as ICJ keeps heat on juntaSubscriber Only
April 18,2023 07:00:57 AM
The ICJ has given Myanmar only a month's reprieve, and scheduled the next hearing for May 24. In July 2022, the court had rejected Myanmar's objections to the case brought by The Gambia, and asked it to file a reply by April 24, 2023.
Tue, Apr 18, 2023
The Ukraine war and New Delhi’s G20 challengeSubscriber Only
April 15,2023 06:15:23 AM
India, which is keen to have Russian President Putin attend the summit, will find it difficult to accommodate Ukraine’s request for an opportunity to address the G20. The success of India’s presidency will depend on its ability to carry the opposing sides to produce a consensus New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
Sun, Apr 16, 2023
Why Sri Lanka’s proposed anti-terror law is facing widespread criticismSubscriber Only
April 11,2023 06:40:40 AM
The proposed law is meant to replace the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, which gives security personnel virtual carte blanche in detaining terror suspects.
Tue, Apr 11, 2023
What is the UN Democracy Fund, co-founded by India, which gives money to George Soros-linked bodiesSubscriber Only
April 11,2023 04:22:09 AM
That India, a founding member of UNDEF, has no objections to the Fund giving grants to NGOs funded by George Soros, while he is put on the watchlist in India underlines a contradiction that’s not new.
Tue, Apr 11, 2023
In New Delhi, George Soros is old, dangerous and on a watchlist — at UN, he isn’t a problemSubscriber Only
April 11,2023 04:17:22 AM
India is the fourth highest donor to UN Democracy Fund, which funds at least 68 projects worldwide linked to George Soros’s Open Society Foundation.
Tue, Apr 11, 2023a better experience