I am excited to join the Foreign Policy Association blogging community. It feels great to be a part of one of the largest network of global affairs blogs. Here is a brief introduction about your new blogger Madhavi Bhasin. Academic interests and personal yearnings inspired my journey from the banks of the Ganges in Kolkata […]
In what could potentially be a significant step towards women’s empowerment in India, the Rajya Sabha* yesterday passed the ‘Women’s Reservation Bill’ with 186 votes. Also known as the Constitution (108th) Amendment Bill 2008, it seeks to reserve 33% of the seats in the national and state legislatures for women. The Manmohan Singh government had hoped to have it passed on March 8, International Women’s […]
In a first for the city, Pune was struck by a terrorist attack that killed nine and injured 45 peoplelast night. A few foreigners are among those killed. An explosive left behind in a backpack at the German Bakery in Pune’s Koregaon Park area exploded at around 7.15 pm. The Home Minister P Chidambaram said in a […]
Amnesty International appoints its first Indian Secretary General: Salil Shetty will take over as the new Secretary General of Amnesty International in June 2010. Shetty has served as the Director of the UN’s Millenium Campaign for the past six years. According to Peter Pack, the chair of Amnesty International’s Executive Committee, “As we approach our […]
India celebrates its 60th Republic Day today. It is to this day in 1950 that the Indian Constitution came into force after its independence from Britain in August 1947. The Republic Day celebrations are an opportunity to display the nation’s cultural diversity, military might and other achievements to its people and the world through a […]
India launches anti-Maoist operation: India has launched a large offensive against the rebel Maoist groups in five states – West Bengal, Jharakhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The new operation, according to Home Minister P Chidambaram, is aimed at reasserting “the authority of the civil administration” in the affected areas, and arresting top leaders. The Indian […]
Former Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon will be Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s new National Security Advisor (NSA). The current NSA, M K Narayanan will step down after five years in office, and take over as the Governor of the state of West Bengal. The new appointment comes at a time when the Home Minister, P […]
David Headley and Tahawwur Rana have been indicted by a US grand jury for the terror attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. The two men were arrested in Chicago on 3 October, 2009 and charges were filed against them on 7 December, 2009. The indictment revels that Lashkar e-Taiba provided $28,000 to David Headley […]
In a goodwill gesture aimed at improving relations with its eastern neighbor, India will make available a line of credit of $1 billion to Bangladesh. This was announced during a three day visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. The two countries also signed agreements on mutual assistance in fighting terrorism, organized crime […]
In the latest issue of Foreign Policy Barbara Crossette writes about how India is the real “headache” in Asia. She refers to India as the “elephant in the room” that no one seems to be talking about. The piece is extremely critical of how India handles its international relations, and calls it “an international adolescent, […]
As India steps into a new decade it seems ready to take on the world. But this process will not be without some big challenges. While terrorism and internal security are crucial concerns, sustaining the rapid economic growth and making India easier and safer to do business with are also huge challenges. With the India-US […]
Fire at Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC): A fire broke out in a laboratory at India’s premier nuclear research facility yesterday. Though no danger of radiation due to the accident was reported, two research students were killed in the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown. Earlier this month three people were arrested for […]
India’s Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram has proposed setting up a National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) as part of a plan to radically restructure the country’s security apparatus. Delivering the 22nd Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment Lecture he said that given the scope and urgency of internal security, it is necessary to separate the non-internal security […]
A report, investigating the state’s response to the Mumbai attacks last year, has blamed then Commissioner of Police (CP) Hasan Gafoor of “absence of overt leadership” and “lack of visible command and control at the CP’s office.” Gafoor was heavily criticized by the media and state government, and was transferred from his post two months […]
Overview The 2008 Mumbai attacks dominated the news and cast a long shadow that affected India’s actions in 2009. The investigations, compilation of dossiers detailing Pakistan’s involvement and prosecution of the perpetrators of the attack were the highlights of the past year. Evidence of the terrorists’ direct links with Pakistan increased tensions. The composite dialogue […]