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EU-South Asia trade perspectives: State of play
No full textThe European Union is South Asia’s number one trading partner and has thus far engaged with the region mainly on commercial grounds. This paper provides a thorough analysis of the trade relations between the two blocs, devoting special attention to existing preferential trade agreements and specifically analysing the implications of EU policy on three national contexts. While highlighting the positive economic and developmental aspects of such agreements, the paper will also express some reservations as to the current implementation of the EU’s system of preferences, especially with regard to the human and labour rights conditionalities included. Due to South Asia’s increasing importance on the global playfield and its impressive economic growth, a case for increased engagement and strategic partnership between the EU and South Asia will be made, in the spirit of countering common concerns such as Chinese influence, maritime disputes, climate change and the fight against terrorism
The Changing Face of Urban Informality - Class, Migration & Gender
No full textCities are rapidly changing, and so is the agency of urban infrastructure. It is necessary for policy discussions around urban informality to keep up with this changing pace. This paper begins by exploring how urban infrastructure plays an increasingly structural role in influencing the politics of inclusion & exclusion within a city. It further tries to explore how the definition of informality in an urban setting has moved beyond ‘economic class’ to include broader social paradigms of migration and gender. It has become increasingly important to question the agency of urban infrastructure, especially in the face of a pandemic. The paper concludes by suggesting ways in which policy discussions around gender and internal migration (especially in a post-covid world) should take into account changes in order to make urban centres truly inclusive spaces
Wo sind all die Roten Khmer geblieben?
No full textWer sich mit der Regierung Kambodschas beschäftigt, bekommt oftmals zu hören, dass es „viele“ Rote Khmer in ihr gäbe. Zuvorderst natürlich Premierminister Hun Sen, der in den Jahren von 1975 bis zu seiner Flucht nach Vietnam 1977 als stellvertretender Regimentskommandeur im Militär des „Demokratischen Kampucheas“ (DK) aktiv war. Doch wie sind sie überhaupt dahin gekommen? Und was ist aus ihren ehemaligen Kamerad*innen geworden
Die satirische Facebook-Gruppe Royalist Marketplace, queere TikToks und die neue Demokratiebewegung in Thailand - Interview mit Prof. Pavin Chachavalpongpun
No full textSeit Juli 2020 demonstrieren tausende Thailänderinnen und Thailänder im In- und Ausland für mehr Demokratie. Die Proteste werden von einer neuen Generation von Studierenden und Schülerinnen und Schülern getragen, die ein Tabu brechen: Zum ersten Mal seit 1932 wird ein König offen kritisiert. Weitreichende Reformen der Monarchie werden als notwendiger Ausgangspunkt für eine Demokratisierung ins Zentrum der Forderungen gestellt. Dabei erscheinen die Proteste selbst wie eine humorvolle Unterhaltungsshow: Die Studierenden tanzen in Harry-Potter-Kostümen oder als Zeichentrick-Figur Hamtaro um das Demokratiemonument. Sie führen Parodien auf und machen die Monarchie lächerlich. Einige halten ein in Gold gerahmtes Foto in die Höhe, auf dem Pavin Chachavalpongpun mit seinem Schoßhündchen zu sehen ist und proklamieren ihn zur Königin von Thailand. Woher nehmen die jungen Aktivistinnen und Aktivisten ihren Mut? Und welche Rolle spielt Pavin und seine Facebook-Gruppe Royalist Marketplace
Prospects for Cooperation between India and Armenia
No full textThere are significant historical links between Armenia and India. This working paper seeks to provide an understanding of the prospects of present and future cooperation between the two countries. It features the analysis and interpretation of a questionnaire devised for this study and sent to both Armenians and Indians, comparing thirty dimensions for cooperation. The conclusions drawn in this paper point to there being positive prospects for bilateral cooperation, namely in the areas of science and tourism. However, many constraints remain in what comes to overcoming trade barriers in Trans-Asian Routes
‘Hydropolitics’ in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region - The case for a unified, committed, multilateral effort
No full textThe Hindu-Kush-Himalayan region was the main source of rivers providing water for civilizations in the past. Rivers, which continue to flow today through sixteen Asian countries. A resource, that is essential for people’s livelihoods and for the preservation of the environment. For the protection of these rivers, a multilaterally agreed set of water management principles and rules must be followed, and a sustainable equilibrium must be found between different aims and interests. The unilateral imposition of a single nation’s determination based on its dominant position on water sources and capacity to press nations in weaker stances is not conductive to the needed environmental preservation and sustainable development
Pakistan and the future of Afghanistan
No full textAccording to several reports, it appears that the stage is set for the long-awaited intra-Afghan negotiations (IAN) between rival factions. Both the Afghan Taliban and the Government of Afghanistan expressed their readiness to start their first official direct talks, which will be held in Qatar. After contributing to the U.S.-Taliban peace deal – which is commonly recognised as an essential step towards the start of the IAN – Pakistan aims to take on a central role in Afghanistan’s future political developments. Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership are therefore trying to normalise their tense relations with the Afghan government. So far, Islamabad continues to support the peace deal between Washington and the Afghan Taliban – and the notion of a power-sharing agreement between the insurgency group and the political leadership in Kabul. However, Islamabad’s interests and policy remain unchanged and are not conducive for an understanding between the major actors in Afghanistan. Pakistan will thus continue to damage peace and stability in its western neighbourhood. Afghanistan will furthermore not only be increasingly affected by the Pakistan-India conflict but also become a new theatre in the evolving India-China conflict
The Untold tale of an unending border
No full textThis piece is an attempt to delve deep into the root causes of the Indo China Border dispute through the use of History and bring out some of the lesser known facts in this longest boundary dispute. This is an issue which has its roots as much in the treaties and history as in the current Political and diplomatic developments
Crawling Back to Normalcy: The Super Cyclonic Storm ‘Amphan’ Brings West Bengal to a Complete Halt
No full textThe onset of the super cyclonic storm Amphan in West Bengal, India, was a package of petrifying winds, consistent rainfall, collapsing trees, overflowing sewages, shattered glass windows, blown off roofs and many other things to recall and revisit. The Super Cyclonic Storm ‘Amphan’ was a powerful and deadly tropical cyclone which caused widespread damage in West Bengal and Bangladesh on 20th May 2020. Regions such as Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah, East Midnapur, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal were all massively affected by the cyclone. It also caused significant destruction in Bangladesh and parts of Odisha. This article is an ‘ethnographic’ account of the experience of the Amphan winds and the collateral damage affecting the social and ecological structure at large. The article intends to enlighten the extent of damage and the recovery process after the catastrophe. Additionally, it is held that the state along with its citizens must contribute with rational/efficient ideas towards the protection and preservation of the environment - especially when global warming lies at such a tipping point
Ein erster Schritt zur Gerechtigkeit für die Rohingya
No full textDer Internationale Gerichtshof in Den Haag hat verfügt, dass Myanmar „einstweilige Maßnahmen“ ergreifen müsse, um die Verbrechen gegen die Rohingya zu beenden und weitere Gräuel zu verhindern