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India-Thailand Security and Economic Co-operation and its Impacts on Regionalization
No full textHistorically, relations between India and Thailand have always been dominated by economic co-operation and cultural exchange. However, since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in May 2014 and the subsequent announcement of his ‘Act East policy’, not only is there intensifying co-operation of India with Thailand in general, but also a broadening of areas of collaboration. Most remarkable in this context is the new, strong focus of security-related issues as well as efforts to boost economic interaction. This article argues that India’s increased interest in Thailand is a result of new international parameters, foremost of which is China’s enhanced engagement in the Indian Ocean as well as the South China Sea. As such, it is stated that India-Thai relations must be understood in the wider context of New Delhi’s attempt to define its new role in the larger Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, India’s recent deteriorating relations with Pakistan and the consequent negative impacts regarding regional connectivity towards ‘the West’ urges the country even more to reassess its foreign policy towards the South-East Asian region, among which Thailand is identified as a natural gateway. On the other side, Thailand increasingly appears to be identifying India as a priority access to the West. Against this backdrop, the intensification of India-Thailand relations could serve as a catalyst for more regional co-operation between South Asia and South-East Asia
The Battery of ASEAN: The opportunity and lesson of India’s energy security
No full textThe Lao People's Democratic Republic is a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN. Laos has been classified since 1971 as belonging to the group of least developed countries in the world; however, it is articulating a plan to transform itself and become the ‘Battery of ASEAN” by 2020 – thus ridding itself of such low status. It is the only landlocked country in ASEAN; however, its territory is rich in natural resources – especially rivers and coal. The country is traversed by a thousand rivers. The national hydropower development plan contains 72 new large dams, 12 of which are under construction and nearly 25 at advanced planning stages. Laos plans to export its power to both Thailand and Vietnam. The hydroelectric project under preparation is supported by many neighbouring countries; in fact, cooperation between Laos and its neighbours is key to the policy in question. However, this strategy also challenges both the geopolitics and the cooperation mechanisms within ASEAN. Laos plans to establish nine dams on the lower Mekong mainstream, which will affect neighbouring countries which share said Mekong River with Laos – including Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. The rise of a Chinese-Lao economic relationship also shapes new geopolitical realities within ASEAN. Overall, it can be said that from an Indian point of view this new hydroelectrical policy constitutes an important opportunity for access to new energy supplies. It can also reveal itself a model for future national strategies regarding regional cooperation on the energy sector
Between law and practice: Reflections from the sealing drive across Delhi
No full textThis paper provides a brief coverage of the on-going sealing drive in Delhi which massively disrupted the trading activities of small and medium scale businesses across different parts of the capitol city. A sealing drive is the process of removal of unauthorised establishments by (civic) authorities. This paper starts by tracking down the legal history of the controversy, from 1992 to the developments in the case since then. The purpose of this reflective study is to present an overview of the ground situation in Delhi’s ‘sealed markets’ while explaining the legal nuances of the Supreme Court order. A short-hand ethnographic method has been used by authors in primarily documenting the perspective of traders affected by the sealing drive in the Southern parts of Delhi (including Amar Colony and Defence Colony area). Towards the end of the paper, the authors conclude with a brief proposal on legal remedies available to traders (and other stakeholders) affected by the drive
Time to renew outdated strategies - Current State of the Peace Process in Myanmar
No full textAfter almost seventy years of civil war and armed conflict the peace process is considered to be the centerpiece of a future peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic groups in Myanmar. Peace negotiations under the former Thein Sein government led to the so called Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement signed by 8 ethnic armed organisations out of approximately 21. The initiation of the Panglong Peace Conferences by the succeeding National League for Democracy government aroused high hopes among ethnic minorities. Meanwhile, frustration over the faltering negotiations is growing. In December 2017 Christina Grein met with Dr. Sai Oo, Director of the Pyidaungsu Institute, to talk about the current situation of the negotiations and the challenges ahead
Regimewechsel durch Wahlen? Der malaysische Tsunami im Mai 2018
No full textAm 9. Mai 2018 fanden die 14. Wahlen auf Bundes- und Landesebene in Malaysia statt. Die aus 13 Parteien bestehende Regierungskoalition Nationale Front oder Barisan Nasional verlor überraschend ihre jahrzehntelange Vorherrschaft. Letztlich wurde das alte autokratische Regime also durch Wahlen, die zugleich den Anfang einer Demokratisierung markieren, gestürzt
SAI-Newsletter, no.12 (June 2018)
No full textThe SAI-Newsletter presents what the South Asia Institute offers: A fascinating unity in a variety of academic topics on South Asia, a unique group of highly qualified academics, numerous best practice examples for research and teaching and last but not least a sound degree of public attention. Apart from looking back at what has happened at the institute the newsletter will also point at upcoming activities and events. By doing so the SAI-Newsletter combines the important task of documentation while at the same time looking ahead to what the future will bring
Growing Nepal-China security cooperation and its ramifications for India
No full textDue to its geostrategic location, Nepal is extraordinarily exposed to external influence. As a small, land-locked country positioned between two major Asian powers, India and China, the country is permanently an object of regional ambitions and rivalries. Safeguarding its national security and independence, Nepal’s foreign policy has centred on the not always reconcilable task of maintaining friendly relations with both sides. Therefore, Nepal’s current attempt to follow a policy of non-alignment (Xavier, 2017), and to keep foreign influence at bay is nothing new. However, this article argues that Kathmandu’s ongoing efforts in maintaining control in political decision-making through an increased cooperation with Beijing possesses severe risks for Nepal’s national interests. In view of the challenging process of its democratic transition, weak institutional structure, and unhealthy civil-military relations, China has a multitude of opportunities to gain crucial leverage within Nepal’s political-administrative structure. Furthermore, Nepal-China cooperation, especially in the field of defence and security, determines a severe issue for Kathmandu’s relation with India. In sum, China’s growing engagement in Nepal has remarkable security implications for New Delhi since it determines an intrusion in India’s sphere of influence
How ancient are Vedas, Vedanga Jyotisha and Surya Siddhanta?
No full textVedas, Vedanga Jyotisha, Surya Siddhanta are known as "apaurusheyas" meaning that their author and their period is unknown. No serious attempt seems to have been made to determine the age of these "apaurusheyas".
In this short paper, an attempt has been made by the author to determine VEDIC AGE using Equinoxes and their precession. He relied heavily on available evidence in Rig-Veda, Vedanga Jyotisha, Brahma Siddhanta, Surya Siddhanta etc. and quoted extensively from these sources to support his contentions
A South Asian strives for Social Justice and Environmental Justice
No full textA woman of great knowledge and virtue sets aside the prominent years of her life to help the underprivileged living in impermanent settlements of Karachi, Pakistan. The devastating reality is that she was murdered for her noteworthy initiative. By mapping with the residents, she helped them gain land title, as she proved their case to the city and government officials. It was through her unique manner of involving the residents solve their issues that made her pro-poor model a success. This is Perween Rahman’s journey in questioning planning regimes of Karachi to define the need of local planning
Development at the expense of the local population: A case study from Boeung Tumpun Lake, Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
No full textThe on-going development of Boeung Tompun Lake area (BTL) in the south of Phnom Penh will have impacts upon local residents' land, livelihoods and tenure security. This research report aims to determine the impact that develoment is having on BTL residents' living standards and to highlight their concerns for the future