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PoK
From the Archives: Baluchistan and The Partition of India: The Forgotten Story


Baren Ray

This occasional paper examines Balochistan’s struggle for autonomy, from British colonial “Sandemanisation” to its forced 1948 accession to Pakistan. By highlighting the suppression of Kalat’s independence and the exploitation of regional resources, Ray illustrates how systemic marginalisation transformed a secular identity movement into an enduring conflict against centralised state authority.

Kargil-Iran
Understanding Kargil’s Iran Connection


Zainab Akhter

Deeply rooted in 15th-century missionary history , Kargil has religious and cultural ties with Iran. The recent spontaneous popular response to Ayatollah Khamenei’s death shows the abiding spiritual and political contact between the people of Kargil and Iran.

India-Bangladesh
A Remarkable Reset in India-Bangladesh Ties: The Pragmatism of Tariq Rahman


Imran Khurshid

From strategic drift to a cautious reset, India–Bangladesh ties are entering a new phase after a turbulent period. Tariq Rahman’s leadership is redefining bilateral engagement through pragmatism, balance, and renewed trust.

Issue Briefs

Chahbar Port
The Chabahar Port and India-Iran Agreement


Ashish Shukla

On 13 May 2024, India and Iran signed a 10-year long-term contract for operation of Shahid Behesti terminal at the Chabahar port in Iran, eight years after concluding the general framework of cooperation on the Chabahar port. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in May 2015 for the development of this port by India and on 23 May 2016, the contract was executed during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran.

Gilgit-Baltistan
Widening gulf between Pakistan and AJK


Nazir Ahmad Mir

Although most of the demands have been accepted― of course, not before securitizing the political issue by deploying FC, Rangers along with police to use force against the protesters― the people of AJK are unlikely to forget the ordeal they have had to pass through, for the last more than six months, which has certainly steeled their nerves.

UPR45
National Report by China in the 45th UPR Session: Hiding More than it Reveals


Ankita Sanyal

China’s report on human rights in the 45th session of the UPR on 23 January 2024 has drawn the attention of human rights activists worldwide. It has painted a rosy picture of the human rights situation within China.