THE buzzword in the corridors of power in South Block nowadays is "strategic patience"-a term first used by US President Barack Obama in 2015. It is a convenient phrase to cloak setbacks in India's troubled South Asian neighbourhood. From Afghanistan-when India went all out to back President Ashraf Ghani in 2014-and the people's revolt in Sri Lanka in 2022 that saw the back of the Rajapaksa brothers, to the 'India Out' movement in the Maldives and the frequent changes in government in Nepal with leaders veering either towards India or China, the region has seen it all. Yet the unkindest cut was Bangladesh, where Sheikh Hasina, India's closest friend and ally, had to flee the country and seek shelter here. New Delhi's inability to anticipate the tumultuous events that led to the ouster of Bangladesh's Hasina or realise the strength of the student movement is a sad reflection of not just our diplomacy, but of India’s intelligence agencies that failed to gauge the mood on the streets. India was perhaps complacent, believing that Hasina could crack the whip and keep things in control as she had done in the past.
Denne historien er fra September 1, 2024-utgaven av Outlook.
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Denne historien er fra September 1, 2024-utgaven av Outlook.
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Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
Crème de la Crème
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. It’s high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.
Fading Folks
The recent SC ruling on sub-classification within the SC and ST categories temporarily lifted the hopes of tribal communities in Jharkhand
