BJP’s Financial Power: A Pakistani Perspective
BJP is gearing up to be elected for the third time. As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections roll around, it is a need of the hour for Pakistanis to truly grasp the enormity of this party, its influence, and extensive resources as it heads in for the seven phases of elections.
Democracy in Peril: India’s 2024 Lok Sabha Elections & Modi’s Assured Return
The 18th Lok Sabha elections in India are expected to be won by the incumbent Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, concerns have been raised about the BJP’s policies of authoritarianism, which threaten democracy, secularism, and the protection of minorities within India.
Pareesa Memon highlights BJP’s catastrophic history and its increasing marginalization of minorities. She expresses concern that with a third term, the BJP will further reduce space for dissent, debate, legislative scrutiny, and oversight.
Major Powers’ Interests in IOR And Implications For the Region
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is a critical area of focus for global powers due to its economic significance, strategic chokepoints, and natural resources.
The US, China, and India are vying for dominance in the region, with new alliances and military bases being established to safeguard their interests. China and India are expected to be major engines of growth.
The complex interdependence and potential threats in the IOR necessitate constructive dialogue and a balanced approach to regional security.
The New Great Game: A Pakistani Perspective
Lt Gen Tariq Khan provides an in-depth account of the historical rivalry known as the “Great Game” that took place between the British and Russian empires in the subcontinent during the 19th century.
In his paper, he explains that the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan created a power vacuum, which set the stage for a “New Great Game” in the South Asian region.
This region is of immense importance due to its geo-strategic location which is central to China, Central Asian republics, Iran, and Pakistan.
Economy of Pakistan over the Years
With an external debt exceeding 130.1 billion dollars, Pakistan faces precarious debt levels, political instability, and deteriorating economic indicators.
The global economic downturn spurred by Covid-19 hit advanced economies hard and sent the growth rates of developing and underdeveloped states plummeting. The PTI government made modest gains, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. However, deep-seated challenges such as energy crises and regulatory hurdles persisted.
Hamza Shariff concludes that Pakistan must prioritize structural reforms, invest in human capital, and diversify energy sources to unlock the nation’s economic potential.
Pakistan—The Balochistan Conundrum by Tilak Devasher
In “Pakistan-The Balochistan Conundrum,” Tilak Devasher analyzes the Balochistan issue and emphasizes the shortcomings of the Pakistani government. He paints a twisted portrait of pain and exclusion that the Baloch have allegedly suffered at the hands of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Arooj Saghir provides a counter-narrative by highlighting the biased statements and lack of evidence from the far-right nationalist author.
NIMA’s Hybrid Seminar on the Indian & Pacific Oceans
Today, the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Navy – Sea Power Centre (RMN – SPC), Pakistan Embassy in France, Centre for International Studies (CeSI) in Italy, and the Institute of Regional Studies held an international hybrid seminar on the regional and international significance of the Indian and Pacific Oceans at the NIMA Head office in Islamabad.
The Indian Economic Model: A Story of Progress & Paradox
Jana Awez provides a critical analysis of India’s economic growth, revealing the harsh realities that exist beneath the surface of its impressive economic achievements. Despite economic gains, citizens grapple with debt, inflation, unemployment, and poor infrastructure. India’s dream of becoming an economic superpower clashes with existing social issues.
The Fault in Our Stars: Pitfalls in Pakistan’s Economic Development
As Pakistan approaches its 77th anniversary, Aiman Shahid reflects on its journey.
Impacted by political turmoil and a neglect of economic development, Pakistan trails behind other developing nations such as Bangladesh – a state once poorer than Pakistan, now emerging as a success story, overcoming adversity through strategic reforms and empowering its female workforce.
Comparing Pakistan to African developing states, she also highlights valuable insights from Rwanda’s path to progress, which could transform Pakistan’s economy and help the South Asian state achieve its development goals. As the nation stands at a crossroads, it must confront its identity crisis and persevere to shape a brighter future.
India’s Cultivation of the Khalistan Movement—Past & Present
The Khalistan Movement is an attempt to liberate the Sikhs of India. The separatist movement was started by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and gained momentum in the ’80s.
The recent murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver has rekindled the movement, shedding light on India’s persisting anti-Khalistan sentiments.
India’s distaste for the Sikhs has been seen time and again over the years from Operation Blue Star of 1948, to the unsavory response that the Farmer’s Protests received.
Sarmad Ishfaq summarizes that with the way India keeps targeting Sikhs, the revival of Khalistan seems inevitable, and it’s only a matter of time before it gains momentum again.
Insight into the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is positioning itself as a competitor to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Minahil Khalid expands on how this initiative materialized after the September 2023 G20 summit. IMEC holds significant economic and strategic importance as it connects India, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe, thereby establishing a trade route with the potential to reshape global trading dynamics. The impact of IMEC on Pakistan needs to be assessed, considering that this corridor may pose challenges to the success and involvement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region.
Examining Iran’s Missile Offensive Against Pakistan
Iran conducted missile strikes about 50 Kms deep into Pakistan on 16th January, 2024, striking Panjgur. The news was first broken on social media and then by the international press with a public statement made by Iran. Pakistan then retaliated within 48 hours and undertook a drone attack on Saravan in Iran along with other stand-off weapons and loitering munitions.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: November 2023 Edition
The November 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 12 handpicked pieces. These cover the genocides in Congo and Palestine, the geostrategic importance of the South China Sea, Hindu nationalism in India, and the role of AI in modern warfare.
India’s Experiment with Military Indigenization
Since the 1990s, India has made continuous efforts to expand its economy beyond traditional benchmarks of success.
India has reached the stage where it’s even taken on the indigenization of its defence sector, particularly the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-2, in hopes of becoming a production house and supplier of military technology.
BJP and its Politics of Cricket
Cricket–and the World Cup–in India have become more than just an event for the people to enjoy. For Modi and the BJP, hosting the ICC World Cup is just one more feather of international recognition in their caps, following the G20 summit just weeks ago.
It could be due to the fact that sports and entertainment have a way of going where historically politics and state media have had a hard time penetrating.
Rise of Hindu Nationalism: A Threat to Religious Minorities
Considering its diverse population, India decided on secularism for the country, but even with that feature, the religious minorities have faced persecution and are anything but safe and free.
From the records of religious intolerance present, it is safe to say that the rise of Hindu nationalism has been at the expense of the Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs of India.
The US Dollar vs BRICS: Is the American Financial Order Declining?
Muhammad Mustafa Ahmed Khan discusses the historical dominance of the American currency, the dollar. He examines the challenges to the supremacy of the US dollar and, additionally, to the American financial order, posed by the economic policies of the BRICS member states. Though they might not match the US individually, together these states contribute significantly to the global economy. Their decision to trade in their respective currencies itself poses a threat to the dollar.