# NIICE NEPAL

> A Top-Notch Think Tank to Serve the Nation


## Posts

- [Is International Law an Instrument of Ideological Control Wielded by Powerful States?              ](https://niice.org.np/archives/12012): International law is meant to serve as an impartial structure for global governance; however, it is often manipulated as a tool of power that privileges the strategic interests of dominant states against equitable justice.
- [Beyond Diplomacy: The Strategic Stakes of the 2025 India–Russia Summit](https://niice.org.np/archives/12006): The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit of 2025 will be a great milestone in the bilateral relations, changing a relationship that was always based on defence and energy into a real-life comprehensive strategic partnership.
- [Why Happiness Should Matter in IR Studies?](https://niice.org.np/archives/12001): Perhaps not through the Bhutanese way, nor the Scandinavian way, but a multilaterally accepted way, can happiness be used as a tool of development in IR and IR studies. Happiness fundamentally should matter in IR studies.
- [Cyclone Ditwah and India–Sri Lanka Relations: Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Dynamics](https://niice.org.np/archives/11995): Cyclone Ditwah has exposed Sri Lanka’s acute vulnerability to extreme weather events, adding pressure to its fragile social and economic fabric.
- [Ethical Frontiers in AI for Security Studies: A Digital Swaraj Perspective for the Global South](https://niice.org.np/archives/11991): Digital Swaraj encourages the promotion of local innovations, technological sovereignty, and democratic governance
- [The South Asian Spring: What Accounts for the Region’s Burgeoning Democratic Movement? ](https://niice.org.np/archives/11963): The global political landscape appears to be receding from the “Third Wave of Democratisation,” giving way to a worldwide surge of authoritarianism.
- [Between Power and Rules: The Political Dilemmas of a Polycentric Trading System](https://niice.org.np/archives/11960): Polycentric trade governance is now the reality of global commerce: several hubs set rules in parallel, reflecting diffused power.
- [Australian Foreign Minister’s Visit to India](https://niice.org.np/archives/11954): All things considered, India and Australia are enjoying a promising partnership at present, one that is marked by strategic convergence of interests in which the quest for upholding the rules-based international order dominates.
- [The Gendered Burden: Women in the Energy and Climate Sectors](https://niice.org.np/archives/11951): The challenges women face as consumers in the energy and climate sectors are multifaceted, rooted in pervasive socio-economic and institutional inequities.
- [Scam Centres in Southeast Asia and the case of Indo-Pacific Security: a Brief Analysis](https://niice.org.np/archives/11948): On the face of it, these scam centres may appear to be operating from a compact space along the border regions of Southeast Asia, but in reality, they constitute a very integral non-traditional security threat emanating from the Indo-Pacific region.
- [Proximity, Power, and the Poetics of Diplomacy: Reassessing India–Maldives Relations](https://niice.org.np/archives/11945): The India–Maldives dynamic remains a study in asymmetry shaped by history, contested sovereignty, market forces, and great-power competition.
- [India-Japan Partnership: An assessment of its viability as a Strategic Anchor in the Indo-Pacific](https://niice.org.np/archives/11937): The India-Japan relationship is one of the most resilient and capable frameworks in the Indo-Pacific. The core strength of the bilateral relations lies in its ability to adapt to domestic and external pressures while maintaining shared purpose.
- [Shared Dream of Development Among South Asian Countries: Integrating the Japanese Methods](https://niice.org.np/archives/11933): Similar to Japan's post-war resolve, the majority of South Asian countries today are initiating long-term development visions. The challenge lies in transforming these aspirations into a durable, institutionally driven, and regionally coordinated model of growth.
- [Is Polycentric Trade Governance the Future of Global Commerce?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11927): As interdependence deepens, the one-center model of trade governance is giving way to a web of regional accords, bilateral deals, and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
- [Assessing Foreign Security Issues in Bihar Elections 2025](https://niice.org.np/archives/11923): In the Bihar elections, foreign issues have increasingly become a focus of political leaders’ campaigns, particularly for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- [“Mining Autonomy: How India is Redrawing the Global Map of Rare Earth Power”](https://niice.org.np/archives/11920): India's push for diversification is a significant step in redefining its economic sovereignty in a world where the politics of minerals are becoming more and more dominant.
- [Did Israel use Supernatural Forces in War with Iran?  Occultism, Espionage and War](https://niice.org.np/archives/11914): Although no concrete evidence exists, it remains conceivable that clandestine programs under the supervision of Mossad or other Israeli security agencies might have been pursued in the service of national interests.
- [New Era Opening up of Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), Expanding Maritime Economy and Trade](https://niice.org.np/archives/11908): The Hainan initiative can be utilised for international trade port development, which is and shall not be limited just to China’s mainland and its periphery
- [Restarting the Test Era: U.S. Nuclear Plans and South Asian Ripples](https://niice.org.np/archives/11905): The U.S. decision to resume nuclear-weapons testing — even in a limited, non-explosive form — represents a pivotal moment for global nuclear security. China and India face strategic dilemmas in recalibrating their deterrent postures, while the broader global order confronts potential norm erosion and renewed arms-race dynamics.
- [Will the Nepal Gen Z Protest Impact the Bihar Elections?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11898): 8 November 2025, NIICE Commentary 11898 Sidhant Kumar The Bihar elections are the most vibrant and are closely watched by people across the country, as well as in the neighbourhood. Gen Z protests in Nepal, which helped root out its corrupt regime, have certainly energised the youth in Bihar and are likely to impact electoral outcomes, albeit minimally. Youth in Bihar are concerned about jobs and skilled education, much like their counterparts in Nepal. College-going boys and girls in Bihar want to change the status quo, including the incumbent Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. A youth voter who […]
- [ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol: A Catalyst for the Strategic Stability in the South China Sea](https://niice.org.np/archives/11893): 3 November 2025, NIICE Commentary 11893 Dr Chander Shekhar Last month was a pivotal month in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) relations. On 28 October 2025, both entities bring together the two largest economies by upgrading their Free Trade Area Protocol to a new height by incorporating new emerging sectors. This marks the ASEAN organization's belief in “a major step forward in their economic ties, reflecting a strong, shared commitment to deeper cooperation and regional prosperity”. The step was realized during the 47th ASEAN Summit held under the Malaysian chairmanship with […]
- [India’s Expanding Defence Partnerships: Strategic Convergence with the USA and the UK](https://niice.org.np/archives/11890): The pragmatic nature of its involvement, balancing between the various alliances and focusing on self-reliance, that has shown that India is increasingly becoming a mature international power with the capability to influence regional peace and pursue its national interests.
- [Nepal Army’s Calculated Restraint: Why It Stood Back during the Gen Z Protests](https://niice.org.np/archives/11883): Nepal Army’s decision to hold back have averted a greater catastrophe. The Army’s conduct during the Gen Z protests should therefore be judged not by the buildings it saved, but by the conflict it prevented.
- [India China Synergy: Cautious Cooperation](https://niice.org.np/archives/11878): It is high time that both India and China work together and evolve newer flexible trade frameworks for gains in the emerging economic opportunities, while gradually building trust and stability in bilateral relations.
- [How Youth Uprisings Reimagining Power and Shaping Rights-Based Politics in South Asia? ](https://niice.org.np/archives/11874): What began as street protests has evolved into a philosophical shift. South Asia’s youth are reimagining democracy not as an inheritance but as a living, negotiable right.
- [  When the Middle East meets the East: An Evolving Partnership ](https://niice.org.np/archives/11861): China and Saudi Arabia are encouraging each other by enhancing cultural ties, fostering cooperation, investing, and aiming to integrate themselves into the global economy.
- [Gen Z Movement of Nepal: Reshaping Nepal’s International Image](https://niice.org.np/archives/11866): Through digital defiance, civic courage, and democratic activism, Nepal’s youth have reshaped how the world views the country.
- [Rising Threat of Drones in India’s Internal Security](https://niice.org.np/archives/11857): India also encountered various incidents where drones were used for smuggling and disrupting internal security.
- [India’s New Alignment: Strategy or Desperation?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11850): The next installment in South Asian geopolitics is unfolding, and India's installment will be written by the extent to which it succeeds in navigating these ever more complex challenges.
- [Climate Migration: South Asia’s overlooked Crisis](https://niice.org.np/archives/11845): Addressing climate mobility through regional cooperation and forward-looking policies would not only safeguard vulnerable communities but also position South Asia as a global leader in climate resilience and justice. 
- [Growth in China-Philippines’ Tension in the South China Sea and the United States](https://niice.org.np/archives/11840): The South China Sea has against renewed attention from the global community and bifurcated the scholarly community into proponents and against the motion.
- [Elephant’s Kabul Puzzle](https://niice.org.np/archives/11818): Apart from the issues identified, the current visit of the official delegation of the Taliban government to India has been strategically crucial for mutual development and goodwill.
- [The Price of Heat: How Climate Change Became Bangladesh's Latest Economic Crisis](https://niice.org.np/archives/11814): For Bangladesh, sustaining its economic miracle is no longer just about trade deals and remittances, it's about fundamentally adapting to a warmer world, or watching the literal heat chip away at its human capital and prosperity.
- [India-Taliban Bilateral Talks: A New Chapter in Regional Diplomacy](https://niice.org.np/archives/11811): The Indian diplomatic relations with the Taliban, whereby the Indian embassy in Kabul was reopened and the foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was visited, are an indicator of a critical turn in the Indian-Pakistani diplomacy.
- [The Contest for Digital Dominance in the Indo-Pacific](https://niice.org.np/archives/11802): The Indo-Pacific’s digital future will depend on how effectively regional states cooperate to build resilient infrastructure and shared governance norms.
- [The One Piece Pirate Flag: A Symbol of Freedom of Expression for Nepal, and Beyond](https://niice.org.np/archives/11796): When young protesters in Nepal wave a flag from a Japanese anime, they are not just borrowing from a distinct culture, but are instead blurring the differences of nationality, geography, and social backgrounds, choosing to unite over humankind! 
- [ Pakistan-Saudi Defence Pact and Implications on India](https://niice.org.np/archives/11793): A direct, strong action, including military action from Saudi Arabia against India, is highly improbable. But indirect consequences cannot be ruled out. 
- [A Calculated Break: What Golden Week Reveals about China’s Governance Model](https://niice.org.np/archives/11767): More than just a vacation, Golden Week (from Oct 1-7) in China is a state-produced performance of coordination that carefully ties control and consumption, offering rare insight into how China governs through time.
- [Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Pact: India’s Response](https://niice.org.np/archives/11788): The Riyadh-Islamabad collective defense pact between a nuclear-armed South Asian state and a West Asian giant is a catalyst event that is not just an answer to the security situation, but also shapes the South Asian security equation.
- [France-Nepal Cooperation and Collaboration in the Context of Diplomatic Anniversaries](https://niice.org.np/archives/11748): The 76th anniversary of France–Nepal diplomatic relations highlights a partnership that is modest in trade but rich in cultural, scientific, and environmental cooperation.
- [Digital Pessimism Regulation, Gen Z Revolutions, and the Indian Question](https://niice.org.np/archives/11739): India will have to make a choice, as Nepal has demonstrated, to understand rather than contain digital pessimism. Will India fear it—or embrace it? 
- [View from Kathmandu: What Nepal Protests Mean for Democracy Promotion in South Asia](https://niice.org.np/archives/11733): Nepal Genz protests are not unique but a part of a wider regional and international wave of protests calling for accountability, transparency, and democracy.
- [Nepal’s Democratic Crisis and Its Implications for South Asia and Global Order](https://niice.org.np/archives/11730): In essence, a fragile Nepal translates into a fragile South Asia and by extension, a more uncertain global environment.
- [China’s Infrastructure Diplomacy Near the Siliguri Corridor: Strategic Implications for India](https://niice.org.np/archives/11721): India’s long-term response must be multifaceted. Strengthening its own connectivity projects in the Northeast is one critical step.
- [From Dream to Dilemma: The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway in 2025](https://niice.org.np/archives/11718): The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is an unquestionably important project that could greatly improve regional connectivity and enhance India's engagement in Southeast Asia.
- [The U.S.-India Tariff War and Its Implications for International Politics](https://niice.org.np/archives/11702): 12 September 2025, NIICE Commentary 11702 Subarna Moni Pradhan In August 2025, the United States implemented a sweeping 50% tariff on a broad spectrum of Indian imports. These included textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, agricultural goods, and information technology products. The U.S. government justified this measure by expressing deep concerns regarding India's ongoing purchase of Russian oil. This occurred despite repeated diplomatic warnings and mounting international pressure, particularly from Western allies, to reduce such transactions. This bold and unprecedented action marked a dramatic turning point in U.S.-India relations. The relationship had previously been defined by decades of strategic cooperation, robust defense […]
- [Protest, Corruption, and the Fragile Path of Democratic Transition in South Asia](https://niice.org.np/archives/11715): The protest and uprising from Nepal to Bangladesh to Sri Lanka reflect the fundamental flaw in democratic structures and reveal the need to rebuild them.
- [Street Politics and Digital Revolts: what France and Nepal Tell us About Democracy](https://niice.org.np/archives/11696): The cases of France and Nepal illustrate how citizens take actions outside a parliamentary system when formal processes appear ineffective
- [From Demographic Dividend to Discontent: Youth Protests in South Asia](https://niice.org.np/archives/11692): South Asia’s young people have huge potential. The challenge is political leaders stepping up, committing to fairness, accountability, and opportunity.
- [China’s National Nature Reserves in the South China Sea](https://niice.org.np/archives/11683): The National Nature Reserve construction over a disputed feature, as part of the South China Sea, is the latest development in China’s South China Sea policy.
- [From Cairo to Kathmandu: Corruption, Youth Aspirations and Politics of Upheaval](https://niice.org.np/archives/11675): South Asia’s youth share common grievances: limited opportunities, corruption, and a widening gulf between elite privilege and everyday struggle.
- [The Brahmaputra at the Crossroads: China’s Megadam and India’s Strategic Dilemma](https://niice.org.np/archives/11667): The lesson of the Three Gorges Dam is clear: the world ignored the warnings, and today its damage is irreversible. To repeat that mistake on the Brahmaputra would be disastrous.
- [How India-China Rapprochement will Shape Regional and Global Order ](https://niice.org.np/archives/11664): Since the Kazan BRICS Summit in October 2024, India and China have cautiously moved towards rapprochement through a series of steps.
- [CPEC 2.0 After India Outreach: China’s Strategic Moves in South Asia](https://niice.org.np/archives/11660): The CPEC 2.0 has a significantly different development toward becoming a framework that pushes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and now all the way to Afghanistan, effectively excluding New Delhi as part of the critical regional connectivity paths.
- [The Chinese Centrality: A Value Deeply Embedded in the Chinese Culture ](https://niice.org.np/archives/11655): India needs to understand the Chinese geopolitical aspirations and their desperation to come across as the leader of the Global South to establish Chinese centrality.
- [India’s Healthcare Outreach to Fiji](https://niice.org.np/archives/11651): All things considered, relations between India and Fiji share a robust historical past and a glorious recent present.
- [Global Data Governance: Why Data Sovereignty Matters for the Global South ](https://niice.org.np/archives/11647): Data sovereignty calls for a well-structured policy-making which will address the complexities of data privacy and security.
- [Caught in Limbo: The Anniversary of Rohingya Displacement](https://niice.org.np/archives/11644): The Rohingya crisis is entering its ninth year. Bangladesh is playing generously, but this has not been possible for them for a long time.
- [Lipulekh: Trade, Borders, and the Renewed Controversy with Nepal](https://niice.org.np/archives/11633): Lipulekh is more than a strategic pass; it embodies the complex interplay of history, geography, and national aspirations in the Himalayas.
- [India’s Selective Protectionism as a Tool of Agricultural Sovereignty](https://niice.org.np/archives/11628): As India looks towards the future, it should plan its agricultural policies as much as possible around the WTO-sanctioned flexibilities, which bolster their legitimacy when the country argues its position in multilateral spaces.
- [China’s Rising Foreign Ministry: Practices and Representations of Assertive Diplomacy](https://niice.org.np/archives/11625): This book seeks to extend the knowledge of the “practice turn in IR to examine Chinese diplomacy, particularly its assertive diplomatic shift from 2009 to 2020”
- [The India–China "U-Turn": Reset or Strategic Pause?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11618): Unless New Delhi can turn this moment into real leverage - guaranteed commitments, exploited vulnerabilities, and more broadly, Indo-Pacific-oriented diplomacy, we are likely to find ourselves back in another circular pattern: another flare-up, another freeze, yet another staged thaw.
- [MCC Resumes in Nepal: Roads, Power, and Geopolitics](https://niice.org.np/archives/11612): The resumption of the MCC-Nepal compact represents more than a financial injection; it is a test of Nepal’s ability to harness international partnerships for national transformation.
- [India’s Blue Economy and the South Asian Dilemma: Sustainability or Geopolitics?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11609): The region will have to choose: will the blue economy form a connective tissue or a new fault line between prosperity and dependency?
- [A Trip Around the Sun: What a Year Has Changed Since the July Uprisings?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11603): As Bangladesh celebrates the first anniversary of its political turmoil, the way forward is indeterminate but has indelibly changed.
- [Bridging The Divide: Governing AI in a World of Fragmented Interests](https://niice.org.np/archives/11600): The need of the hour for nations is to cooperate and establish common standards and guidelines for the proliferation and use of AI.
- [The Transformation of Sovereignty in the Age of Terrorism and Digital Colonialism](https://niice.org.np/archives/11597): The rise of cyber-terrorism and the use of digital platforms for radicalization means that global cooperation in countering terrorism must extend into cyberspace.
- [Digital Diplomacy: Harnessing Soft Power in the 21st Century](https://niice.org.np/archives/11593): As we look to the future, public diplomacy and soft power projection in the digital age will continue to evolve and progress, driven by advantages in technology and shifting global dynamics.
- [India’s Energy Security](https://niice.org.np/archives/11590): The energy transition for India will be long and expensive; at the same time, there is no room for compromises to be made over the matter of India’s energy security.
- [Rise of anti-Semitism in Sri Lanka ](https://niice.org.np/archives/11548): In Arugam Bay, a sunny coastal town known for its pristine beaches in Sri Lanka, has now become the limelight of the Palestinian solidarity movement.
- [Urbanisation and Climate Distress in India's Tier 3 Cities: Lessons from Purnia, Bihar](https://niice.org.np/archives/11539): Purnia's transformation can be predominantly attributed to the influx of the rural population driven by aspirations for better education and healthcare.
- [Artificial Intelligence and the New Frontier of China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation](https://niice.org.np/archives/11534): Through initiatives like AI education, research hubs, and industry collaborations, China and Pakistan set a precedent for technological diplomacy that prioritises inclusivity and shared growth.
- [Contest for the Indo-Pacific: Why China Won’t Map the Future](https://niice.org.np/archives/11530): Medcalf’s Contest for the Indo-Pacific: Why China Won’t Map the Future is a significant addition to the scholarship of the Indo-Pacific.
- [The Art of War: A New Translation by Michael Nylan](https://niice.org.np/archives/11521): The insights shared by Sun Tzu are always applicable regardless of whether one is making a decision about his/her personal problems or taking decisions in boardrooms or even on the battlefield.
- [Trump’s Tariffs on India: Policy Blunder or Power Play?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11514): 31 July 2025, NIICE Commentary 11514 Sunil Kumar Chaudhary The world of international trade is a high-stakes driver of economic relations among the nations. The latest moves by the US have left observers wondering if they are witnessing a masterstroke or a miscalculation. The imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian goods, coupled with an unspecified “penalty” for India’s ongoing trade with Russia, has sent shockwaves through both economies. Is this an effort to rebalance a perceived unfair trade relationship, or is it a calculated power play designed to bend India to America’s will? The answer, it seems, is a […]
- [The Game of Cobalt Mining in the Indian Ocean Region](https://niice.org.np/archives/11511): The competition for cobalt mining within IOR is a reflection of the very nature of global transformation. The scramble needs a delicate balance between geostrategic goals and responsibility.
- [From Standoff to Structured Stability: The 34th WMCC and the Quiet Diplomacy of Border Management](https://niice.org.np/archives/11503): The 34th WMCC meeting represents a generational shift, moving towards pre-crisis capabilities and efficiency with "peace and tranquility" as defined space of negotiations, not resolutions.
- [India-UK Vision 2035: Building Partnership for a New Era](https://niice.org.np/archives/11500): The UK and India, besides their colonial past, have set the tone of their future course of action as part of India-UN Vision 2035.
- [The Refugees We Forgot: South Asia’s Crisis of Belonging and India’s Colonial Ghosts](https://niice.org.np/archives/11496): The migration policy of South Asia should be decolonised, and that would involve recognising the history and trying to reverse the impact.
- [My Life with the Taliban](https://niice.org.np/archives/11493): Abdul Salam Zaeef (2011) My Life with the Taliban, Hurst. Aniruddha Babar “I was a Talib, I am a Talib, and I will always be a Talib, but I have never been a part of al-Qaeda.” With these unequivocal words, Abdul Salam Zaeef sets the tone for his deeply personal and politically charged memoir, My Life with the Taliban. The book intertwines Zaeef’s personal journey with an insider’s perspective on the Taliban’s rise, ideology, and struggles., Zaeef provides a window into Afghanistan’s complex socio-political landscape, challenging dominant Western portrayals of the Taliban. Far from a typical ideological exposition, Co-written with […]
- [India's Nuclear Policy](https://niice.org.np/archives/11488): Although India has reason to celebrate over the US-backed global recognition of its status as a responsible nuclear weapons power, it also has reason to worry about nuclear proliferation, particularly about China and Pakistan.
- [Algorithmic Bias and the Politics of Justice: Toward Equitable AI Governance in the Indo-Pacific](https://niice.org.np/archives/11484): If the Indo-Pacific is to lead the world in democratic, equitable technology governance, it must begin by asking not merely what AI can do—but for whom, by whom, and at what cost
- [From Historical Colonialism to Neo-Colonialism: The Role of Data in the Digital Age](https://niice.org.np/archives/11471): Colonisation itself is not a one-time phenomenon but rather a continuing phenomenon, and the roots of colonisation remain.
- [Russia’s Re-engagement in Africa: A Decadal Overview](https://niice.org.np/archives/11467): The intervention of a foreign country such as Russia will only exacerbate the situation and will lead to instability in the long run, given the deep involvement of Russia.
- [India rebukes NATO Secretary General over crude oil imports from Russia](https://niice.org.np/archives/11464): India’s defiance is not merely an oil arithmetic. It is an assertion of moral agency, economic rationale, and diplomatic conviction.
- [The Sunderbans: Climate Change, Conservation and Displacement ](https://niice.org.np/archives/11444): The Sundarbans has been in the spotlight of the global climate crisis, subject to frequent and destructive cyclones, riverbank erosion, rising sea levels and increasing salinization.
- [Impact of India-Pakistan Tensions on SAARC Effectiveness after the Pahalgam Terror Attack](https://niice.org.np/archives/11436): The India-Pakistan tensions, exacerbated by the Pahalgam terror attack, have severely impacted SAARC's effectiveness.
- [The Western Alliance Is Falling Apart  and It’s Not Russia’s Fault](https://niice.org.np/archives/11430): The West is at a crossroads. It can be a pact of convenience that relies on inertia and necessity to hang together, or it can pledge itself to a vision of the community formed around principles.
- [Mineral Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific: QUAD cooperation for Supply Chain Resilience](https://niice.org.np/archives/11422): 6 July 2025 , NIICE Commentary 11422 Kaveri Jain The global demand for critical minerals has surged in tandem with the rapid expansion of industries such as digital technology, clean energy, defense, aerospace and electric vehicles (EVs). Critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, graphite, copper, nickel and Rare Earth Elements (REEs - a group of 17 metallic elements), are essential for modern technologies from wind turbines and consumer electronics to semiconductors and guided missiles. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China is the dominant player in the processing and refining of almost all critical minerals, presently holding 45% of the […]
- [The ‘3+3’ Gambit: Russia’s Quest for Regional Leverage in the South Caucasus](https://niice.org.np/archives/11418): While still a key player, Russia's influence is challenged by other powers and the assertiveness of South Caucasus states.
- [China’s Acting West: Building a Win-Win Cooperative Regime](https://niice.org.np/archives/11409): China or the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s engagement with Europe has witnessed an upward trajectory in the last few years in spite of geopolitical mis-calculation.
- [Small States, Big Stakes: The Future of South Asian Neutrality in an Era of Strategic Alignments](https://niice.org.np/archives/11399): The reinterpretation of non-alignment by South Asia’s small states carries profound implications for the broader regional architecture.
- [US Typhoon Missile System in the Philippines: A Parallel to the Cuban Missile Crisis?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11395): The Cuban crisis was a result of the urge of the superpowers to increase their sphere of influence in different parts of the world and show their dominance. However, the world is now heading to a multipolar world order.
- [Shifting Tariff Sands: How India Can Recalibrate Its Trade Compass Amidst the U.S. Protectionist Pivot?](https://niice.org.np/archives/11384): India, with its expanding global footprint and aspirations to become a manufacturing powerhouse, must now navigate the shifting sands of U.S. tariff policies with both caution and creativity.
- [Mahakali River Treaty: A Critical Analysis Of India-Nepal River Diplomacy](https://niice.org.np/archives/11378): As nations increasingly depend on large dams along shared rivers to counteract the effects of climate change, international water law plays a crucial role in ensuring the equitable and reasonable use of water resources.
- [Safeguarding Human Rights in AI Governance: A Global Political Imperative](https://niice.org.np/archives/11374): Without some form of global structure that pivots on human rights at its centre, AI will only serve power, and not the people.
- [India’s Dilemma in Acceding to the Hague Convention: Parental Rights, Child Welfare, and International Obligations](https://niice.org.np/archives/11366): India's refusal to join the Hague Convention is indicative of its dedication to putting the welfare of children first in complex custody cases, particularly those involving domestic abuse.
- [79th UN General Assembly: Global Challenges and  Multilateral Cooperation](https://niice.org.np/archives/11361): 26 June 2025, NIICE Commentary 11361 Ruvika Pradhan  A Vital component of the UN system, the UNGA facilitates discussion and cooperation among countries by allowing them to voice their perspectives, share best practices, and provide resolutions on pressing global challenges. On an annual basis, the UNGA is co-convened via debates, plenary sessions, interactive dialogues, resolution sessions, and high-level meetings in the presence of international leaders. In dire need of global cooperation, the 79th UNGA brought together diplomatic representatives, government officials, advocates, and activists from 193 countries to harness the power of multilateralism and global diplomacy to address a range of […]
- [The Myth of American Benevolence: Trump and the Unmasking of U.S. Foreign Policy](https://niice.org.np/archives/11350): 25 June 2025, NIICE Commentary 11350 Abhimanyu Bhardwaj For decades, it has been believed—or at least vigorously propagated—that the United States functions as a global force for good. The narrative of American exceptionalism has served as the ideological backbone of U.S. foreign policy since the Second World War. As Charles Krauthammer asserted in Things That Matter, “If someone invades your house, you call the cops. Who do you call if someone invades your country? You dial Washington... In the unipolar world, the closest thing to a centralized authority, is America—American power.” In this view, the U.S. was not just a […]
- [United Nations: A Path to Sustainable Peace? Challenges, Mechanisms and Power Politics](https://niice.org.np/archives/11346): The UN has still come through while the League of Nations no longer exists; however, it is still confronting the same main problem that it has been dealing with for a long time: seeking to harmonize power politics with the tenets of multilateralism.

## Pages

- [Password Reset](https://niice.org.np/password-reset)
- [Account](https://niice.org.np/account)
- [Logout](https://niice.org.np/logout)
- [Members](https://niice.org.np/members)
- [Register](https://niice.org.np/register)
- [Login](https://niice.org.np/login)
- [South Asia in the Post-Pandemic World: Challenges and Opportunities](https://niice.org.np/south-asia-in-the-post-pandemic-world-challenges-and-opportunities): Call for an Edited Book South Asia in the Post-Pandemic World: Challenges and Opportunities The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most disastrous events of the current times. It has altered the human behavior and interaction in an unprecedented manner. While the health infrastructure of developed countries was shaken to the core, it was the underdeveloped and developing countries that had to face the horrendous brunt of the pandemic. The South Asian region which has a thin public health infrastructure faced massive challenges during the pandemic. The sub-continent had to learn to cope with the pandemic not only on […]
- [The Evolving Power Dynamics in South Asia: From Hard Power to Soft Power to Smart Power](https://niice.org.np/the-evolving-power-dynamics-in-south-asia-from-hard-power-to-soft-power-to-smart-power): Call for an Edited Book titled “The Evolving Power Dynamics in South Asia: From Hard Power to Soft Power to Smart Power” The South Asian Subcontinent has remained a theatre of power politics since the colonial times. The dynamics of power in South Asia has its own flavor which ranges from hard power to soft power and is evolving into, what scholars now refer to as, smart power. The key ideas that this book aims to capture revolve around these themes. The use of hard power in South Asia has remained prevalent in both the colonial and the post-colonial times. […]
- [Role of International Organisations in the Changing World Order](https://niice.org.np/role-of-international-organisations-in-the-changing-world-order): Call for Chapter for an Edited Book Role of International Organisations in the Changing World Order The current world order is witnessing a change in political order. In addition to the pandemic, there has been an outcry of a revival of Cold War spirit. The ramifications are visible in the emerging group politics and an evident rise in the alliances around the world. In the midst of the political, economic and basic medical challenges, how will the world rise above the differences? What role do the international organisations play in the current dynamics? Do international organisations guarantee peace and security […]
- [Democracy Deficit: Challenges and Prospects of Democracy in South Asia](https://niice.org.np/democracy-deficit-challenges-and-prospects-of-democracy-in-south-asia): Call for Chapters in Edited Book Democracy Deficit: Challenges and Prospects of Democracy in South Asia There exists no concrete or sole South Asian understanding of ‘Democracy’. Within its own diversity, commonalities and contradictions, South Asian nations' abstraction of democracy is influenced by their history, customs and values. Over the years, democratic political systems in the region have produced many forms of government. Today, all the nations in the region have embraced democracy in their own way and all forms have been accepted within the framework of democracy. The South Asian nations in recent history have witnessed both democratic upsurge […]
- [Call for Papers for an Edited Book Small States in South Asia: Power Rivalries, Pandemic Politics and Security Aspirations](https://niice.org.np/call-for-papers-for-an-edited-book-small-states-in-south-asia-power-rivalries-pandemic-politics-and-security-aspirations): Call for Papers for an Edited Book Small States in South Asia: Power Rivalries, Pandemic Politics and Security Aspirations The book will focus on the 21st Century realities that are shaping and driving policy orientations of the small states of South Asia such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lank, Maldives and others. The current literature is predominantly driven by a set of narratives that focus on Sino Indian rivalry, Indo Pak relations and the impact of extra regional players from China, USA, Japan, Australia relations primarily driven by maritime security discourse. The focus on the region has mainly been from a […]
- [JOURNAL OF SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (JSIS)](https://niice.org.np/jsis): Journal of Security and International Studies (JSIS) is the flagship journal of the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE). JSIS strives to publish prominent scholarship that engrosses with substantial academic, pragmatic, and normative themes in Security and International Studies with the special focus on Asia. Articles published in JSIS aims to move beyond the boundaries of state borders and deeply engage in political, security, economic and social progressions in a meaningful way. They intended to deliver answers through descriptive conundrums, contemporary innovative study and at the same time discover subject matters in international security and relation theories. JSIS […]
- [User](https://niice.org.np/user)
- [China’s Belt and Road Initiative](https://niice.org.np/research-topics/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative): China is dominating the new world order with its economic might. It is constantly expanding its influence around the world with its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by connecting Asia with Africa and Europe via Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road networks. The topic principally attempts to trace China’s development projects around the world and bring high-caliber intellectual analysis, develop in-depth academic research providing professional research findings and recommendations regarding the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
- [CONTACT US](https://niice.org.np/contact-us): 
- [PARTNERS](https://niice.org.np/partners)
- [NIICE VIEWCASTS](https://niice.org.np/publications/niice-viewcasts)
- [SUPPORT US](https://niice.org.np/join-us/support-us): As an independent think tank, NIICE is committed to undertake independent research and activities on issues of International Relations, Foreign Policy, Security Studies and issue of Development, conducive to world at large and Nepal in particular. NIICE is a non-profit organization that relies on its supporters and members; support of any form (financial, academic contributions) will be highly appreciated and are crucial to deliver the mission of our organization.
- [BE A MEMBER](https://niice.org.np/join-us/be-a-member): NIICE is looking to expand its membership, it envisions being inclusive and representative of people from different age groups and professions (diplomacy, academia, politics, the media, civil society, and students). It provides an open platform for people wanting to join a varied and influential network of enthusiasts taking passionate interest in global affairs, who value the opportunities to share and develop ideas on pressing international issues. The membership will be of two different types: Individual membership (researchers, practitioners, students) Organizational membership (knowledge-creating institutions, affiliation with Think tanks, NGO’s, Research Institutes) An annual Institute membership covers: Member registration and invitation to […]
- [VISITING FELLOWSHIP](https://niice.org.np/join-us/visiting-fellowship): The Visiting Fellowship Programme is a residential fellowship programme that invites scholars working on subjects relevant to the field of International Relations, Foreign Policy, Security Studies and issue of Development. The researchers working in reputed international think tanks, policy research institutes and universities are accepted as Visiting Fellow: The duration of the Visiting Fellowship would be one-three months. Fellows are expected to write an original research paper (4000-6000 words) and Commentaries (800-1200 words) for NIICE website. They will also be engaged with other research activities. NIICE offers office space, accommodation (single room without Kitchen facilities) and access to the Institute’s […]
- [INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME](https://niice.org.np/join-us/internship-programme): NIICE welcomes applications from outstanding universities students pursuing studies in Political Science, History, International Relations, or related fields. The immersive internship programme offers students an opportunity to observe geopolitical and security developments from a Nepalese perspective, training in policy analysis and writing, and facilitates their access to Nepal’s strategic community. Interns are required to assist Research Faculty in their research, write event reports, contribute original writing on contemporary geopolitical issues for the website, assist in administrative work, edit documents and web content, and perform other duties as assigned. Candidates should be highly motivated to learn the job, work under stressful […]
- [WORK WITH US](https://niice.org.np/join-us/work-with-us): NIICE recruits’ experts at various levels – Research Associate, Visiting Fellows and Research Interns. In addition, NIICE also offers opportunities at the levels of Distinguished Fellows. Based on its requirements, NIICE advertises vacancies at various levels. There are no vacancies at this time.
- [WRITE FOR US](https://niice.org.np/join-us/contribute): NIICE seeks Commentaries, Research Papers, Policy Briefs and Book Reviews on issues related to International Relations, Foreign Policy, Security Studies and issue of Development. The Commentaries should be of about 800-1200 words and should be well researched and well analyzed. Similarly, the length of Research Paper and Book Review should be 4000-6000 and 750-1500 words respectively. NIICE follows an independent editorial policy as NIICE is an independent, apolitical and non-partisan think tank. NIICE envisions a world, where sources of insecurity are identified and understood, conflicts are prevented or resolved, and peace is advocated. It believes in freedom, democracy and conflict free […]
- [JOIN US](https://niice.org.np/join-us)
- [ABOUT US](https://niice.org.np/about-us): ABOUT NIICE Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) is an independent, apolitical and non-partisan think tank based in Nepal, which believes in freedom, democracy and a world free from conflict. We envision a world, where sources of insecurity are identified and understood, conflicts are prevented or resolved, and peace is advocated. It was registered under the Companies Act 2006 of Nepal in February 2016.     OBJECTIVES Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) was formed to meet the following objectives: To undertake independent research and activities on issues of International Relations, Foreign Policy, Security Studies and […]
- [VIDEO GALLERY](https://niice.org.np/videos)
- [PHOTO GALLERY](https://niice.org.np/photo-gallery)
- [PREVIOUS EVENTS](https://niice.org.np/previous-events)
- [UPCOMING EVENTS](https://niice.org.np/upcoming-events)
- [EVENTS](https://niice.org.np/events)
- [EXPERTS](https://niice.org.np/experts)
- [NIICE EXPERTS IN THE MEDIA](https://niice.org.np/publications/experts-in-the-media): NIICE encourages the media to get in touch with our experts for interviews. To request an interview with them, please contact us by email at info.niice@gmail.com or call +977-9840383300.
- [BOOK REVIEWS](https://niice.org.np/publications/book-reviews)
- [BOOKS](https://niice.org.np/publications/books):        
- [RESEARCH PAPERS](https://niice.org.np/publications/research-papers)
- [COMMENTRIES](https://niice.org.np/publications/commentries)
- [PUBLICATIONS](https://niice.org.np/publications)
- [Refugee and Migration](https://niice.org.np/research-topics/refugee-and-migration): The issue of Refugee and Migration in the current context can no longer be understood and analyzed in terms of their common and traditional perceptions. These topics has been coming out at a time of mounting public concern regarding growing refugee crisis, migratory pressures and emergence of different forms of population movement due to scarcity, poverty, climate change, war and other forms of violence. Hence the research as a whole along with maintaining an extensive archive of developments on both issues centers on understanding of population movements considering current and future forms of international migrations, their inter-dependencies with globalization, assessment […]
- [Disaster Management](https://niice.org.np/research-topics/disaster-management): Considering the fact that all the South Asian member states are highly prone to hydro-meteorological and geological hazards such as floods, landslides, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, heat waves, avalanches and tsunamis, the topic will bring into attention the issues relating to disaster, the aftermath and the adopted policies and dealings. When it comes to the economic vulnerability countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh illustrates the largest losses, where poverty exposed population and absence of preparedness can be accredited to the susceptibility to the disasters precipitated by natural hazards.
- [International Economy and Development](https://niice.org.np/research-topics/international-economy-and-development): Under this topic, the research seeks to enhance the understanding and alongside study the contemporary and developing issues pertaining to international economy and development in diverse countries. The developing economies at present predominantly in the East and South Asian regions remains on a relatively strong growth trajectory amid the robust domestic demand conditions whereas the global economy on the other hand is facing a confluence of risks, which could severely disrupt economic activity and inflict significant damage on longer-term development prospects. The research primarily addresses such developments and challenges, concentrating on the existing and emerging economic policies, economic growth and […]
- [Defence and Security](https://niice.org.np/research-topics/defence-and-security): Defense and Security at its very core attempts to explore the liaison between politics and the several kinds of military power, from the use of terror by small, non-state groups to the susceptible use of nuclear weapons. The scholars of the respective center bring forward the blend of contemporary strategic and trenchant case studies transcending the conventional wisdom offering the recommendations that are ultra-practicable. Bringing in various multidisciplinary, critical, and regional expertise, the analysis presented won’t solely rely on straight-line predictions but rather will consider the full range of possibilities and anticipate a broad scope of plausible outcome. The analysis […]
- [Global Governance, Sustainable Development and Smart Cities](https://niice.org.np/research-topics/global-governance-sustainable-development-and-smart-cities): The topic basically deals with the issues converging global governance, Sustainable Development and the emerging concept of smart cities in South Asia. It covers the structural, institutional, and normative challenges and issues of the current global order precisely South Asia. Likewise, the topic also touches upon the concept of sustainability extending extensively in the areas such as health, education, freedom, equality, climate change, clean energy and green economy providing a wealth of insights to its readers.
- [Climate Change and Energy](https://niice.org.np/research-topics/climate-change-and-energy): Climate change and the production and consumption of energy from fossil fuels are closely related. In order to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions, it is necessary to change the world’s energy model. Fighting climate change requires an urgent transition towards a sustainable development model based on efficiency and equity, as well as a decided commitment regarding renewable energy. The issues related to Climate Change, Energy and their inter-relations are important research area.
- [Border and Trans-Boundary Water Politics](https://niice.org.np/research-topics/border-and-trans-boundary-water-politics): The issue of border and trans-boundary water politics has a significant role in shaping the intensities of conflict and cooperation at national and international level. Trans-boundary water resources can be described as water shared across political, economic, or social boundaries.  Shared border and water resources have always been a potential source of competition. They are the settings for different collaborative decisions which come with their own political, socio-economic and environmental implications. The research topic makes a closer examination of the different elements in trans-boundary water and border conflicts, border encroachments, sheds light on the challenges concerning the management of border […]
- [RESEARCH TOPICS](https://niice.org.np/research-topics)
- [INDO-PACIFIC AFFAIRS](https://niice.org.np/research-centers/indo-pacific-affairs): Indo-Pacific Affairs has emerged as a major center of geo-strategic interest. As a political and strategic concept, it has gradually established in the foreign policy lexicon of some countries, especially the United States, India, Japan and Australia. Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs focus on Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean.  
- [NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY STUDIES](https://niice.org.np/research-centers/non-traditional-security-studies): Non-traditional Security Studies addresses the mounting non-traditional issues and challenges in the South Asian region arising from non-military sources, such as Climate Change, Irregular Migration, Terrorism, Resource Wars, Disaster Management, Drug Trafficking, Transnational Crime etc. Factors as such are the security challenges that aren’t considered mainstream and are emerging as dynamics in conflict therefore affecting the national and international security becoming a part of non-traditional security issues that has emerged as the greatest challenges of 21st century.  
- [NEIGHBOURHOOD STUDIES](https://niice.org.np/research-centers/neighbourhood-studies): Neighborhood Studies looks at the range of cross-cutting issues such as political developments, economic activities, cross-border activities and foreign affairs related issues and security surfacing in its immediate neighbors – India and China – in addition to its extended neighbors such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives. The study focuses to explore and identify emerging priorities in the neighborhood and generate evidence and analysis.  
- [CHINA STUDIES](https://niice.org.np/research-centers/china-studies):   China Studies as a whole brings into perspective the rising power's mounting economic, military and diplomatic clout that certainly has the aptitude to either overturn or sustain the current contemporary world order. The Center broadly examines China's international strategic thinking and conduct, foreign and security policy, and the impact of domestic politics and economy on China's foreign relations. It further addresses China's emergence in the face of the world in flux, domestic politics, economy, society, culture, People's Liberation Army and Tibet Autonomous Region and most importantly her engagement with each of South Asian country.    
- [Research Centers](https://niice.org.np/research-centers): RESEARCH CENTERS CHINA STUDIES China Studies as a whole brings into perspective the raising power’s mounting economic, military and diplomatic clout that certainly has the aptitude to either overturn or sustain the current contemporary world order. The center broadly examines China’s international strategic thinking and conduct, foreign and security policy, and the impact of domestic politics and economy on China’s foreign relations. It further addresses China’s emergence in the face of the world in flux, domestic politics, economy, society, culture, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Tibet autonomous region and most importantly her engagement with each of South Asian country. SECURITY […]
- [Home](https://niice.org.np/)
- [Forums](https://niice.org.np/forums)
- [Testimonials](https://niice.org.np/testimonials)
- [Masonry](https://niice.org.np/news/masonry)
- [Event Calendar](https://niice.org.np/events-2/event-calendar): [tmm_events_calendar show_tooltip_image="1" show_tooltip_time="1" show_tooltip_place="1" show_tooltip_desc="1" tooltip_desc_symbols_count="30" sc_id="sc371536288538"]
- [Gallery](https://niice.org.np/gallery)
- [Events](https://niice.org.np/events-2): [tmm_events_list events_count="5" sorting="DESC" period_selector_amount="6" show_period_selector="1" sc_id="sc340226805538"]
- [News](https://niice.org.np/news)
- [Typography](https://niice.org.np/typography)


[comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)