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 has structured a successful paradiplomatic model. Beijing alone has entered into sister-cities agreement with 55 other cities/ states. It is in a desperate need of a facelift, post the considerable erosion of public opinion due to the debacle of the virus spreading out of Wuhan. To this end, Chinese government, media houses and others are strategically using this relationship to highlight the humanitarian side of the country. ...
India-Japan relations post-COVID would develop in leaps and bounds with the help of new technologies and solutions supporting the two countries, the Indo-Pacific region and the world at large. India should also prepare itself for such opportunities by reforming the legal system to attract FDI and making flexible labour laws. ...
The governments, along with the activists, should put the safety of blue collared workers in the Gulf on priority. Similarly, in the long run, a plan needs to be drawn out for rehabilitation of workers, who want to return to South Asia ...
For strengthening the cybersecurity in Nepal, the guidelines governing the data protection, intellectual property, privacy, cybercrime and cyber terrorism should be established and revised in the judicial body. Besides, user awareness education and cyber insurance can complement technical mitigation strategies to reduce cyber threats in Nepal ...
China has seen an opportunity even in this crisis. It has proudly showcased their ability to handle such crisis that even several western countries are not able to respond properly. Similarly, it has continued to bolster its naval power even in times of crisis which bodes a competitive tendency in the New International Order rather than cooperation based on softer realms. ...
The US-Taliban agreement has tough road ahead and needs cooperation from the entire Afghan section for it to result in peace in the country. The US has been at the forefront of the 'democracy drive' in West Asia, but surprisingly, they have not asked Taliban to distance itself from violence outside Afghanistan ...
India should take lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic situation of the US and Europe. It should upgrade the existing health system with adequate equipment, staff and infrastructure. The Government should immediately scale up its expenditure in healthcare from 3.5 percent to 5 percent of its GDP. ...
COVID-19 Pandemic and the Search for Regional Cooperation in South Asi ...
The SAARC Centre for Disaster Management and Preparedness, SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre and SAARC Meteorological Research Centre should be entrusted to work together with member countries implementing the framework in context of regional cooperation within the mandate of the respective Regional Centre ...