MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#33: 30 JANUARY 2019 India’s Defence Diplomacy with Myanmar: State of Play Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract New Delhi’s strategic objectives in Myanmar remain important, yet ambigous. Firstly, the country is a lynchpin for India’s Act East policy. Secondly, it is a theatre where New Delhi is seeking to challenge the decades-old dominance of Beijing. […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#32: 26 DECEMBER 2018 India’s ‘Act East’ Policy: Impact on Mizoram and Manipur Safa Rahim – Abstract India’s ‘Look East’ policy which was recalibrated as the ‘Act East’ policy has focused on reducing the economic and physical isolation of the northeastern region of India. Several connectivity projects are being implemented and are making progress, albeit […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#31: 30 NOVEMBER 2018 Paresh Baruah’s ULFA: Signs of Revival Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract ULFA-Independent, which seeks independence of India’s northeastern state of Assam, and operates from its camps located in the ungoverned spaces of Myanmar, is on a comeback trail. Headed by veteran rebel leader Paresh Baruah, ULFA has not only executed few terror […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#27: 05 JULY 2018 Sri Lanka’s Cannabis Problem: Roots in India Bibhu Prasad Routray Abstract The volume of Ganja (cannabis) smuggling from India to Sri Lanka has risen significantly over the years. The demand for cannabis from Kerala in Sri Lanka has given rise to a robust supply chain that starts from states like […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#25: 15 MAY 2018 Narco Economy in Myanmar: From Opiates to ATS Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract Rising demand has transformed Myanmar into the prime producer of synthetic drugs. It’s a US$ 4 billion economy. Production of and trade in narcotics in Myanmar registers continuous growth in spite of a decrease in area of […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#11: 15 FEBRUARY 2017 Hindu migrants from Bangladesh: Assam’s souhaitable guests – Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract Assam’s demography could be changing again with a new trend of influx of Hindu migrants from Bangladesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party, in charge of the state government and New Delhi, insist that Assam is duty […]
MANTRAYA SPECIAL REPORT#07: 10 OCTOBER 2016 Why Kazakhstan learns from Singapore – Boh Ze Kai – Abstract Kazakhstan’s adoption of the Singaporean governance and economic model is a fascinating subject worth exploration. Focusing on the Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund, the civil service structure, and healthcare services in Kazakhstan, this article delves into examining how the […]
– MANTRAYA SPECIAL REPORT#05: 08 APRIL 2016 One Belt, One Road, One Singapore – Boh Ze Kai – Abstract In the 14th century, Mongol dominance in Asia resulted in the Pax Mongolica, a framework of peaceful trading relationships straddling the Maritime and Overland Silk Roads, allowing the Kingdom of Singapura to flourish into a wealthy […]
MANTRAYA SPECIAL REPORT#04: 11 MARCH 2016 Expanding Chinese Infrastructure on the Indian border – Jhinuk Chowdhury – Abstract Three key focus areas of China’s massive infrastructure build up along the Sino-Indian border are: integrating the border region to Chinese mainland, accessibility to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and strengthening counter offensive capabilities. This calls for […]
– MANTRAYA SPECIAL REPORT#03: 27 JANUARY 2016 Narco Diplomacy: Foreign Policy of the United Wa State Army – Boh Ze Kai – Abstract Once a remote, uncontrollable region, Shan State in North Myanmar is home to the ‘Wild’ Wa people, who make up 10percent of its population. Nonetheless, with 30,000 active soldiers, the United Wa State […]