South Asia and Beyond

Surya Gangadharan

Thirty eight years in journalism, widely travelled, history buff with a preference for Old Monk Rum. Current interest/focus spans China, Technology and Trade. Recent reads: Steven Colls Directorate S and Alexander Frater's Chasing the Monsoon. Netflix/Prime video junkie. Loves animal videos on Facebook. Reluctant tweeter.

Myanmar Army Not Yet Defeated Says Journalist Soe Myint

The Myanmar army has suffered enormous reverses in recent months with rebel groups gaining ground. But the army still controls bulk of the country and it remains to be seen if it can reverse the tide and regain the initiative. One point is clear: junta chief Gen Ming Aung Hlaing miscalculated when he thought the […]Read More

Israel Will Not Win War In Gaza, Vows Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah

“The Israeli army today is tired and exhausted on all fronts,” claims Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon’s Shia Hezbollah movement, “the enemy’s senior experts acknowledge the strategic losses.” In a televised address on Wednesday on the occasion of Ramadan and reported by Press TV, Nasrallah said last year’s October 7 Hamas attack on Israel was […]Read More

Netanyahu’s Leadership In Jeopardy Warns US Intel Report

CNN quoting a US intelligence report, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s viability as a leader is “in jeopardy”. “Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections,” the report said. “A […]Read More

US Intelligence Report Warns Of ‘Strategic Competition, Of Ambitious China’

The 2024 US Threat Assessment Report brought out by the US intelligence community, is in the context of what is described as “accelerating strategic competition among major powers, more intense and unpredictable transnational challenges and multiple regional conflicts with far reaching implications.” Key adversaries the report identifies range from “an ambitious but anxious China”, to […]Read More

India Developing Ambitious R&D Ecosystem In High Tech Sectors

You may have heard of India’s Quantum Mission but what about the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)? Also, the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster? These are some of the deep tech areas that are the subject of the government’s focus, the idea being to develop expertise, knowledge and skills for the future, a future that may […]Read More

Kim Jong Un May Think Twice About War With The South

North Korea’s mercurial leader Kim Jong Un has again threatened war on unnamed enemies. Addressing the armed forces recently, he urged them to spare no effort at training and ensure they are ready for war. The provocation for Kim’s remarks appears to stem from military exercises being conducted for the last week between the South […]Read More

India Pushes Trade & Economic Partnership With 4-Nation EFTA

India and the 4-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that groups Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland, are expected to sign an agreement very soon that could see $100 billion invested in India over 15 years, say reports in the pink papers. The deal could also open up the export of pharmaceutical goods to these countries, […]Read More