By Ramindu Perera
“Is there any reason why we in India should inherit the age-long rivalry of England against Russia? That is based on the greed and covetousness of British imperialism and our interests surely lie in ending this imperialism and not in supporting and strengthening it”
Jawaharlal Nehru (1929)
The recent meeting between Indian…
By Deshani Samaragunarathna
While Rishi Sunak's recent resignation after a disappointing loss may raise questions, it's noteworthy that Sir Keir Starmer, in his first address, specifically acknowledged him as "the first British Asian Prime Minister of our country." This, along with Kamala “Devi” Harris serving as US Vice President, highlights a growing trend of diaspora…
By Minoli Gunarathna
The recent UK general election has yielded profound changes with substantial implications for both domestic and international politics. Keir Starmer's Labour Party has emerged victorious, achieving a historic landslide win that signals the end of the Conservative Party's 14-year reign.
Labour now controls nearly two-thirds of the seats in the 650-seat House…
By Aakil Riyaz
News outlets were recently in a frenzy over Putin’s recent visit to North Korea. Reports of a pact between the Russian premier Vladimir Putin and the supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) initially led to much speculation.
These rumors were not without a basis. It was later revealed…
By Aavin Abeydeera
On June 1, the world’s largest democratic exercise came to a close. India’s general elections ran for seven weeks through six weeks from the April 19 to June 1, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA coalition once more coming on top.
However, this time around, Prime Minister Modi’s government will not…
By Nilanthan Niruthan
The unexpected and tragic death of Ebrahim Raisi reveals the true brutality of geopolitics. While basic compassion dictates that we mourn the loss of human life first, almost all the media coverage on his death has focused instead on the political ramifications of the tragedy.
Although unfortunate, this is also inevitable. Iran…
By Uditha Devapriya
At the time of his death on May 19, in a helicopter crash that has yet to be fully investigated, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had risen through the ranks. Sanctioned by the West and nicknamed the “Butcher of Tehran” for his uncompromising attitude to protesters, he was seen as the successor to…
By Lahiru S. Thilakarathna
Let us first look at what is meant by the term "to be literate" on any given subject. Literacy in a subject encompasses the ability to understand and critically evaluate information related to the topic, as well as the capacity to apply this knowledge in practical or relevant contexts.
As our…
By Uditha Devapriya
In the face of growing unrest, turmoil, and chaos, the military junta governing Myanmar decided last week to move Aung San Suu Kyi – the democratically elected leader ousted in a coup in 2021 – into house arrest.
The decision stemmed ostensibly from concerns over her health: Suu Kyi is 78, and…
By P. K. Balachandran
There is hullabaloo in India over the tiny and uninhabited Kachchativu island in the Palk Strait. It was triggered earlier this month by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the supremo of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
To everyone’s surprise, Modi accused the opposition Congress party of giving…
By Kividi Koralage
Thailand, an emerging economy that has experienced various challenges in adopting a foreign policy in the contemporary world, over China's rise in power and civil unrest in Myanmar, has remained committed to a policy of economic diplomacy.
Thailand's foreign policy has been described as “bamboo diplomacy.” This policy has assisted the country…
By Minoli Gunarathna
The South China Sea has long been a simmering pot of territorial disputes, with multiple countries laying claim to various islands, reefs, and maritime features.
Recently, tensions have flared between the Philippines and China, with the Philippine Senate passing the Maritime Zones Bill. This aims to solidify the Philippines' claims in the…