Anand Kumar

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Dr. Anand Kumar is an Associate Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. After completing his PhD from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on “Germany and UN Peacekeeping Operations in the post-Cold War Era”, he joined MP-IDSA in 2007. Over the years, Dr. Kumar has worked on strategic issues gaining reputation as a leading security expert. His areas of specialization at MP-IDSA are Counter-terrorism, South Asian politics, Bangladesh, Maldives, Proliferation of Small Arms and Low intensity conflicts. He has completed three projects at MP-IDSA: “Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Indo-Bangladesh Relations”, “Terrorism Challenges in Bangladesh”, “Bangladesh and Its Security Relationship with External Powers” and is currently engaged in studying “China as a Factor in the US Engagement with South Asia.” Before joining MP-IDSA, he worked at the South Asia Analysis Group on similar themes. He has also been with the Institute for Conflict Management which specializes on counter-terrorism. Dr. Kumar also has a good understanding of European and North American politics.

Dr. Kumar was a visiting professor and ICCR Chair (Indian Ocean Studies) in the University of Dar-Es-Salaam (UDSM) from November 2017 to November 2019. He worked in the department of political science and public administration. In UDSM he taught Counter-terrorism, regional integration, peacemaking and conflict resolution. He also closely followed issues related to African politics, economics and security.

Dr. Kumar has authored three books and has an edited volume. His latest book Bangladesh and Its Security Relationship with External Powers was published by K W Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi in 2021. His book on the Maldives entitled “Multi-party Democracy in the Maldives and the Emerging Security Environment in the Indian Ocean Region” was published by Pentagon Press, New Delhi in 2016. His first book Return from the Precipice: Bangladesh’s Fight against Terrorism, and the edited volume The Terror Challenge in South Asia and Prospect of Regional Cooperation were also published by Pentagon Security International, New Delhi. He has published over 30 research papers in reputed journals and edited books. He has delivered lectures on security issues both in India and abroad. He has participated and presented papers in national and international conferences. His article “Shaikh Hasina’s Visit to India and the future of Indo-Bangladesh Relations” was published by the Royal Society for Asia Affairs, London in their official journal Asian Affairs. He has published hundreds of articles in leading newspapers and magazines, including “Insurgency in South Asia muted by war on terror,” The Washington Times, January 16, 2004, and “The Jihadi Next Door,” The Washington Times, May 20, 2010.

Associate Fellow
Email: anand_rai@hotmail.com, anandkmrai@gmail.com
Phone: +91 11 2671 7983

Publication

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India for a Stable and Friendly Govt in Nepal

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Anand Kumar’s article ‘India for a stable and friendly Govt in Nepal’ has been published Daily Excelsior on 26 December 2022.

Ideally India would like political stability in Nepal and a government with which it can work with. China will obviously prefer Oli and support his endeavours to form the government. Recent boost in energy trade is a bright spot in India-Nepal relationship. At the same time India should also go for infrastructural development and people centric projects. In neighbourhood India should be ready to work with whichever government is in power, says Dr Kumar.

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  • Published: 26 December, 2022
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In the absence of water-sharing deal, India should help Bangladesh with Teesta water management

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Anand Kumar’s article ‘In the absence of water-sharing deal, India should help Bangladesh with Teesta water management’ has been published in South Asia Monitor on 23 September 2022.

Building a reservoir on the Teesta will help Bangladesh create a climate-resilient infrastructure which will be useful in better managing the common river water, says Dr Kumar.

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  • Published: 23 September, 2022
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India-Maldives ties set for consolidation, but China remains elephant in the room

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Anand Kumar’s article ‘India-Maldives ties set for consolidation, but China remains elephant in the room’ has been published in South Asia Monitor on 12 August 2022.

The India-Maldives bilateral relationship that has been on upswing after President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power was further strengthened by his latest visit to India. This was the third visit of President Solih to India since 2018 where an attempt was made to boost connectivity both within the Maldives and between India and the Maldives, says Dr Kumar.

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  • Published: 12 August, 2022
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Bangladeshi Women in UN Peacekeeping: A Case Study

The United Nations peacekeeping operations (UNPK) have been evolving continuously and Bangladesh as a country has been playing an important role in it. The country wants to remain a dominant contributor to UNPK even in future as the participation brings several advantages in military, diplomatic, economic and social arena. Meanwhile, it has also been realised that to make the UNPK more effective, women have to play an important role as there are certain functions which women can perform better.

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How the West’s sanctions on Russia are fuelling political and economic instability – and resentment – in South Asia

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar, Dr Anand Kumar’s opinion Piece ‘How the West’s sanctions on Russia are fuelling political and economic instability–and resentment–in South Asia’, has been published in South China Morning Post, on 20 July 2022.

Rather than hampering the Russian war effort against Ukraine, the sanctions imposed by the West appear to be affecting a large number of people across the developing world. South Asian countries are facing political and economic instability, so it’s hardly surprising that the sanctions are extremely unpopular among the people, says Dr Kumar.

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  • Published: 20 July, 2022
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Renewed Ties

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Anand Kumar’s article on India-Afghanistan relations ‘Renewed ties’ has been published in ‘The Statesman’ on 29 June 2022.

The Taliban’s coming back to power had posed a policy challenge to India and the country did not know what kind of relationship would be proper. But a few months down the line it appears that complete discontinuation of diplomatic relationship would be like leaving the field open for hostile powers like Pakistan and China. The presence of Taliban as rulers of Afghanistan is a reality and India has to find a way to navigate in the environment, says Dr Kumar.

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  • Published: 29 June, 2022