Nihar R. Nayak

Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s commentary on ‘Kashmir Conundrum: Pakistan’s Obsessions and India’s Challenges’ has been published by the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict, on September 13, 2019.

As India comes under both domestic and international pressure to remove restrictions in Kashmir, Pakistan sponsored street demonstrations, stone-pelting and terrorist attacks could follow once the restrictions are removed. The region has already witnessed 41,000 casualties in the last three decades. A new round of violence and conflict in Kashmir could escalate the ongoing tension in the region both at the diplomatic level and at the border, writes Dr. Nayak.

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• Published: 13 September, 2019

Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s article on Nepal’s BRI Policy, titled ‘Nepal-China BRI Conundrum’ has been published by the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), a foreign policy think-tank in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 29, 2019.

Given the revival of US policy on the Himalayan region, India’s reservations over BRI and China’s hidden agenda behind selecting specific projects under the BRI, Nepal’s desire to take benefits from BRI could be delayed further. Instead of completely depending on the BRI, Nepal could explore other options to achieve its developmental aspirations, writes Dr. Nayak.

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• Published: 29 May, 2019

Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s article on New Modi Government’s foreign policy and Nepal was published in ‘Nepal News’ on May 29, 2019.

Dr Nayak writes that the foreign policy of NDA-II on neighborhood will be broadly guided by ‘neighbourhood first policy’ and ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikash Sabka Vikaas’, to win the confidence of smaller countries to a newer height. The new government will continue its policy of South Asia as shared zone of prosperity, which synchronizes with Nepali PM’s vision of ‘Samriddha Nepal, Sukhi Nepal’.

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• Published: 29 May, 2019

Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Nihar Nayak’s Article on Bhutan’s BRI Policy, titled ‘Bhutan Says No to BRI’ was published by the All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an external services division of AIR, on April 20, 2019.

Bhutan’s decision on BRI indicates that there is a coincidence of views between India and Bhutan over this issue. It also suggests that there has been no major change in Bhutan’s foreign policy under the new government in Thimphu, writes Dr Nayak.

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• Published: 20 April, 2019

Voters in Bhutan have shown their political maturity by bringing in a new government, which is an indicator of growing awareness about their rights and their role in holding governments to account.

• Published: November 12, 2018
• Issue Brief

Nepal’s quest for an alternate transit country with a view to reducing its dependence on India succeeded with the finalisation of the text for the Protocol of Transit Transport Agreement with China on September 7, 2018.

• Published: September 27, 2018
• Issue Brief

The purposes of the visit have been achieved and a new phase of relationship has begun with India acknowledging Nepal as an ‘equal partner’.

• Published: April 11, 2018
• IDSA Comments

Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Nihar Nayak’s article on Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia’s conviction, titled ‘Khaleda Zia’s Conviction Will Only Add to Bangladesh’s Internal Political Chaos’ was published in ‘The Wire’ on February 16, 2018. The article analyses how the verdict may push the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party into further crisis, clearing the way for the Awami League to form government in Dhaka again.

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• Published: 16 February, 2018

Research Fellow IDSA, Dr Nihar Nayak’s article on the opening of Bhutan’s second consulate office in India, titled ‘India's New Gateway to Bhutan’ was published in ‘The Diplomat’ on February 8, 2018.

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• Published: 8 February, 2018

Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Nihar Nayak’s commentary on Nepal elections, titled ‘What Nepal’s Elections Say About its Foreign Policy’ was published in South Asian Voices on December 12, 2017.

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• Published: 12 December, 2017