Civil Society and China: Shrinking Space, More Need for Dialog

Civil society in China is diverse and in a state of upheaval. While organizations in the country act quickly and effectively in crises such as earthquakes and epidemics, from an international perspective they tend to act covertly and hand-in-hand with the state. Their approach arises from a different understanding of civil society engagement and a restrictive legal framework, which was extended to civil society exchanges with other countries in 2017. A report on—and an attempt to mediate between – shrinking civil society spaces and the growing need for dialog with China

From Kabul to Kyiv, Pakistan’s persistent diplomatic course

On February 23, Pakistan’s Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan arrived in Moscow for a two-days visit. According to open sources, the PM’s Russia trip was for a ‘exchange of views on major regional and international issues’1, aiming at a reset of bilateral ties and ‘expanding cooperation in the energy sector’. When opening the discussions, Imran Khan chose a remarkably peculiar statement. Referring to the then current situation, he said: ‘What a time I have come, so much excitement’. Putin’s “bullying” of the Ukraine reached at that very moment and once again a dramatic peak (after the illegal annexation of Ukrainian Crimea in 2014). Even before Khan’s departure to Moscow it was well-known that Russia is again taking unprovoked, coercive measures against Ukraine. For example, the unacceptable threatening of the Ukrainian government and its people by a massive build-up of forces along the country’s borders, or pushing the level of violations to the Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty to new heights. Making the situation worse, just a few hours after Khan’s dubious remark, Russia conducted a full-scale invasion of its neighbor, an independent European country. As such, it does not come by surprise that Khan’s appearance in Moscow raised criticisms. […

Bangladesh in 2022: Revisiting Ancestral Secularism and Promoting Religious Pluralism

Recently, Bangladesh celebrated its half-century of independence and victory, the Golden Jubilee, with great ceremony and circumstance. The birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of Bangladesh, was also celebrated with due dignity. On this crucial double occasion, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has administered oaths simultaneously all over the country (United News of Bangladesh, 2021). All of the nation’s citizenry shared the vision of a new Bangladesh, a Bangladesh that is corruption-free, non-communal and democratic. In other words, a future Bangladesh built in the light of the principles and ideals of the Father of the Nation - towards his Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal). […

Facts Versus Falsehoods: Decoding the Gandhi-Bose Relationship

Indian History vehemently celebrates two particular days of the Year: 26th January and 15th August. One is Republic Day, wherein the coveted Indian Constitution was enforced: the other is Independence Day (when the country was liberated from prolonged colonial rule). The literature surrounding the Indian National Struggle particularly focuses on a few selected leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and others. Although some texts and civil society groups categorically shift the focus on others who also have contributed to the movement, these ‘others’ have so far been overlooked and most likely forgotten due to the several private interests at stake. One such forgotten leader is Subhas Chandra Bose, often referred as Netaji by his followers. This article intends to highlight Bose’s role in Indian History and uncover his relationship with Gandhi, the Father of the Nation

On the European Knowledge of Sanskrit

Lecture delivered in Hangchou Buddhist Academy (20.10.2018, revised January 2022

Bergbau in Indonesien: Der Preis des Wirtschaftswachstums

Wenn Sie ein Smartphone besitzen oder ein Elektroauto fahren, ist es wahrscheinlich, dass darin Erzminerale und Nickel aus Indonesien verbaut worden sind. Denn das südostasiatische Land ist reich an Rohstoffen, darunter Kohle, Kupfer, Gold, Zinn, Bauxit und Nickel. Diese Ressourcen machen Indonesien zu einem der größten Bergbauländer der Welt, dass seine Minerale in dutzende Länder rund um den Globus exportiert. Doch der Abbau hat auch Auswirkungen auf die lokale Bevölkerung und Umwelt

Stimmen aus der Ferne – Die Rolle der philippinischen Diaspora bei den Wahlen

Im Mai 2022 finden die nächsten Präsidentschafts- und Parlamentswahlen in den Philippinen statt und auch in der Diaspora ist der Wahlkampf in vollem Gange. Bereits 2016 zeigte sich, dass gerade die Stimmen der Auslands-Filipin@s entscheidend sein können. Nach sechs Jahren Präsidentschaft Rodrigo Dutertes und mit dem kommenden Ende seiner Amtszeit stellt sich die Frage, was die Menschen von den Wahlen 2022 erwarten. Für diesen Blickwechsel wurde in der Diaspora nachgefragt

Pakistan's new government challenges

After weeks of political turmoil, the opposition overthrew the government in Pakistan. In a no-vote of confidence, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan – who used every available means, mostly unconstitutional and illegal, to stay in power – was forced out of office. Opposition leader Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz/PML-N, member of an influential industrial-political dynasty and staunch critic of Khan, was elected as new PM. […

Regional Geopolitics and Sri Lankan Crisis: Options for India

Sri Lanka faces perhaps the greatest financial crises in the country’s history. Although such crisis is the outcome of much financial mismanagement, corruption, and lack of transparency in government, there are external factors involved as well. Due to its geo-strategic location, Sri Lanka much interests both China and India, who strongly compete for influence in the area. This article attempts to analyse the Sri Lankan crises from the perspective of a geopolitical struggle between China and India. It also focuses on providing information regarding the options for India in Sri Lanka

The end for Khan?

Pakistan is witnessing a most severe political crisis, as the government is strongly challenged by both state and society. It is not the first time that Imran Khan, as Pakistan’s Prime Minister (PM), is facing severe criticisms; it is not the first time that a wide array of oppositional forces gather to demand his resignation. Short-lived and unstable governments, the army’s and secret service’s dominant role in the country’s decision-making, and a growing leverage by Islamist forces within the institutional-administrative structure are most noteworthy characteristics of Pakistan’s political arena. In fact, the ousting of successive ruling administrations ‘is as old as Pakistan itself’. According to observers, almost all political and religious parties were involved in the toppling of governments in the past. PM Khan, too, faces frequent pressure from the opposition, Islamist clerics, and other domestic socio-political actors. […