This is an exclusive interview of Professor Wafula Okumu by Journalist & Columnist Seema Sengupta. Prof. Okumu is an expert on territorial disputes and Executive Director of The Borders Institute. He served in the African Union Border Programme and has authored several books on the challenges of peace, security and governance in Africa.
View More Will Congo Crisis Lead To Redrawing Of African Borders?
The Khalistani separatist movement is one of the most contentious issues in modern Indian history. Rooted in the demand for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, the movement primarily arose from Punjab’s socio-political dynamics. While its roots trace back to the mid-20th century, its implications are still evident today, both domestically and internationally.
View More Khalistani Movement: History, Challenges, and Modern Relevance
As urbanisation accelerates, Indian cities face growing threats of terrorism. Densely populated areas, critical infrastructure and symbolic landmarks make them prime targets for asymmetric warfare. The anonymity offered by urban sprawl and the rise of modern threats like cyber-terrorism further exacerbate these risks, demanding a robust and multi-pronged security approach.
View More Urban Security: Preparing Indian Cities for Terror Threats
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on an official visit to India. While welcoming him warmly, his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi referred to the terrorist attacks in Christchurch and Mumbai. The two sides agreed that terrorism in any form is unacceptable and vowed to cooperate in combating the scourge of extremism.
View More The Christchurch Attack and Extremism in the Far East
France’s bold proposal for a European nuclear umbrella is catalysing a surge in AI-driven defence technologies, including autonomous drones and advanced surveillance systems. Defence giants Dassault Aviation and Safran are leading the charge, backed by a €500 million contract tender, as France aims to cement its role as a technological powerhouse in European security.
View More France’s AI-Drone Revolution: Nuclear Deterrence Meets Next-Gen Defence Tech
Last December Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Link Project to solve water scarcity in the Bundelkhand region, covering parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The project will link the supposed water surplus Ken River with Betwa in drought-stricken Bundelkhand and involves construction of a dam located within the Panna Tiger Reserve, raising concerns about its submergence.
View More Is River Interlinking The Only Panacea For Water Management?
Bangladesh is stuck at a crossroads, six months after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. This exclusively Bengali-speaking nation finds itself trapped in a state of lawlessness, political turmoil and deepening societal fissures. The interim government led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has been literally struggling to restore order and implement vital reforms, necessary to guide the country toward political stability.
View More Bangladesh in Disarray
India finds itself in a diplomatic and strategic bind as Bangladesh formally requests the extradition of its ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India during political unrest in August 2024. Accused of crimes against humanity, Hasina’s extradition poses a complex challenge for India. Her tenure was marked by strong bilateral ties that advanced India’s economic and security interests and her removal has disrupted this equilibrium. Extraditing her could jeopardise India’s national interests, regional stability and its role as a protector of human rights.
View More Extradition Demand Risks India’s Interests in Sheikh Hasina Case
The defence industry serves as the backbone of India’s national security, playing a crucial role in ensuring self-reliance, technological advancement and operational readiness for the armed forces. In a world marked by evolving threats and geopolitical uncertainties, a robust defence manufacturing sector empowers India to safeguard its sovereignty while reducing dependence on foreign imports.
View More Indian Defence Industry: Backbone of National Security
When Mr. Donald Trump swept the US presidential election last November, the world braced up for another bout of trade belligerence and undermining of multilateralism. The US President had explicitly expressed his desire to reshape trade, capital and labour flows in an unorthodox manner and gave enough hints of employing “economic force” to achieve his objective.
View More Will The United States’ Trade Belligerence Revitalise China’s Fragile Relation With India?
