How Pakistan's new missile deal threatens peace in South Asia (IANS Analysis)

IANS | October 10, 2025 8:22 PM

Washington: In a move that could recalibrate the fragile balance of power in South Asia, the United States has added Pakistan to its list of buyers for the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). This modification to an existing US arms contract with Raytheon represents more than just a defence transaction — it signals a potential rearmament of Pakistan’s air power at a time when the region’s security situation remains precarious.

The Taliban direction of Bangladesh's Islamists (IANS Analysis)

IANS | October 10, 2025 6:45 PM

Dhaka: Amidst the developments in Bangladesh's political trajectory, the resurgence of Islamists has been the one catching everyone's attention. A country with about 90 per cent Muslim population, this surely is not supposed to be alarming. But Bangladesh is no Middle East or Central Asia — wherein religion profoundly shaped their political systems. Religion, albeit a strong influence, has more cultural and symbolic presence than a political one — whereby Bangladesh's political establishment is influenced by principles of nationalism, socialism, secularism and democracy. Here, cultural and ethnolinguistic identity have historically taken precedence over religious one.

Muttaqi's visit important step in advancing India-Afghanistan ties: EAM Jaishankar

IANS | October 10, 2025 3:43 PM

New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met his Afghanistan counterpart Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday as both held discussions on India's support for Afghanistan's development, bilateral trade, territorial integrity and independence, people-to-people ties and capacity-building besides several other issues.