For Nepal and Bhutan, BIMSTEC acts as a forum to improve their foreign policy interests.

Bilateral relations have flourished, given the political will of the two countries.

Tamil politicians disagree on a political solution while Sinhala nationalists want to remove the 13th Amendment.

Leading the global south has always been a priority of India’s foreign policy.

This route benefits India as it will have land access to Central Asia and Afghanistan for its trade.

Iran is concerned about the presence of several countries in the Indian Ocean and wants to protect its genuine commercial interest in this region.

Several powers are contesting for influence in the Indian Ocean countries.

The country needs greater regional connectivity to employ its people and stop the exodus of its youth.

Smaller countries in the region play a vital role in determining the extent of their domination.

Revolutionary parties like Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna adopting parliamentary politics is not new in South Asia.

Political instability will add to the country's economic predicaments as it faces severe economic challenges.

For the first time in its 75-year history, the military has lost large swathes of territory to ethnic groups.

One may see anti-Indianism spike as the Maldives holds the parliamentary election on March 17.

Elections remain only way to political change despite political parties’ misgivings about ECs.

The South Asian countries’ eagerness to play the China card has given Beijing a strategic opportunity.