Author: Mohal Tusharkanti Chande

Warsaw, Berlin (25/3 – 80) A diverse group of Pamiri and Ismaili interest groups gathered to discuss the terror attack in Moscow. “We reject the notion this were Pamiris or Ismailis representing us”, said one of the spokespeople, who want to remain anonymous out of fear of persecution by the Tajik authorities. “They are Takfiris”, he said. Non-believers, apostates to the cause. The majlis (meeting) was called after Moscow was quick to blame Tajik immigrants for the terror attacks. Previous warnings were ignored by Moscow. “We as a Pamiri community do not belief in the use of violence against the…

The Soviet Union’s collapse 32 years ago led to rapid change, economic collapse, and violence. In Tajikistan, that violence slid rapidly into civil war. Reflecting on the Soviet Union’s collapse 32 years ago and attempting to draw any sort of conclusion is often a matter of perspective. In his new book, “Moscow’s Heavy Shadow: The Violent Collapse of the USSR,” Dr. Isaac McKean Scarborough, an assistant professor of Russian and Eurasian Studies at Leiden University, writes of the collapse from one of the Soviet Union’s most distant peripheries — Dushanbe. In doing so, he highlights a perspective not often taken…

Governing party BJP’s Prime Minister Modi will be consecrating Ram Mandir on Monday, more than three years after laying its first stone India’s stock market is shut for the day. Central government offices are only open for half the day. Neighbourhood watch parties have been organised across the country. And tens of millions of Indians are tuned into one event: the consecration of a temple to the Hindu god Ram in the city of Ayodhya. On Monday, just past noon local time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join priests to inaugurate the temple, whose launch in many ways also serves as the start…

Head over to Phoenix Palladium this weekend for a free music festival that celebrates the international and Indian faces of jazz This weekend, the Mumbai Jazz Festival is rolling into town, and it’s not just any old music shindig. It’s a two-day, toe-tapping, soul-soothing extravaganza. Think of it as a jazz-themed party where everyone’s invited, since passes can be reserved for free on Bookmyshow. When and where? On the 9th and 10th of December, Phoenix Palladium in Lower Parel is turning into a jazz wonderland. You will be stepping into a musical time machine. The Mumbai Jazz Festival isn’t just…

Copenhagen (13/11 – 37.5) When Ranil Wickremesinghe took over as Sri Lanka’s president in July after a popular uprising ousted his predecessor, the South Asian island nation was engulfed in its worst economic meltdown in 75 years. Since then, President Wickremesinghe has managed to a keep a lid on mass protests, improve supplies of essentials and on Monday, secured a nearly $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that opens the door to restructuring about $58 billion of debt and receive funding from other lenders. He has done that despite a deeply unpopular government, his own party commanding just one…

In a press conference held recently at the Leader of the Opposition’s office, Member of Parliament, Dr. Harsha de Silva provided crucial insights into the current state of Sri Lanka’s economy. Central to the discussion were key developments surrounding the International Monetary Fund (IMF), challenges faced by the nation, and the imperative need for global collaboration.IMF’s Decision Looms Large The looming decision by the IMF board on the second tranche for Sri Lanka, slated for December 12, takes center stage in the economic narrative. MP Harsha expressed optimism about securing the tranche but sounded a cautionary note, stressing that a…

Serbia hails gas deal that will help the country achieve its ‘strategic goal of diversifying supplies and strengthen its position as a transit country for gas supplies to Central Europe’. Serbia and Azerbaijan signed an agreement in Baku on Wednesday under which some 400 million cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan should be delivered per year to Serbia from 2024 onwards. Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic and Azerbaijan Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov signed a Memorandum of Understanding which, according to the Serbian ministry press release, “deepens relations in the field of energy”. A commercial contract…

Our weekly update on recent developments in Chinese-Russian-Central Asian affairs. Central Asia Details are emerging on the bevy of deals signed between Central Asian states and China on the sidelines of the Beijing jamboree celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Belt & Road initiative. Kazakhstan’s presidential press service reported that while President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was in China in mid-October, officials signed 30 commercial documents worth an estimated $16.54 billion, “including investment and trade agreements, agreements on the transfer of technology for production, the opening of credit lines, etc.” Perhaps the most significant deal aims to increase the capacity of the Trans-Caspian International…

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau have underscored the importance of de-escalation of the India-Canada diplomatic row and respect for the rule of law in a call, which was dominated by the standoff over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada in June. According to a Downing Street statement, the British Indian leader spoke to Trudeau on Friday evening during which he was updated on the situation relating to Canadian diplomats in India. Both leaders agreed to stay in contact as Sunak reaffirmed the UK position of respect for the rule of law…

Berlin (22/10 – 75) UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, reported during his trip to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Tajikistan, he met with representatives of civil society and residents of the region. Varennes arrived in Tajikistan for a working visit on October 9 till October 20. The UN Special Rapporteur told journalists that the residents of Gorno-Badakhshan informed him about violations of their rights in 2021-2022, particularly concerning the rights of detainees and cases of harsh treatment by law enforcement agencies. He stated, “People are complaining about religious restrictions as well as limitations on the use…