Aishwaria Sonavane

2 weeks ago | pakistanpaigham.substack.com | Aishwaria Sonavane

Sparing my readers from any more overuse of "Allah, Army, and America" in describing Pakistan’s power politics, I’m coining a new triad for this Paigham: Guns, Golf, and Generals. Westernization of Pakistan MilitaryThis fresh alliteration, beyond its literary flair, is meant to offer a peek into the Pakistan military's entanglement with the Western elite identity – ones that extend well beyond defense strategies.

4 weeks ago | pakistanpaigham.substack.com | Aishwaria Sonavane |Sudha Ramachandran

In the latest Paigham, I explore how Jirgas are shaping Pakistan-Afghanistan diplomacy. As political tensions persist and formal negotiations falter, can these indigenous governance systems offer a sustainable path forward? Image Courtesy: AFPThe Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, often seen as a barometer of their diplomatic tensions, reopened on March 19 after a 27-day closure.

1 month ago | pakistanpaigham.substack.com | Aishwaria Sonavane

Pakistan, often headlined for its Kashmir conflict with India, entanglements in Afghanistan, strategic alliance with China, or its status as a nuclear nation with a jihadist problem, was once again forced to confront an insurgency it has long sought to suppress - Balochistan.

1 month ago | newslaundry.com | Aishwaria Sonavane

In Pakistan, where three As – Allah, Army, and America – have long dictated the country's power structures, the current reality under US President Donald Trump remains a bit more complicated. Historically marked by oscillations between strategic cooperation and mutual distrust, US-Pakistan relations are likely to face further turbulence given Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy, which tends to prioritise short-term agreements over long-term strategic interests.

2 months ago | thehindu.com | Aishwaria Sonavane

The bitter legacy of the 1971 liberation war, where Bangladesh split from Pakistan, has long steered the nature of ties between Dhaka and Islamabad. However, recent bilateral engagement between the two sides demonstrates Dhaka’s intent to diversify its foreign policy trajectory in the subcontinent.