Public Policy

Systemic Gaps, Unchecked Overstays: Why India’s Visa Regime Isn’t Ready for Full Relaxation with Bangladesh in March 2026

India is in the process of restoring full visa services for Bangladeshi nationals after an 18-month restriction driven by security considerations. As of March 2026, the government has initiated a phased reopening that includes tourist, business and student visa categories. At first glance, this may appear to be a necessary correction that restores regional mobility, supports medical …

A Soldier Returns to his Homeland in Crisis : Lt. Gen (Retd.) L. Nishikanta Singh and the Struggle to Rebuild State Authority in Manipur

When a state is scarred by violence, institutional mistrust and the proliferation of arms, governments often turn to figures who embody discipline, credibility, and strategic clarity. That is the context in which L. Nishikanta Singh has been appointed Advisor (Coordination) to the Chief Minister of Manipur. A retired Lieutenant General of the Indian Army’s Intelligence Corps, Singh is …

Inclusive Optics, Hollow Power: The Narrow Possibilities and Hard Limits of State Governance in Manipur

The recent reconfiguration of Manipur’s political leadership has been presented by the Central Government as an exercise in inclusiveness as well as an attempt to restore balance, calm, and administrative credibility in a state devastated by nearly two years of ethnic violence and mass displacement. On the surface, the appointments appear carefully calibrated with a …