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Facta, Non Verba
9 hours ago
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美麗的森林 সুন্দর বন সুন্দরবন सुंदर जंगल 優 ﹝印度﹞邊境安全部隊 सीमा सुरक्षा बल (BSF) जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य 孟加拉國西孟加拉邦槍擊致命死者人公民南亞次大陸 ये ऐसी यादें हैं जो जिंदगी भर रहती है। এই স্মৃতিগুলো সারাজীবন থেকে যায়। Monday, 5th January 2026 New Age Newspaper Journal 34 deaths killings highest in five years or half a decade pains more like it

Happymon Jacob writing for Foreign Affairs — the term “South Asia,” coined by Westerners during the Cold War, never resonated deeply with the region’s diverse inhabitants. Despite shared histories and cultural connections, the dream of a united South Asia has crumbled under the weight of mistrust, particularly between India and Pakistan. The once-promising South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has languished, its grand ambitions for economic integration and cultural exchange now distant memories. India’s dominance, while a source of regional stability, also hindered regionalism, as New Delhi saw little value in structures that might dilute its influence. Meanwhile, China’s growing footprint in the region, providing loans and infrastructure to India’s neighbours, has further fragmented South Asia, as smaller states leverage Beijing to counter New Delhi’s power. Ironically, this has eroded India’s regional primacy while also diminishing South Asia’s geopolitical coherence. The region’s inhabitants themselves, particularly India’s burgeoning middle class, are increasingly looking beyond their immediate neighbourhood for opportunities and connections.

My view: The demise of “South Asia” raises critical questions about India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. Does it ring hollow in the face of India’s reluctance to integrate with its neighbours, both immediate and extended? It appears that the policy has unwittingly become a veil for Indian hegemony, serving the interests of the country’s elite babus and billionaires rather than the common man. This lack of regional integration deprives Indians of the tangible benefits of closer economic and cultural ties with their neighbours. While India’s pursuit of dominance may appease nationalist sentiments, it offers little practical value to its citizens, many of whom remain unaware of these issues due to socioeconomic challenges and limited education.

This zero-sum mentality within the Indian babudom and policymaking circles has blinded it to the shifting tectonic plates of global geopolitics. While India remains stuck in out-dated modes of thought, its neighbours are forging ahead, seeking economic openness and free trade with the rest of the world. Blaming Pakistan for SAARC’s failure only tells part of the story; India’s own actions have significantly contributed to the region’s fragmentation. As China’s influence in South Asia grows, eclipsing India’s trade with its neighbours, it becomes evident that India has the most to lose in this geopolitical game. The country’s inward-looking policies and resistance to regional integration have left it ill-equipped to adapt to the changing global landscape. While Indian elites may cling to the illusion of autarky, the reality is that such an approach is unsustainable in the long run.

As the sun sets on the idea of “South Asia,” one wonders if babus will finally awaken from their slumber of self-delusion as well as recognise the missed opportunities for regional cooperation and shared prosperity. & the Subcontinent

美麗的森林 সুন্দর বন সুন্দরবন सुंदर जंगल 優 ﹝印度﹞邊境安全部隊 सीमा सुरक्षा बल (BSF) जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य 孟加拉國西孟加拉邦槍擊致命死者人公民南亞次大陸 ये ऐसी यादें हैं जो जिंदगी भर रहती है। এই স্মৃতিগুলো সারাজীবন থেকে যায়। Monday, 5th January 2026 New Age Newspaper Journal 34 deaths killings highest in five years or half a decade pains more like it

AmanYadav19 Indian Neighbour — Here Why the Growing Divide Between Us & Bangladesh? (Reddit)

Hey r/Bangladesh, I am an Indian from the border side, your neighbour basically. Before Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, I was really excited about traveling to Bangladesh — the food, the culture, the shared vibes all seemed amazing. But after everything that’s happened, my perspective has shifted, and I wanted to discuss this openly with you all. I come in peace, no hate, just trying to understand. Growing up, I always thought Bangladeshis & Indians had this deep bond. After all, we fought side by side for your independence in 1971 — I do not claim all the credit; the people of Bangladesh were the real heroes on the ground, with Mukti Bahini leading the charge. But post-independence, things seem to have soured. A lot of folks migrated to India, and honestly, I had no issue with that at the time. It felt like family helping family. But when I started digging deeper into recent events, especially after Sheikh Hasina, it feels like there’s real hatred toward Indians from some quarters. Why? We speak the same language (Bengali/Bangla), share so much “DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)” as well as cultural heritage — poetry, music, festivals, you name it. The partition happened largely because of religion, sure, but even after that, why the on-going resentment on religious lines? And then there’s the infiltration issue — if the separation was meant to create distinct nations, why push to cross borders into the very places that were “the problem”? It just confuses me. My biggest concern now is how things have changed post-Hasina. It seems like Bangladesh has become more hostile toward India, with democracy and liberalism taking a hit. Reports of radicalism rising, women’s rights being suppressed, forced conversions, and minorities (especially Hindus) facing increasing pressure — the Hindu population has been dwindling since independence, while the Muslim majority grows. What’s driving this? Aren’t we all part of the greater Bengal legacy that once dominated the Indian Subcontinent (South Asia) for centuries? Think about the Bengal Renaissance, our shared history of intellectuals and reformers. I worry this divide is only going to widen, maybe even turning into something like the India-Pakistan rift. I still hold out some hope, though — not everyone’s like that, right? A big chunk of the population isn’t online or as literate/connected, so they might not see the full picture of our intertwined histories. That’s why I’m posting here: to hear from the educated, elite folks on Reddit. What’s your take? Why the hate toward Indians? Is there a way to bridge this, or am I just being naïve? Looking forward to thoughtful responses — let’s keep it civil & discuss like neighbours should. Thanks! Naïve South Asia or the Subcontinent

Reply me in English as I don’t know Bangla (Bengali)

Happymon Jacob writing for Foreign Affairs — the term “South Asia,” coined by Westerners during the Cold War, never resonated deeply with the region’s diverse inhabitants. Despite shared histories and cultural connections, the dream of a united South Asia has crumbled under the weight of mistrust, particularly between India and Pakistan. The once-promising South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has languished, its grand ambitions for economic integration and cultural exchange now distant memories. India’s dominance, while a source of regional stability, also hindered regionalism, as New Delhi saw little value in structures that might dilute its influence. Meanwhile, China’s growing footprint in the region, providing loans and infrastructure to India’s neighbours, has further fragmented South Asia, as smaller states leverage Beijing to counter New Delhi’s power. Ironically, this has eroded India’s regional primacy while also diminishing South Asia’s geopolitical coherence. The region’s inhabitants themselves, particularly India’s burgeoning middle class, are increasingly looking beyond their immediate neighbourhood for opportunities and connections.

My view: The demise of “South Asia” raises critical questions about India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. Does it ring hollow in the face of India’s reluctance to integrate with its neighbours, both immediate and extended? It appears that the policy has unwittingly become a veil for Indian hegemony, serving the interests of the country’s elite babus and billionaires rather than the common man. This lack of regional integration deprives Indians of the tangible benefits of closer economic and cultural ties with their neighbours. While India’s pursuit of dominance may appease nationalist sentiments, it offers little practical value to its citizens, many of whom remain unaware of these issues due to socioeconomic challenges and limited education.

This zero-sum mentality within the Indian babudom and policymaking circles has blinded it to the shifting tectonic plates of global geopolitics. While India remains stuck in out-dated modes of thought, its neighbours are forging ahead, seeking economic openness and free trade with the rest of the world. Blaming Pakistan for SAARC’s failure only tells part of the story; India’s own actions have significantly contributed to the region’s fragmentation. As China’s influence in South Asia grows, eclipsing India’s trade with its neighbours, it becomes evident that India has the most to lose in this geopolitical game. The country’s inward-looking policies and resistance to regional integration have left it ill-equipped to adapt to the changing global landscape. While Indian elites may cling to the illusion of autarky, the reality is that such an approach is unsustainable in the long run.

As the sun sets on the idea of “South Asia,” one wonders if babus will finally awaken from their slumber of self-delusion as well as recognise the missed opportunities for regional cooperation and shared prosperity. & the Subcontinent

美麗的森林 সুন্দর বন সুন্দরবন सुंदर जंगल 優 ﹝印度﹞邊境安全部隊 सीमा सुरक्षा बल (BSF) जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य 孟加拉國西孟加拉邦槍擊致命死者人公民南亞次大陸 ये ऐसी यादें हैं जो जिंदगी भर रहती है। এই স্মৃতিগুলো সারাজীবন থেকে যায়। Monday, 5th January 2026 New Age Newspaper Journal 34 deaths killings highest in five years or half a decade pains more like it

AmanYadav19 Indian Neighbour — Here Why the Growing Divide Between Us & Bangladesh? (Reddit)

Hey r/Bangladesh, I am an Indian from the border side, your neighbour basically. Before Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, I was really excited about traveling to Bangladesh — the food, the culture, the shared vibes all seemed amazing. But after everything that’s happened, my perspective has shifted, and I wanted to discuss this openly with you all. I come in peace, no hate, just trying to understand. Growing up, I always thought Bangladeshis & Indians had this deep bond. After all, we fought side by side for your independence in 1971 — I do not claim all the credit; the people of Bangladesh were the real heroes on the ground, with Mukti Bahini leading the charge. But post-independence, things seem to have soured. A lot of folks migrated to India, and honestly, I had no issue with that at the time. It felt like family helping family. But when I started digging deeper into recent events, especially after Sheikh Hasina, it feels like there’s real hatred toward Indians from some quarters. Why? We speak the same language (Bengali/Bangla), share so much “DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)” as well as cultural heritage — poetry, music, festivals, you name it. The partition happened largely because of religion, sure, but even after that, why the on-going resentment on religious lines? And then there’s the infiltration issue — if the separation was meant to create distinct nations, why push to cross borders into the very places that were “the problem”? It just confuses me. My biggest concern now is how things have changed post-Hasina. It seems like Bangladesh has become more hostile toward India, with democracy and liberalism taking a hit. Reports of radicalism rising, women’s rights being suppressed, forced conversions, and minorities (especially Hindus) facing increasing pressure — the Hindu population has been dwindling since independence, while the Muslim majority grows. What’s driving this? Aren’t we all part of the greater Bengal legacy that once dominated the Indian Subcontinent (South Asia) for centuries? Think about the Bengal Renaissance, our shared history of intellectuals and reformers. I worry this divide is only going to widen, maybe even turning into something like the India-Pakistan rift. I still hold out some hope, though — not everyone’s like that, right? A big chunk of the population isn’t online or as literate/connected, so they might not see the full picture of our intertwined histories. That’s why I’m posting here: to hear from the educated, elite folks on Reddit. What’s your take? Why the hate toward Indians? Is there a way to bridge this, or am I just being naïve? Looking forward to thoughtful responses — let’s keep it civil & discuss like neighbours should. Thanks! Naïve South Asia or the Subcontinent

Reply me in English as I don’t know Bangla (Bengali)

Happymon Jacob writing for Foreign Affairs — the term “South Asia,” coined by Westerners during the Cold War, never resonated deeply with the region’s diverse inhabitants. Despite shared histories and cultural connections, the dream of a united South Asia has crumbled under the weight of mistrust, particularly between India and Pakistan. The once-promising South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has languished, its grand ambitions for economic integration and cultural exchange now distant memories. India’s dominance, while a source of regional stability, also hindered regionalism, as New Delhi saw little value in structures that might dilute its influence. Meanwhile, China’s growing footprint in the region, providing loans and infrastructure to India’s neighbours, has further fragmented South Asia, as smaller states leverage Beijing to counter New Delhi’s power. Ironically, this has eroded India’s regional primacy while also diminishing South Asia’s geopolitical coherence. The region’s inhabitants themselves, particularly India’s burgeoning middle class, are increasingly looking beyond their immediate neighbourhood for opportunities and connections.

My view: The demise of “South Asia” raises critical questions about India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. Does it ring hollow in the face of India’s reluctance to integrate with its neighbours, both immediate and extended? It appears that the policy has unwittingly become a veil for Indian hegemony, serving the interests of the country’s elite babus and billionaires rather than the common man. This lack of regional integration deprives Indians of the tangible benefits of closer economic and cultural ties with their neighbours. While India’s pursuit of dominance may appease nationalist sentiments, it offers little practical value to its citizens, many of whom remain unaware of these issues due to socioeconomic challenges and limited education.

This zero-sum mentality within the Indian babudom and policymaking circles has blinded it to the shifting tectonic plates of global geopolitics. While India remains stuck in out-dated modes of thought, its neighbours are forging ahead, seeking economic openness and free trade with the rest of the world. Blaming Pakistan for SAARC’s failure only tells part of the story; India’s own actions have significantly contributed to the region’s fragmentation. As China’s influence in South Asia grows, eclipsing India’s trade with its neighbours, it becomes evident that India has the most to lose in this geopolitical game. The country’s inward-looking policies and resistance to regional integration have left it ill-equipped to adapt to the changing global landscape. While Indian elites may cling to the illusion of autarky, the reality is that such an approach is unsustainable in the long run.

As the sun sets on the idea of “South Asia,” one wonders if babus will finally awaken from their slumber of self-delusion as well as recognise the missed opportunities for regional cooperation and shared prosperity. & the Subcontinent

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