Episode 5: From holiday destinations to vital nations? The new importance of South Asian islands

Viraj Solanki, IISS Research Analyst for South Asia, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic.Viraj and Kori discuss the distinct breadth and depth of research produced by the IISS South Asia Programme. Viraj explains how recent events in the Maldives and Seychelles reflect a geopolitical renaissance for small island nations in South Asia.Set within the context of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Viraj highlights the new importance of small power relations and the scale of renewed engagement by China, India and the West. Kori and Viraj also discuss the future of the BRI and prospects for peace in Afghanistan in this wide-ranging discussion on the region.Favourite data visualisation:Financial Times, How China rules the waves, January 2017Reading recommendations:Christina Lamb, Farewell Kabul: From Afghanistan to a More Dangerous World (London: William Collins Publishers, 2015)Steve Coll, Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan and Bin Laden (London: Penguin Books, 2005)Date of recording: 25 January 2019Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.Theme music: ‘Safety in Numbers’ by We Were Promised Jetpacks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.