Sarah Pearce

For decades, Northeastern India has faced relentless violence from rebel groups seeking autonomy from the Indian government. Militant groups started with India’s independence in 1947, when they felt like their voices weren’t heard by the government, “Militants in India’s northeast once enjoyed vast popular support since they, in their formative years, voiced genuine grievances of the people such as poor governance, alienation, lack of development and an apathetic attitude from the central government in New Delhi.” Now that they don’t have sway with the government, they make themselves heard through militant acts including bombings and shootings.

In late October, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Saudi Arabia to meet with King Salman to discuss oil investment between the two countries. Two important pacts were signed during this visit to encourage partnership and cooperation in setting up fuel reserves. The India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council was formed to allow for India to “address its expectations and aspirations” (Pant). According to the Economic Times, “Saudi Arabia is India’s second biggest supplier of oil after Iraq. It is also now India’s fourth largest trading partner with bilateral trade at $27.48 billion in 2017-18 and Saudi investment of around $100 billion is in the pipeline in areas ranging from energy, refining, petrochemicals and infrastructure to agriculture, minerals and mining” (Contributors, 2019). These meetings between India and Saudi Arabia are setting the stage for the economy to grow and for closer ties between these two countries.

Recently, the tension in the region of Kashmir and Jammu has reached a turning point. The citizens are protesting more than ever before, especially with the termination of article 370. With the frequent acts of terror by the terrorist group Jaish-E-Mohammed (JeM), political strife, and increased instability within the region, it is likely that the area could be bracing for significant impact of change.