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Showing posts from October 20, 2024

Sino-Afghan Relations Throughout History

The relationship between Afghanistan and China has evolved significantly over the centuries, shaped by geography, culture, trade, politics, and global strategic interests. Afghanistan's position at the crossroads of Central, South, and West Asia and China's expansion across its western borders have contributed to their historical interactions. From the early Silk Road connections to modern-day diplomacy and trade agreements, Afghanistan-China relations have oscillated between phases of cooperation, conflict, and strategic alignment. Here in this article, we examine, the historical context, key events, and contemporary developments in Afghanistan-China relations. Early Sino-Afghan Connections Afghanistan's history with China can be traced back to the early centuries when both regions were integral parts of the ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected East Asia to the Mediterranean. The Silk Road facilitated cultural and economic exchanges, with Afghanistan...

One Nation, One Election: A Story of Electoral Reforms in India

India, the world's largest democracy, has a long history of elections that stretch across various levels—parliamentary, state legislative assemblies, local bodies, and panchayats. The idea of One Nation, One Election (ONOE) is a significant reform proposal that seeks to synchronize elections across these levels to reduce the frequency of elections and bring about greater efficiency in governance. The idea has sparked significant debate in political, legal, and academic circles, raising questions about feasibility, constitutionality, and the broader impact on Indian democracy. Historical Context of Electoral Reforms in India India’s electoral system has evolved over decades since its independence in 1947. The first general election in India was held in 1951-52, a massive exercise for a nascent republic. At the time, both the parliamentary (Lok Sabha) and state legislative elections were held simultaneously. This pattern of simultaneous elections continued until 1967, when the c...