Takshashila hosts Network for Advanced Study of Pakistan (NASP) Academic Conference 2025
The Takshashila Institution hosted the Network for Advanced Study of Pakistan (NASP) Academic Conference 2025 from February 28 to March 2, 2025, at Neev Academy, Bengaluru. The conference brought together NASP Fellows, distinguished mentors, and experts for an engaging exchange of research and ideas on Pakistan’s evolving political, economic, and security landscape. The working paper presentations by NASP Fellows were structured around four key themes: National Security and Foreign Policy; Resources, Climate, and Emerging Technologies; Ethno-Nationalism, Identity, and Subnational Politics; and Social Narratives and Public Discourse. These sessions covered a range of topics, including Pakistan’s engagement in Afghanistan, the role of extremist outfits, water-sharing challenges, ethno-nationalist movements, and the impact of social media on political discourse. A closed-door simulation exercise, titled "DON’T PANIC," challenged participants to respond to a hypothetical international crisis involving Islamist militants seizing control of a nuclear facility in Pakistan. Additionally, a special session led by Co-founder and Senior Fellow at the Takshashila Institution Narayan Ramachandran focused on the future of Pakistan based on its current economic trajectory.
The highlight of the conference was the Author Evening, featuring a conversation between Manish Sabharwal & Amb. Ajay Bisaria on the latter's book 'Anger Management: The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship between India & Pakistan’. There was also a closed door discussion featuring experts including Dr. TCA Raghavan, Dr. Aparna Pande, Dr. Shanthie D’Souza, Dr. Happymon Jacob, Dr. Pallavi Raghavan, and Dr. Atul Mishra, who explored whether Pakistan’s political and economic trajectory is at an inflection point or remains business as usual. The event also hosted several distinguished invitees, including Praveen Swami, Air Vice Marshal Dharmendra Singh Dangi, and Prof. D. Suba Chandran, among others. Overall, the academic conference fostered in-depth discussions, academic collaboration, and strategic thinking on critical issues affecting Pakistan and its broader regional dynamics.
