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Mohamed Zeeshan

Mohamed Zeeshan

Mohamed Zeeshan is a foreign affairs columnist and author of “Flying Blind: India’s Quest for Global Leadership.”

Mohamed Zeeshan is a foreign affairs columnist, consultant and author based in Washington, DC. He is a regular writer on international affairs and his key areas of interest are Indian foreign policy, Asian geopolitics and global economics. He has previously served as a consultant to the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York and advised governments in the Middle East on issues of foreign policy and economic reform. Zeeshan has previously written for The Washington Post, The Telegraph and others, and currently writes regular columns on Indian and international affairs for the South China Morning Post and Deccan Herald. His first book, titled “Flying Blind: India’s Quest for Global Leadership,” deals with India’s aspirations and interests as an emerging power and was published by Penguin in 2021. Follow him on X.

Posts by Mohamed Zeeshan
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October 09, 2023

India’s Hindu Nationalists Hate Gandhi But Struggle to Ignore Him

By Mohamed Zeeshan
The soft power appeal of the Mahatma’s commitment to non-violence and secularism has come in handy for the Modi government’s diplomatic outreach.
September 21, 2023

Trudeau’s Accusation Against India Is Ominous for India-US Ties

By Mohamed Zeeshan
India is a partner against China, but the rationale for countering China is precisely that Beijing engages in the sort of activities which the Canadian PM has accused India of undertaking.

September 11, 2023

G20 Showcases a New India to the World

By Mohamed Zeeshan
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has changed both for better and for worse. The two sides were on display this weekend.

August 28, 2023

India’s Influence in BRICS Is Waning

By Mohamed Zeeshan
If New Delhi did indeed resist expansion efforts that could turn the bloc into a club of nations aligned against the West, it was unsuccessful.

August 09, 2023

India’s Trade Liberalization Era Seems to Have Ended

By Mohamed Zeeshan
India is using trade restrictions to stall domestic inflation, punish geopolitical rivals, and encourage local industries.
July 17, 2023

If India Has a Natural Ally, It’s Probably France

By Mohamed Zeeshan
As a middle power with a presence in the Indian Ocean, France has the right mix of strengths and weaknesses to be India's priority defense partner.

July 10, 2023

A Weak Putin Is India’s Worst Nightmare

By Mohamed Zeeshan
It would force Indian dependence on the United States for diplomatic and military support, which New Delhi would like to avoid.
June 23, 2023

Modi Tests Bipartisan Support in Washington for India-US Ties

By Mohamed Zeeshan
The end of shared values and a shift to a more transactional relationship have several implications for both countries.

June 16, 2023

India and the US are Grappling with Uncomfortable Truths

By Mohamed Zeeshan
When Modi goes to Washington, the two sides are likely to sweep their problems under the carpet.

May 23, 2023

Pakistan’s Chaos Is Not Good News for India

By Mohamed Zeeshan
The longer Pakistan's political crisis runs, the more vigilant India ought to be on its border.

May 08, 2023

Why India-Pakistan Normalization Makes Strategic Sense

By Mohamed Zeeshan
Pakistan’s foreign minister was in India for the SCO meeting last week. But there was no breakthrough on the bilateral front.
April 18, 2023

India’s Extrajudicial Killings Chip Away at Rule of Law

By Mohamed Zeeshan
Atiq Ahmed’s killing took place in full view of television cameras and police officials guarding him.

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