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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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August 17, 2021

India Must Champion the Cause of Afghan Refugees More Inclusively

By Mohamed Zeeshan
Even as it leads global action on Afghanistan at the UNSC, India must salvage its own credibility as a hospitable destination for asylum seekers.
August 03, 2021

India Should Articulate a Clearer Commitment to Tibetans

By Mohamed Zeeshan
New Delhi’s frequent flip-flops on political engagement with the Tibetans will not help it cultivate Tibet as a bargaining chip against China.

July 20, 2021

India Should Talk to China About Afghanistan

By Mohamed Zeeshan
Like India, China is concerned that Taliban-ruled Afghanistan could be a safe haven for Islamic militants.

July 06, 2021

External Concerns are Driving Modi’s Kashmir Strategy

By Mohamed Zeeshan
New Delhi’s crackdown on Kashmir since August 2019 has turned the global spotlight on the human rights situation there.

June 02, 2021

India Should Help Smaller Powers Lead Regional Cooperation in South Asia

By Mohamed Zeeshan
If New Delhi wants to keep Beijing out of its backyard, it has to step up regional cooperation in South Asia.
May 19, 2021

India Must Rethink Its Pandemic Vaccination Strategy

By Mohamed Zeeshan
The country must ditch its tech-centric approach and instead draw from its past successes in mass vaccination.

May 03, 2021

The Indian Foreign Service Must Speak Out Against Growing Politicization

By Mohamed Zeeshan
The Indian diplomatic corps is being increasingly used for partisan purposes.
April 05, 2021

India’s Approach Toward Myanmar Will Hurt Its Credibility

By Mohamed Zeeshan
India must distinguish itself from China and cut the Myanmar army loose.

March 17, 2021

Can India Mold the Quad for Its Own Gains?

By Mohamed Zeeshan
India represents the only developing country that can challenge China in the long run. The Quad must help build India’s strengths.

March 04, 2021

COVID-19 Threatens to Waste India’s Demographic Dividend

By Mohamed Zeeshan
The impacts of the pandemic on India’s youth threaten to last for years to come, undoing decades of progress on multiple fronts.

February 17, 2021

How India is Trying to Police the Internet

By Mohamed Zeeshan
As the Indian government’s actions during the farmers’ protest demonstrate, it is keen on curbing unfavorable opinion online. And existing laws may be enabling it.
January 18, 2021

India and the US: Ideological Convergence No More?

By Mohamed Zeeshan
A new declassified document suggests that Washington sees New Delhi primarily as a security partner.

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