Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D.

Research Fellow at Centre for Peace Studies (CPS).

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

I write for the @epw_in on the situation in #Ladakh &
examine the factors shaping Ladakh's politics after the #abrogration of article 370, including both the people's movement and the union government's response. #ladakhprotests #sonamwangchuk
https://t.co/j8agfkHFrQ

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

My latest issue breif titled "Voices of the #Borderland: Identity, Heritage, and Representation of #Balti #Noorbakshias in #Turtuk" underpins the demands of the community for #representation & preservation. It is based on my recent field vist to Turtuk.

https://t.co/t6nrTY8gay

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

In this latest Issue Brief I write about the #Noorbakshias of #Turtuk & their demand for #representation & preservation. It is based on my recent field visit to Turtuk and the last #border village on the #LoC, #Thang. #Ladakh #Baltistan
https://t.co/t6nrTY8gay

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

#IndiaPakistan relations have reached an all-time low following the #Pahalgamattack resulting in frozen diplomatic ties and suspended #trade. My latest #commentary where I suggest reviving people-to-people #diplomacy is needed for long stability. Link: https://t.co/HgCu90Vuo3

[Centre for Peace Studies (CPS) @ICPS_Official]

Rundown to the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Elections 2026: An Analysis
4 March, 2026
Zainab Akhter
Gilgit-Baltistan’s 2026 elections may face delays until October due to harsh weather and budgetary constraints. The caretaker administration may see....
https://t.co/Os2DaSqNI1

[Zohran Kwame Mamdani @ZohranKMamdani]

Thank you, New York City. Together we made history.

Now let’s get to work.

https://t.co/G7F2sbda74

[Economic & Political Weekly @epw_in]

Commentary | After the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, J&K and Ladakh, the initial jubilation in Ladakh transformed into resentment.
Zainab Akhter and Muneeb Yousuf write:
https://t.co/DHiYxE5dU2

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

#LatePost This September I got d opportunity to present my paper titled, "The #Baltis of #Ladakh & #Baltistan: A history of shared Hereditary, Culture & Identity", at d BASAS Conference 2025, Lancaster University. Thank U @BASASofficial for providing this opportunity.🙏#BASAS2025

[Dr. Brahma Chellaney @Chellaney]

It’s no coincidence that Washington is targeting three independent powers that also happen to be leading democracies of the Global South: Brazil, India and South Africa. As the "with us or against us" approach returns to the center of U.S. foreign policy, Trump’s heavy-handed efforts to bully them are bound to fail.

[The New York Times @nytimes]

Breaking News: President Emmanuel Macron said France would recognize the state of Palestine, making it the first of the G7 nations to do so. https://t.co/HUkEV1pFTG

[Rujuta Diwekar @RujutaDiwekar]

Tobacco is an independent risk factor. It harms irrespective of environment & lifestyle. There is ample proof of that. Samosa and jalebi ne aap ka kya bigada hai?

If we are serious about health warnings - colas, chips, cookies etc, must get them first. Regulate & tax Big food

[Rajdeep Sardesai @sardesairajdeep]

Breaking : Pakistan hockey team to travel to India for the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup to India. MHA/MEA gives approval as per sports ministry sources. It is a good sign: why should sports be hostage to politics? 🙏👍

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

"Talent and creativity are not bound by borders"!
https://t.co/Oe266wYfVG

[Pravin Sawhney @PravinSawhney]

On the motorway from Lahore to Islamabad.
Crossing into Pakistan via the land route was a great experience.
We are two nations so close - from Attari to Wagah - yet so far. Nothing can be more sad than this.
Going to attend the Margalla Dialogue by IPRI in Islamabad!

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

Religious exchanges #KartarpurCorridor
https://t.co/0ba57pzwXo

[Dr. Brahma Chellaney @Chellaney]

Despite the latest developments raising the prospect of a thaw, India and China, as their statements show, differ on what the problem is at the border and even on what they have agreed upon in recent days. This suggests that the process to disengage rival forces, de-escalate tensions, and finally move back troops will be long and difficult.

It is now more than apparent that the Indian foreign minister jumped the gun when he declared on Oct. 21 that, "We reached an agreement on patrolling, and with that we have gone back to where the situation was in 2020 and we can say ... the disengagement process with China has been completed." The two sides are still discussing the roadmap for disengagement, while a return to the situation that prevailed before China made its stealth encroachments on Ladakh borderlands in April 2020 appears most unlikely.

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

My new book chapter, "Prospects of Multi-Track Diplomacy in #India-#Pakistan Relations", is published and is available online. Click the link below to access the full article, Chapter 8, Page 61, date of Publication 20 May 2024. @ORCA_India #softpower
https://t.co/RBQ7uBp9BY

[Organisation for Research on China & Asia (ORCA) @ORCA_India]

Excellent contributions by @shreyavini5 @viveksans @SreeradhaDatta @MBhonsale @RahulKaranRedd1 @DrCchaviVasisht @zainabzingpa @MHNpp Dr. Monish Tourangbam, Ms. Swati Sinha and Dr. Debasish Nandy

[South Asian Voices @SAVoices]

ICYMI: @zainabzingpa explains the grassroots-led protest movement in Ladakh to demand constitutional safeguards and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Now available in Urdu: https://t.co/Yv8RBG4zLT

[Zainab Akhterذینب اختر, Ph.D. @zainabzingpa]

"The fact that Leh and Kargil have now joined forces to fight for a Ladakhi identity represents a profound shift in the political landscape of the region", my latest write-up for @jacobin #ladakhprotest #Ladakh #Kargil

[Jacobin @jacobin]

The sparsely populated Himalayan region of Ladakh occupies a key strategic position on the border with China and Pakistan. With national elections underway, its people are protesting against Narendra Modi’s government and its record of broken promises.
https://t.co/WcCii4emxn