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The Pulse
South Asia is a story of promise and peril where Asia’s conflicting forces of modernity and reaction meet head on. Home to a multitude of different cultures, ethnicities, and religions, The Diplomat's regional correspondents and experts will provide the insight you need to navigate one of the world's most consequential regions.
Getting Out of Afghanistan’s Opium Quagmire
By Maha Siddiqui
The longevity of the Taliban’s opium ban hinges on a multifaceted approach.
Culture as Strategy: Why India Must Rethink Its Global Influence
By Vivek N.D.
India, despite one of the world’s most diverse cultural ecosystems, has been falling behind in cultural diplomacy.
Why India Must Stop Ignoring Bangladesh’s Interim Government
By Abu Jakir
India needs to understand the nuanced reality of the ground situation in Bangladesh.
Guns and Manure: Sri Lanka’s Army and Organic Agriculture
By Upandha Udalagama
In 2021, the Sri Lankan Army became the unlikely vanguard of a supposed green revolution, resulting in a radical redefinition of civil-military relations in farming regions.
India’s Growing Misinformation Crisis: A Threat to Democracy
By Abhinav Mehrotra and Amit Upadhyay
Failure to curb dissemination of falsehood via social media can have long-term effects on democratic processes.
How the US Aid Freeze Shook up the Geopolitics of Nepal’s Power Trade
By Mahesh Ganguly and Raza Siddiqui
The Trump administration froze a $500 million grant to Nepal, changing the calculus of the China-India-U.S. tug of war over its power sector.
With Luxon Visit, India-New Zealand Ties Scale New Heights
By Rahul Mishra and Shubhamitra Das
Historically underemphasized, New Delhi-Wellington engagement is now gaining strategic and diplomatic prominence.
India Reiterates Mauritius’ Centrality to Its Indian Ocean Region Strategy
By Sudha Ramachandran
Prime Minister Modi announced India’s new MAHASAGAR policy from Mauritius, just as he had unveiled the SAGAR policy 10 years ago.
A Bleak Future for Rohingya Refugees
By Jannatul Naym Pieal
Despite the U.N. secretary-general’s visit to Bangladesh this week, the outlook for Rohingya refugees remains bleak.
Are India-UK Ties on Track to Achieve Vision 2030?
By Rushali Saha
Recent developments on the defense and security front confirm the positive momentum in bilateral ties. But practical steps in difficult areas are needed.
Why India Should Not Delay the Delimitation Exercise
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
The southern states, with smaller populations, are opposed to the Modi government’s proposed delimitation of electoral boundaries.
Jaffar Express Hijacking Exposes Pakistan’s Failing Strategy in Balochistan
By Mehrzaad Baluch
The hijacking of the Jaffar Express signals that the conflict in Balochistan is reaching a dangerous new phase.
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