Blog
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.
Can Pakistan Weaken the Growing India-Taliban Outreach?
By Umair Jamal
Islamabad is reported to have asked its missions in Afghanistan to highlight ideological and political contradictions between India and the Taliban.
Destruction Everywhere, Help Scarce After Afghanistan Quake
By Ebrahim Noroozi and Rahim Faiez
In Afghanistan, those who were barely scraping by have lost everything to the recent earthquake.
Sri Lanka Sends 2 Ministers to Russia to Negotiate for Oil
By Bharatha Mallawarachi
It comes amid a high-level U.S. delegation’s visit to Sri Lanka to help it cope with the unprecedented economic crisis.
New Military Recruitment Scheme Roils India
By Kavita Chowdhury
Under the scheme, soldiers recruited to non-officer ranks will serve for four years only and be denied pension.
India Strengthens Its Position in Sri Lanka Vis-à-Vis Rival China
By P.K. Balachandran
By offering support during Colombo’s economic collapse, India has widened its footprint in Sri Lanka after a decade of losing ground to China.
India Prepares to Elect Its 15th President
By Tarushi Aswani
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate, Draupadi Murmu, who is a tribal woman, is poised to win.
India-Nepal Diplomatic Relations at 75: Full of Contradictions
By Santosh Sharma Poudel
The two countries share strong cultural, religious, political, and economic ties. The same issues can pull them apart.
Nepal Backs Away From US State Partnership Program
By P.K. Balachandran
Suspicious about the military content and wary of antagonizing China, Nepal rejects a U.S. disaster mitigation program.
Afghanistan Quake Kills 920 People, Deadliest in 2 Decades
By Fazel Rahman Faizi
The disaster is a major test for the Taliban regime’s ability to carry out rescue and relief efforts amid the limited presence of foreign governments and NGOs in the country.
Sri Lanka’s Crisis Cripples Once Burgeoning Middle Class
By Krutika Pathi and Bharatha Mallawarachi
Families that never had to worry about food or fuel are now cutting back on meals and eating less.
Smuggling of Exotic and Endangered Species From Myanmar Increasing
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Established routes used for trafficking drugs and gold from Myanmar into India are used to transport wildlife, say Indian government officials.
Flip-Flop on Wheat Exports Angers Indian Farmers
By Kavita Chowdhury
Farmers were hoping to benefit from soaring global wheat prices. The export ban dashed their hopes.