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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.
Taliban Reopen Universities for Afghan Women in 6 Provinces
By Tameem Akhgar
This is a step in the right direction and appears to have come under pressure from the international community.
Modi’s Latest Budget Sets Out His Long-Term Vision for India
By Mohamed Zeeshan
Investment on infrastructure has been hiked by 35 percent over last year, indicating that this sector is the government’s first-choice job creator.
Will Beijing Heed Pakistan’s Request for Loans?
By Umair Jamal
Their friendship may be doing well rhetorically, but Islamabad’s reliance on Chinese money is creating complications for Pakistan.
Why Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut Is a Magnet for India’s Politicians
By Anuttama Banerji
The town, which played an important role in India’s history, is the site of fiercely fought communal politics.
Taliban Struggle With Transitioning From Fighting to Governing
By Kathy Gannon
Many fighters lack education and training to make the shift to civilian life.
Is Sri Lanka Under Gotabaya Rajapaksa Really Tilting Toward China?
By Uditha Devapriya
Simplistic narratives fail to account for the complexities that have defined foreign policy in Sri Lanka since its independence.
UN: Over 100 Ex-Afghan Forces, Officials Slain Since August
By Edith M. Lederer
Despite promises of amnesty, the U.N. says members of the former Afghan government have been killed extrajudicially by the Taliban.
3 Myths About ‘Un-Governable’ Pakistan
By Hussain Nadim
Pakistan needs to be saved from those that rule it, and especially from those want to rule it forever.
Indian Economy Poised for Strong Recovery
By Krutika Pathi
It is projected to grow 8-8.5 percent in the coming fiscal year.
For Love of Urdu: Language and the Legacies of Jinnah and Nehru
By Shahzaman Haque
That the two founding figures of Indian and Pakistani independence were united by a shared love of Urdu speaks eloquently of the language’s rich history.
India, Central Asian Leaders Discuss Aid to Afghanistan
By Ashok Sharma
At a recent virtual summit, India and five Central Asian countries decided to form joint working groups on Afghanistan and Chabahar port.
India’s Descent Into a Spiral of Genocidal Hate
By Kavita Chowdhury
‘Trads,’ or traditionalists, are highly radicalized members of the Hindutva hate machine who are openly calling for the genocide of Muslims.