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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.
What the US Tech Layoffs Mean for India
By Jagriti Gangopadhyay and Srijan Sengupta
Thousands of Indian IT professionals were hit by the layoffs. That could entice more Indian tech workers to stay in their homeland to work.
Pakistan Hikes Natural Gas Taxes in Bid to Restart IMF Bailout
By Muir Ahmed and Riaz Khan
The government's bid to revive a $6 billion bailout led it to hike taxes on natural gas for domestic and industrial consumers from 16 percent to 112 percent.
Bollywood Film ‘Pathaan’ Pushes Back Against Modi Regime’s Hate Agenda
By Kavita Chowdhury
The movie, which is about an Indian operative and a Pakistani spy joining hands to save humanity from annihilation, counters the fear-mongering of Hindutva votaries.
Indian Officials Search BBC Offices in Delhi After Modi Documentary
By Krutika Pathi
The raid came weeks after the British broadcaster released a controversial documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
US Steps Up Its Courting of Nepal
By Santosh Sharma Poudel
Nepali Prime Minister Dahal is close to China but is known to be flexible. Will Washington’s wooing impress him?
What the China Spy Balloon Saga Means for India
By Poornima Balasubramanian and Megha Shrivastava
Surveillance balloons are a new threat to reckon with in the grey zone – and a wake-up call for India to enhance its intelligence and counterintelligence proficiency.
Should Pakistan Attend the SCO Summit in India?
By Javairyah Kulthum Aatif
Pakistan’s choice of whether to attend the SCO summit in India will send signals to internal and external audiences on a number of levels.
An Alarming New Bill Takes Aim at Pakistan’s Shias
By Asad Gokal and Jaffer A. Mirza
Pakistan is strengthening its controversial anti-blasphemy laws – with potentially deadly results for religious minority groups.
Bollywood Film on Holey Artisan Attack Triggers Controversy in Bangladesh
By Asif Muztaba Hassan and Nazifa Raidah
Social media has been abuzz with Bangladeshis opposing the making of “Faraaz,” mostly averring that it is Bangladesh’s story to tell.
Sri Lankan Leader Appeals for Patience Amid Economic Crisis
By Krishan Francis
Government doctors, university teachers, and other workers from ports and the power and petroleum sectors are calling on the government to lower income taxes.
Key Ally Quits Government in Nepal
By Santosh Sharma Poudel
While a month is not enough to judge the fledgling party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has shown itself to be no different from the others.
In Afghanistan, Women Give Up Freedom to Stay Alive
By Samina Ansari and Elliott Memmi
Far from seeing their rights as bargaining chips for aid, Afghan women live in a reality where the mounting restrictions also affect their ability to survive.