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.

January 26, 2021
India’s Vaccine Diplomacy: A Potent Card?
By Sudha Ramachandran
While China has faltered in delivering COVID-19 vaccines to South Asian countries, India has stepped in.

January 22, 2021
Déjà Vu All Over Again in Pakistan
By Umair Jamal
Pakistan’s opposition alliance accuses the ruling party of being close to India and Israel, as its movement show signs of petering out.

January 21, 2021
‘Timber Mafia’ From India Running Amok in Bhutan
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Illegal logging is depleting forest cover in the region, aggravating the fallout from climate change.

January 18, 2021
Indian Journalist’s WhatsApp Transcript Causes Storm in Teacup
By Abhijnan Rej
The Indian opposition – and Pakistan – have found much to draw from a divisive TV anchor’s leaked chat messages, which seem to suggest foreknowledge of the 2019 Balakot attack.

January 18, 2021
India and the US: Ideological Convergence No More?
By Mohamed Zeeshan
A new declassified document suggests that Washington sees New Delhi primarily as a security partner.

January 16, 2021
India and Nepal Hold Joint Meeting Amid Improvement in Ties
By Abhijnan Rej
The recent thaw in relations, however, does not mean Kathmandu is willing to budge on its boundary position.

January 15, 2021
The Makwanpur Model: Making Public Healthcare in Nepal Work
By Chitij Karki and Harsh Mahaseth
Administrative decentralization has led to a vast improvement in the delivery of healthcare in Nepal. This is one district’s story.

January 14, 2021
Connectivity Gaining Greater Currency in India-Bangladesh Relations
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Bangladesh has expressed interest in the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, despite slow progress made to date.

January 13, 2021
India’s Top Court Suspends Implementation of New Farm Laws
By Associated Press
The move comes after weeks of disruptive protests by Indian farmers.

January 13, 2021
Pakistan Continues to Sacrifice Shia Hazaras to Safeguard Jihadist ‘Assets’
By Kunwar Khuldune Shahid
A wide array of causes has led to Pakistan adopting a decades-old policy of appeasement toward anti-Shia militancy. The Hazaras pay the price.

January 13, 2021
Afghan Shiite Leader in Pakistan After Killings of Miners
By Associated Press
The Hazara miners were abducted and killed by militants from the Islamic State group in southwestern Balochistan province.

January 12, 2021
India Asks Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa Government to Ensure Power Devolution
By Sudha Ramachandran
New Delhi has significant stakes in making sure the island nation's ethnic Tamil minority is not further marginalized.
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