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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.

Understanding India’s Strategic Outreach to the Taliban in Afghanistan

Understanding India’s Strategic Outreach to the Taliban in Afghanistan

By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people has been a tool used by India for both opposing the Taliban in the past and engaging the Taliban now.

What Indian Parliamentary Delegations Achieved in Post-Sindoor Diplomatic Outreach

What Indian Parliamentary Delegations Achieved in Post-Sindoor Diplomatic Outreach

By Elizabeth Roche
India pointed out that it has a clear no-first-use of nuclear weapons policy. It is Pakistan that needs to clarify under what conditions it will use its nukes.
India Signals Reluctance to Call Out Israeli Aggression

India Signals Reluctance to Call Out Israeli Aggression

By Sudha Ramachandran
New Delhi distanced itself from an SCO statement that strongly criticized Israel’s attacks on Iran.

The Indian Diaspora, Conflicted: The US Position on Immigration and India’s View on Emigration

The Indian Diaspora, Conflicted: The US Position on Immigration and India’s View on Emigration

By Krzysztof Iwanek
If the U.S. is to curb the immigration of Indian professionals, it is Europe, not India, that will benefit most.

How India’s Migrant Labor Struggles During a Crisis

How India’s Migrant Labor Struggles During a Crisis

By Ashima Sharma
Existing laws can do little to protect the rights of migrant labor, especially during a crisis. Revisiting labor laws can remedy this.

What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
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What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?

India’s Ocean Ambitions: Can Bold Promises Become Reality?

India’s Ocean Ambitions: Can Bold Promises Become Reality?

By Sidhyendra Sisodia and Harsh Pandey
At the U.N. Ocean Conference, India signaled that it intends to be a proactive player in shaping the ocean’s future. Will that ambition result in concrete actions? 

Bihar Yearning for Change But the Election Is Wide Open

Bihar Yearning for Change But the Election Is Wide Open

By Satish K Jha
The Bharatiya Janata Party has successfully positioned itself as the chief custodian of Indian nationalism, but that is unlikely to help it electorally in Bihar.
National Elections in April 2026, Says Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Yunus

National Elections in April 2026, Says Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Yunus

By Shafi Md Mostofa
Previously, he had said that elections would be held in June next year.

Could CPEC Become South Asia’s Peace Corridor?

Could CPEC Become South Asia’s Peace Corridor?

By Yasir Masood
The recent decision to extend CPEC into Afghanistan is a boost to regional cooperation. But geopolitical rivalries cloud hopes.

The ‘But’ in the India Story

The ‘But’ in the India Story

By Muqtedar Khan
India is the fastest-growing major economy, but challenges persist.

Taliban’s Travel Diplomacy Aims to End Its International Isolation

Taliban’s Travel Diplomacy Aims to End Its International Isolation

By Muhammad Murad
The Taliban’s recent travel diplomacy and international engagements indicate the group is not as isolated as perceived abroad. 
Rahul Gandhi Calls out Bias of India’s Election Commission

Rahul Gandhi Calls out Bias of India’s Election Commission

By Kavita Chowdhury
In an article, the Leader of the Opposition detailed the “industrial scale rigging” of the Maharashtra Assembly elections in favor of the ruling BJP.

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