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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.
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.
Officials Try to Deliver Aid to Flooded South Asia Villages
By Julhas Alam and Wasbir Hussain
Floods have ravaged India’s Northeastern state of Assam and Bangladesh’s Sylhet district.
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.
Attack on Sikh Temple in Kabul Deals Another Blow to Afghan Sikh Community
By Sudha Ramachandran
The assault, which was carried out by ISKP, will slow India’s decision to re-open its embassy in the Afghan capital.
Can India Help ASEAN Escape Superpower Rivalry?
By Mohamed Zeeshan
The Southeast Asian bloc hopes that India will help maintain the regional balance of power and slowly wean it off its trade dependence on China.
Protests Rage Over India’s New Military Recruitment Policy
By Ashok Sharma
By retiring new recruits within four years, the government is hoping to avoid paying them a pension, which is a major drain on the military budget.
Another Anti-India Wave Sweeps Bangladesh
By Shafi Md Mostofa
Despite mass demonstrations protesting the comments by BJP leaders defaming the Prophet, the Awami League government has remained silent.