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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.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa: Pakistan’s Democratic General
By Umair Jamal
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff sought to ensure that the military confined itself to the role defined for it under the constitution.
Sri Lanka Aims to Hike Taxes in Budget to Soften Crisis
By Bharatha Mallawarachi
The Wickremesinghe government plans to more than double tax revenue to be able to meet expenditure without having to print currency.
Bangladesh’s ‘War on Drugs’ Shoots Up Narcotic Supplies From India
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Myanmar-made yaba, heroin and brown sugar, and India-produced phensedyl are flowing into Bangladesh via India’s northeast.
India’s Opportunity in Post-Crisis Sri Lanka
By Avinandan Choudhury
India can follow up on its humanitarian and financial aid by building holistic maritime security and connectivity linkages with its neighbor.
Can India Rein In Putin’s Worst Impulses in Ukraine?
By Mohamed Zeeshan
It is hard to see how India can influence the Russian president, given its military and economic dependence on his country.
Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar Goes to Russia
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
New Delhi’s relations with Moscow continue to be good, but the long-term prognosis is complicated, especially by China.
India, ASEAN Elevating Ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
By Niranjan Marjani
Will a new level of partnership give the boost India-ASEAN relations need?
Imran Khan’s Long March Isn’t About Strengthening Civilian Forces in Pakistan
By Umair Jamal
The PTI chief is unwilling to talk to the civilian government and wants the generals to mediate in the crisis to deliver his demands.
Pakistan FM Seeks Compensation for Damages Caused by Floods
By Kevin Chan and Munir Ahmed
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has called for debts owed by developing countries to rich countries to be written off, allowing them to spend that money on clean energy.
The Election Manifestos of Nepal’s Parties Run Along Predictable Lines
By Santosh Sharma Poudel
Parties remain hooked on the idea of following a "balanced" foreign policy and hyphenating India-China and China-U.S. in the country's foreign relations.
South Asia Is Missing out on the Clean Energy Transition
By Muhammad Salar Khan and Ammar A. Malik
Countries in South Asia must be technologically empowered in their fight against climate change, but new investments have stagnated.
Bangladesh Balances Energy Needs With Climate, Conservation
By Julhas Alam, Al-Emrun and Sibi Arasu
While the coal-fired Rampal power plant will generate 1,320 megawatts of electricity it will destroy mangrove forests, a natural barrier against climate change.