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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.
The Fall of Secular Bengali Nationalism
By Shafi Md Mostofa
Post-revolution Bangladesh is undergoing a decisive ideological shift away from the secularism that has defined much of its post-independence narrative.
NPP Poised for Victory in Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Election
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The opposition has not fully understood the public demand for change.
Key Takeaways From the Islamabad SCO Summit
By Namita Barthwal
The heads of government meeting highlighted the organization’s evolving dynamics, with China’s growing influence to India's ambivalence.
India and China Reach Breakthrough Agreement on Border Tensions
By Sudha Ramachandran
The two sides have agreed on patrolling arrangements along their disputed border in the Himalayas.
Why India Needs to Incentivize Water Reuse
By Anshuman
To encourage greater water reuse, India must prioritize infrastructure development, implement sound policies, and allow private sector participation.
Forging New Alliances: India’s BRICS Summit Diplomacy in Russia
By Vivek N.D.
Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Russia for the BRICS summit is critical as India seeks to deepen strategic ties with Russia, engage with China, and contribute to global governance reforms.
The Problem With Bangladesh’s Reform Commissions
By Mubashar Hasan
There is public support for the reform of institutions. But questions are being raised about the lack of inclusivity and transparency.
No Perceptible Thaw in India-Pakistan Ties
By Elizabeth Roche
The big news from Islamabad was that India's foreign minister visited Pakistan, Pakistani officials made no mention of Kashmir, and there were no acrimonious exchanges.
Why Some People Are Calling an Indian Professor’s Death an Institutional Murder
By Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
G. N. Saibaba, a paraplegic scholar spent nearly a decade in jail for alleged links with Maoists. He came out acquitted, but in worse health.
Maldivian President’s India Visit: From ‘India Out’ to ‘India in’?
By Shishir Priyadarshi
Anti-India rhetoric may have helped Muizzu win the presidency. But he cannot ignore the strategic necessity of maintaining strong ties with New Delhi.
Eastward Shifts: The SCO’s Quest to Redefine Regional Power Amid Global Multipolarity
By Maha Ali
There is a growing tension between Pakistan's internal political fractures and the external desire for regional stability.
India’s West Asia Quandary
By Adya Madhavan
Other governments that enjoy friendly ties with Israel have not hesitated to criticize it. What explains India’s reluctance?