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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.
Colombo Lotus Tower and the Case for Transparency
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The project cost Sri Lanka $113 million, maintenance costs are reportedly huge and annual revenue is pegged at present at around $8.2 million. When will it recover its expenditure?
India’s Top Court Split on School Ban on Muslim Headscarves
By Ashok Sharma
Petitioners against the ban had argued that disallowing girls from wearing the hijab would keep them from attending school, thus jeopardizing their education.
US, German Statements on Kashmir Raise Hope in Pakistan
By Umair Jamal
How Islamabad can benefit in the long run from the opportunity that appears to have opened up is unclear.
New Islamist Militant Outfit Emerges in Bangladesh
By Shafi Md Mostofa
Seven members of al-Qaida-affiliated Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya were arrested recently.
Hasina’s Pitch for Solving the Rohingya Crisis
By Kamal Uddin Ahmed
Bangladesh’s prime minister highlighted the issue in her UNGA speech. Will anyone listen?
India-Australia Ties: Assessing Jaishankar’s Australia Trip
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
India and Australia’s relationship has progressed remarkably, underscoring shared concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
A Non-Gandhi Will Helm India’s Congress Party After 25 Years
By Kavita Chowdhury
In the fray for the post of party president are veteran Dalit politician Kharge and diplomat-turned-politician Tharoor.
Kashmiri Separatist Leader Dies in Police Custody
By Associated Press
Altaf Ahmad Shah was in Delhi’s Tihar jail since 2017 in a terror funding case.
It’s Election Season in Nepal Again
By Santosh Sharma Poudel
Parties have come together in pre-election alliances, but will these alliances hold after the results are announced?
Pakistan Army Chief Visits US to Reaffirm Stability of Ties
By Umair Jamal
This was General Bajwa’s last trip to Washington before his six-year term as military chief ends in November.
Sri Lanka Begins Crucial Debt Restructuring Talks with China
By Krishan Francis
Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt and has suspended repaying its $51 billion foreign debt, of which it must repay $28 billion by 2027.
India Bans Popular Front of India and its Affiliates for Five Years
By Shafi Md Mostofa
An Islamist group that uses the grievance discourse to mobilize supporters, the PFI has over 500,000 members across India.