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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-Nepal Territorial Dispute Flares up Again
By Santosh Sharma Poudel
Indian Prime Minister Modi spoke of a road through disputed Lipulekh with an eye on Hindu votes. It could deepen anti-India nationalism in Nepal.
Conflict Over Afghanistan’s UN Seat Widens
By Catherine Putz
The wrangling over Afghanistan's U.N. seat is microcosm of the larger political battlefield in Afghanistan.
Mauritius Presses Claim for Indian Ocean Islands Under ‘Unlawful’ UK Administration
By David Rising
The ICJ founded in 2019 that Mauritius is the rightful owner of the Chagos Islands, which are currently administered by Britain and host a crucial U.S. military base.
Muslim Students Wearing Hijab Barred From School in India
By Sheikh Saaliq
A Karnataka High Court is hearing petitions filed by the students and will rule on the high school’s decision to ban the hijab.
Bangladesh and Myanmar Resume Talks on Rohingya Repatriation
By Shafi Md Mostofa
If the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine state does not instill confidence in the Rohingya refugees, voluntary repatriation would be impossible.
Pakistan: Areas Cleared After Militant Attacks Kill 9 Troops
By Abdul Sattar
Authorities say they have quelled an insurgency launched by Baluch separatists demanding independence from Pakistan, but attacks have continued in recent years.
Kashmir Journalist Arrested Under India’s Anti-Terror Law
By Associated Press
Police accused the journalist of publishing “anti-national content,” without specifying what it is.
China and Pakistan Reiterate Support to Each Other’s Core Interests
By Umair Jamal
The joint statement issued during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Beijing was silent on any Chinese hard cash investment in CPEC projects.
How to Deliver Aid to Afghanistan, Responsibly
By Catherine Putz
In its latest quarterly report, SIGAR suggests 10 best practices for donors and agencies seeking to aid Afghans in a desperate time.
Schools Close, Fairs on Amid Omicron Surge in Bangladesh
By Julhas Alam
The school closures are raising eyebrows at a time when Bangladesh is still allowing business events and other major gatherings.
‘Disciplinary Gangs’ in Pakistani Academia
By Arsim Tariq
From universities to research think tanks, academic disciplinary gangs impede interdisciplinary, creative, and aesthetic endeavors to move beyond a security- and state-centric vision of international relations.
Who Will Muslim Voters Support in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election?
By Tarushi Aswani
The state's Muslim voters are expected to back the party in the strongest position to defeat the BJP.