Blog
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.
Bulldozers Emerge as an Important Weapon in BJP’s Anti-Muslim Arsenal
By Kavita Chowdhury
The demolition of properties owned by Muslims was electorally rewarded in Uttar Pradesh. The tactic is being adopted in other parts of India now too.
India’s Hindutva Groups Have the Gyanvapi Mosque in Their Crosshairs
By Tarushi Aswani
Hindutva groups are laying claim to a growing number of sites where Muslim monuments and mosques stand, arguing that temples once stood on the same land.
Is Gwadar’s New Development Prepared to Handle Its Weather?
By Mariyam Suleman Anees
Gwadar often sees intense seasonal rains that can cause flooding. Recent CPEC-linked development in the rapidly growing city may be making that problem worse.
China Becomes Wild Card in Sri Lanka’s Debt Crisis
By Bharatha Mallawarachi, Krutika Pathi and Joe McDonald
Beijing has promised to “play a positive role” in talks with the IMF and offered Colombo more loans but is reluctant to cut its debt.
Rains Submerge Infrastructure in India’s Northeast
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Will this be the fate too of roads and rails planned to link this landlocked region with South and Southeast Asia?
Pakistan’s Relations With Taliban Regime Worsen
By Kathy Gannon
The Afghan Taliban prefer to broker peace rather than crack the whip on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Pakistan’s New Government Mends Ties With the US
By Umair Jamal
Rapprochement could help ease Pakistan’s troubles with negotiating loans from the IMF.
Has the Sri Lankan Crisis Triggered a Change in Ethnic Relations?
By Eranga Jayawardena
For the first time ever, an event held by mostly Sinhalese also memorialized Tamil victims of the decades-long civil war.
Sri Lanka’s Meltdown Puts China’s Strategic Influence in Jeopardy
By Mohamed Zeeshan
The decline of the Rajapaksas has adversely hit Chinese fortunes in the Indian Ocean island and sullied its image among other Belt and Road partners.
India’s Pandemic Mortality: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
By Ameya Pratap Singh
A WHO attempt to estimate India’s excess deaths during the pandemic sparked major backlash.
Cyber Radicalization by Bangladeshi Islamists
By Shafi Md Mostofa
Bangladeshi Islamists may not have carried out attacks in recent years but they are active online.
The Clock’s Ticking on Pakistan’s Economic Bailout
By Niha Dagia
The new government could either take the decision of cutting fuel subsidies or call for fresh elections and leave that tough decision to an interim government.