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.
Pakistan in a Difficult Spot Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Tensions
By Umair Jamal
The government cannot afford to annoy Western countries, whose support it needs for loans. But the Pakistani public is angry with Israel.
Divided INDIA Bloc Could Help BJP in India’s Jammu & Kashmir
By Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
The upcoming general election is the first in J&K since the Modi government’s controversial decision in August 2019 to revoke its autonomy and strip it of its statehood.
Indian Citizenship Law’s Exclusion of Sri Lankan Tamils
By Roshni Kapur
Political and security considerations outweigh humanitarian concerns in determining the fast-tracking of Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities in India’s neighborhood.
Breakaway Factions Could Erode Support of Parent Parties in Maldivian Elections
By Ahmed Naish
The split between the MDP and The Democrats, for example, could undermine the MDP’s chances.
In Pakistan, Fears of Deportation Plague Afghan Refugees Waiting for Resettlement
By Mohammad Iqbal Sekandari
The deportation risk faced by many Afghan refugees in Pakistan is rooted in the lengthy U.S. resettlement process. Forced to wait, the risks of deportation mount.
Congress Party’s Election Manifesto Creates a Buzz
By Kavita Chowdhury
Its focus on job creation, which has been among the top concerns of respondents in a recent survey, has rattled the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Afghanistan’s Taliban Leaders Issue Different Messages For Eid
By Riazat Butt
They signal tensions between hardliners and moderates who want to scrap harsher policies to win outside support.
How India’s Beaches Can Unlock a Nuclear-powered Future
By Rudra Prasad Pradhan and Kalyani Yeola
India’s indigenous nuclear reactor prototype and abundant thorium reserves hold the key to the country’s future energy security.
LEAP: A Catalyst for the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia IT Partnership
By Mustafa Bilal
This year’s LEAP showcased 74 Pakistani firms, underlining the trend of Pakistan’s increasing engagement with Saudi Arabia on IT.
In Eid Message, Taliban Leader Lashes out at Critics in the International Community
By Catherine Putz
“If anyone has any issues with us, we are open to resolving them, but we will never compromise on our principles or Islam,” Akhundzada said.
Modi Reopens Settled Dispute with Sri Lanka to Woo Tamil Voters
By Rathindra Kuruwita
India and Sri Lanka signed an agreement in 1974 recognizing Sri Lankan sovereignty over the tiny island of Katchatheevu.
Uttarakhand’s Civil Code Breeds an Indian Surveillance State
By Sadaf Javed and Reecha Das
Efforts to address social issues risk being co-opted for political gain or used to further divisive agendas.