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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 Welcomes US-Maldives Defense Cooperation Agreement in a Sign of Times
By Abhijnan Rej
New Delhi’s growing willingness to work with external actors in the Indian Ocean could also create inadvertent complications.
No Exit From India’s Afghanistan Dilemma?
By Abhijnan Rej
As intra-Afghan talks start in Doha, India is left without a good hand to play vis-à-vis the Taliban.
Comparing Pandemic Responses in Bangladesh and Kerala
By M Niaz Asadullah and Antonio Savoia
Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response shows the need for increased state capacity in meeting challenges and shocks.
Can PTI and PPP Cooperate in Karachi?
By Umair Jamal
Karachi is in ruins and the likely cooperation between the PTI and PPP is not going to change anything.
US Wing of India’s BJP Registers as a ‘Foreign Agent’
By Abhijnan Rej
In the recent years, India’s ruling party has aggressively used the diaspora to promote Modi’s often-controversial policies.
Taliban Say Peace Talks With Afghan Team to Start Saturday
By Associated Press
The much-delayed talks are reportedly set to begin this weekend.
US Aims for 4,500 Troops in Afghanistan by November
By Catherine Putz
CENTCOM Commander McKenzie told reporters U.S. withdrawal plans aim for 4,500 troops in Afghanistan on a “October, late October, November time frame.”
India’s Rich Prosper During the Pandemic While Its Poor Stand Precariously at the Edge
By Bansari Kamdar
COVID-19 is increasing India’s economic inequality – which was very high even before the pandemic.
French Defense Minister Visits India Amid India-China Standoff
By Abhijnan Rej
The India-France defense relationship has emerged as a key element of New Delhi’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
Bombing Targets Afghan VP as Taliban Talks Again ‘Imminent’
By Catherine Putz
Amid the push to start talks, a recent bombing illustrates that Afghanistan's security problems are bigger than just the Taliban.
India’s Ambitious Nuclear Power Plan – And What’s Getting in Its Way
By Niharika Tagotra
The country has an ambitious three-stage nuclear power production plan.
Can Nepal’s Army Become a Threat to Its Democracy?
By Sushav Niraula
Nepal’s army has expanded its commercial interests while democratic governments have foundered on many fronts. That could be a problem for the country.