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.
As Intra-Afghan Talks Loom, Female Member of Kabul Negotiating Team Attacked
By Catherine Putz
Fawzia Koofi is one of just five women on the Afghan government's negotiating team.
In India, a Man Can Still Legally Rape His Wife
By Bansari Kamdar
Marital rape, colonial hangover, and patriarchal impunity 73 years later.
What Does the China-Iran Deal Mean for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor?
By Muhammad Tayyab Safdar and Joshua Zabin
China and Iran’s new deal is a big win for Pakistan -- and a bigger loss for India.
Perpetual Silence: Kashmir’s Economy Slumps Under Lockdown
By Niha Dagia and Niha Dagia
“Our lockdown began way before the world was forced into isolation.”
Has Kashmir Ceased to Be Pakistan’s Jugular Vein?
By Umair Jamal
It is high time that Pakistan’s policymakers trim the size of their Kashmir narrative to match the evident realities.
Is Pakistan Losing Saudi Arabia?
By Sudha Ramachandran
By attempting to arm-twist Riyadh on the Kashmir issue, Islamabad is undermining relations with a long-time patron.
Indian Frustration With China Grows
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
New Delhi’s responses to Beijing’s efforts -- such as raising the Kashmir issue at the U.N. -- are becoming increasingly harsh.
With Final Prisoner Release, Afghanistan Takes a Giant Step Toward Peace
By Ahmad Mohibi
At long last, the Afghan government and the Taliban are ready to start their long-delayed peace talks.
Why Did Pakistan Lay Claim to the Indian Territory of Junagadh?
By Krzysztof Iwanek
The Junagadh issue had once been used to raise points in the Kashmir dispute. But this is no longer of significance.
China’s Stake in Bangladesh Is Overplayed
By Adam Pitman
The China-India conflict has inspired more paternalism against Bangladesh’s rapidly developing economy.
India-Myanmar Border on High Alert After Ambush by Separatist Rebels
By StoriesAsia
The ambush came amid a reshuffling of the Naga separatist movement in Myanmar.
India Under Strain Across South Asia
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
India’s regional relations are almost all in states of distress. That’s a big problem for New Delhi.