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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.
Virus Outbreak in India Market Could Cause Cases to Snowball
By Associated Press
With 2,008 cases, including 545 detected in the past two days, Chennai now accounts for half of Tamil Nadu's total of 4,058 cases.
Time for India to Try Its Hand at Brokering Peace on the Korean Peninsula
By Ameya Pratap Singh
India played an important role during the Korean War. Can New Delhi reclaim its pedigree as a peace broker?
Why Is the State of Sikkim India’s COVID–19 Exception?
By StoriesAsia
Why did the small Himalayan state not get hit hard by the pandemic?
In Looking Beyond Its Lockdown, India Can Look to Its Past Public Health Successes
By Mohamed Zeeshan
India needs a long-term exit strategy to break out of its lockdown.
Killing of PTM Leader Further Antagonizes Pakistan Pashtun Rights Defenders
By Daud Khattak
Sardar Arif Wazir was killed by armed men on May 1.
In Random Test of 500 in Afghan Capital, One-Third Had Virus
By Associated Press
Afghanistan’s health care system, devastated by four decades of war, is woefully unprepared for a major outbreak.
SEALs Tried to Locate US Citizen Taken by Afghan Militants
By Associated Press
Mark R. Frerichs, a contractor, was captured by members of the Haqqani network in late January.
Sailors Become Biggest Cluster of Infections in Sri Lanka
By Associated Press
Out of 30 cases discovered in the last 24 hours, 22 are navy sailors.
The Battles That Can Cost South Asia the War Against COVID-19
By Said Sabir Ibrahimi and Syed Mafiz Kamal
Communal tensions, misinformation, and poverty: across South Asia, governments are facing similar issues in their COVID-19 responses.
Afghan Officials: Suicide Bomber Kills 3 Civilians in Kabul
By Associated Press
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Afghan officials have blamed the Taliban.
Imran Khan Appoints the Pakistani Military’s Former Media Chief as Special Assistant
By Umair Jamal
Imran Khan brings in a former ISPR chief to ramp up his government’s information game.
US Religious Freedom Watchdog Highlights ‘Campaigns of Harassment and Violence’ Against Minorities in India
By Ankit Panda
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom gave India its lowest rating in the annual report for 2020.