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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.
Pakistan Looks to Leverage SCO for Regional Support on Counterterrorism
By Umair Jamal
The SCO summit provided Pakistan with an opportunity to bring its concerns to a forum that includes its neighbors, key allies, and adversaries, such as China, Russia, and India.
What Draws People to India’s Fake ‘Godmen’?
By Kavita Chowdhury
‘Godman’ ‘Bhole Baba’ draws Dalits, the poor and illiterate in droves. At his recent congregation in Uttar Pradesh, 121 followers died in a stampede.
Foes CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress Turn Friends to Form New Nepali Government
By Sudha Ramachandran
The political promiscuity of its parties, not the electoral system, is responsible for the country’s prolonged instability.
A Grand Bargain with the Taliban in Doha
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
The Taliban certainly need to be engaged. But it can’t be at the cost of the rights of women and girls.
Vietnam, Not India, is in a Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Sweet Spot
By Chietigj Bajpaee
India does not lack potential, but on both the geopolitical and geoeconomic fronts it has yet to seize the moment.
The Doha Meeting: Where Were the Afghan Women?
By Amina Zurmati and Qudratullah Zurmati
By marginalizing Afghan women, the U.N. risks perpetuating the very injustices it aims to address.
Why Modi Made Russia the Destination of the First Bilateral Visit of His Third Term?
By Elizabeth Roche
The likely return of Trump as U.S. president is expected to reduce American support for Ukraine. Modi could be eyeing a peacemaker’s role in that conflict.
How Did a Religious Gathering in India Turn Into a Deadly Stampede?
By Biswajeet Banerjee and Krutika Pathi
The event was held in a tent in a muddy field and had permission for 80,000 to attend. Some 250,000 people showed up.
Medical Entrance Scam Charge Hits Modi Government
By Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
Irregularities in two top competitive exams have revived the federalism debate in India.
Stampede at Religious Event in India Kills at Least 116, Mostly Women and Children
By Biswajeet Banerjee
Thousands of people a rushed to leave a makeshift tent following an event with Hindu figure Bhole Baba. The resulting stampede left over 100 dead and 80 more injured.
Northeast India’s Battle Against Drugs
By Sajal Nag
The drug menace in India’s northeastern states has major implications for the country’s external and internal security.
What Modi 3.0 Can Expect from Maldives
By Athaulla A Rasheed
The appearance of Maldives President Muizzu alongside Narendra Modi signals the warming of the relationship between the island nation and regional power India.