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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.
Arvind Kejriwal Can Campaign in Elections After Being Granted Bail by India’s Supreme Court
By Ashok Sharma
The Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi chief minister was arrested in a bribery case critics see as politically motivated.
The Crisis of India’s Parliamentary Democracy
By Sumantra Bose
Parliament’s hollowing out can only be checked, and reversed, by a successful electoral challenge to the Modi personality cult.
India Urges Pro-China Maldives to Ease Tensions
By Ashok Sharma
The Indian and Maldivian foreign ministers met in New Delhi a day ahead of the deadline for the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the archipelago.
Deportation of Myanmar Nationals From Manipur Could Favor Myanmar’s Junta
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Resistance forces fighting the junta in Sagaing Region may not be able to retreat to Manipur for shelter, henceforth.
What Underlies Modi’s Frequent Election Rallies in Maharashtra?
By Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
The BJP’s power play in the western Indian state has generated sympathy for the opposition alliance. The latter is, however, organizationally weak.
Is Narendra Modi Losing Ground in India’s General Election?
By Ashutosh
Despite a serious resource crunch and a lack of cohesive election strategy, the INDIA coalition is gaining traction. Where is the Modi magic?
Why Is Bangladesh Seeking a $5 Billion Soft Loan From China?
By Ali Riaz
An unaccountable governance system will keep the conditions of the loan hidden.
Taliban Push Back Against Pakistani Accusations of Involvement in Recent Attacks
By Catherine Putz
A spokesperson for Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense said, “Blaming Afghanistan for such incidents is a failed attempt to divert attention from the truth of the matter and we strongly reject it.”
Dravidian Cosmopolitanism and the Making of a Global Tamil Nadu
By R. Vidya , Adarsh Vijay, and S. Kiran Raghul Raj
There is no doubt that the state is becoming increasingly serious about how it looks at the world and how the world looks at it.
Pakistan’s Military Says March Suicide Attack That Killed 5 Chinese Was Planned in Afghanistan
By Munir Ahmed
An army spokesperson said the attack, which killed Chinese engineers working on Pakistan’s Dasu Dam, was carried out by an Afghan national.
Iran’s Outreach to Sri Lanka and the Quest for Regional Influence
By Nadeem Ahmed Moonakal
With recent attempts to strengthen bilateral ties with South Asian countries, Iran intends to project its diplomatic clout both domestically and globally.
What Is the State of US Assistance to Afghanistan and Afghans?
By Catherine Putz
The U.S. remains the largest donor to the Afghan people, though funding has certainly dwindled since 2021.