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.
India Bars Pro-Palestinian Protests in Kashmir
By Aijaz Hussain and Sheikh Saaliq
It is aimed at curbing any form of protest that could turn into demands for ending New Delhi’s rule over the restive region.
Masks are Back, Construction Banned and Schools Shut as Toxic Air Engulfs New Delhi
By Shonal Ganguly and Piyush Nagpal
In winter, the burning of crop residues in neighboring states coincides with cooler temperatures that trap hazardous smoke.
Air Quality Woes: A Joint Struggle for India and Pakistan
By Abdul Waheed Bhutto
Effectively addressing this challenge requires the governments of both India and Pakistan to prioritize year-round efforts aimed at reducing emissions.
India’s Cyber Vulnerabilities Grow
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Unless India makes cybersecurity and security of information and data a priority, the consequences will be severe.
Aid Trickles Into Nepal Villages Struck by Earthquake
By Binaj Gurubacharya
Most homes in the quake-hit districts of Jajarkot and Rukum, where houses are traditionally built by stacking rocks and logs, collapsed.
How Corruption Gets in the Way of Happiness in Bangladesh
By Mahmudul Islam
If high GDP growth alone could make a nation happier, Bangladesh’s happiness ranking should have advanced over time.
What is Driving Pakistan’s Decision to Deport Illegal Migrants?
By Umair Jamal
The large migrant population is a drain on Pakistani resources and militants among the migrants threaten its security.
A New Generation of Women and Girls Defying Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan
By Anushka Sisodia
While international leaders neglect to take meaningful, coordinated action, women and girls in Afghanistan and in exile remain on the frontlines of resistance.
The Costs of India’s Abstention on Gaza Truce Resolution
By Sudha Ramachandran
Not only has India lost its moral voice but also, its abstention undermines its claims to leadership of the Global South.
A True Middle Kingdom: Why Is India’s Foreign Policy So Stable?
By Krzysztof Iwanek
The Indian opposition is unlikely to change New Delhi’s approach to Russia if it comes to power.
Bukhara-e-Hind: Rampur’s Lost History
By Aheed Khan
Today, Rampur is best known as a Muslim “vote bank” in Uttar Pradesh. Its history as a vibrant syncretic cultural hub has been lost.
Pakistan Swoops Down on Illegal Afghan Immigrants
By Munir Ahmed and Riaz Khan
With the deadline for them to leave expiring, Pakistan has begun rounding up, detaining and deporting dozens of Afghans.