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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.
Calls for ISKCON Ban Grow Louder in Bangladesh
By Saqlain Rizve
The arrest of a former ISKCON monk, now a prominent Hindu activist, has sparked tensions among communities in the country.
Debating Victimhood: The Complexities of Forced Criminality in Southeast Asia’s Scam Compounds
By Jacob Sims
Tens of thousands of people have been trafficked and abused by the region's scam syndicates, but governments are often reluctant to recognize them as "victims."
A Town in Uttar Pradesh Emerges As India’s Latest Hindutva Battleground
By Kavita Chowdhury
Violence erupted early this week in the town of Sambhal when a court-monitored team visited a 16th-century mosque to see if a Hindu temple existed there previously.
How Vulnerable Is Gwadar to Climate-related Risks?
By Mariyam Suleman Anees
Rising sea levels and groundwater rise are climate vulnerabilities faced by coastal towns worldwide, including Gwadar. But a more critical concern is Gwadar’s geography.
Draconian Counter-Insurgency Law Reimposed in Parts of Disturbed Manipur
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Manipur’s Meitei-dominated Imphal valley has erupted in protests against the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Maldives Opposition Cries Foul as Muizzu Government Amends Constitution to Deter Defections
By Ahmed Naish
The new anti-defection rules effectively allow parties to enforce their whip line with the threat of removal from office.
Sino-Pakistani Counterterrorism Collaboration Grows
By Umair Jamal
Pakistan may seek China's assistance in exerting pressure on Baloch militant sanctuaries located in Afghanistan.
COP29: India’s Position Highlights the Deep Schisms in Climate Action
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Differing national priorities and objectives have always been a roadblock in developing a unified approach in the world’s fight against climate change.
Escalating Militant Violence in Pakistan
By Abdul Basit
So far in November, Pakistan has suffered around 89 terrorist attacks, including five suicide bombings, which left 298 people dead.
COP29 Outcomes and South Asian Concerns
By Saqlain Rizve
There is concern in the region that much of the climate finance being extended is in the form of loans that could get them debt-trapped.
Why Sri Lanka Must Rethink its Engagement with Adani Group
By Rathindra Kuruwita
For the new government, acting upon deals with Adani is more than a legal or economic issue. It is a test of its commitment to fighting corruption.
Despite Grief and Trauma, Bangladeshi Youth Are Hopeful
By Mubashar Hasan
Bangladesh has emerged from an era of great repression. Will resilience propel the country forward on the road to democracy?