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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.
G20 Showcases a New India to the World
By Mohamed Zeeshan
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has changed both for better and for worse. The two sides were on display this weekend.
Maldives Presidential Election Heads to a Run-off
By Krishan Francis
The September 30 vote will see the pro-China frontrunner Mohamed Muizzu pitted against the pro-India incumbent Mohamed Solih.
Channel 4 Documentary Reveals Sri Lanka’s Political Divisions
By Uditha Devapriya
How will the bombshell charge that the Rajapaksas were complicit in the 2019 Easter bombings impact Sri Lankan politics?
G20 Agreement Reflects Sharp Differences Over Ukraine
By Associated Press
It also signals the rising clout of the Global South.
Biden, Modi and G20 Allies Unveil Connectivity Project Linking India to Middle East and Europe
By Aamer Madhani and Josh Boak
In addition to boosting trade, the proposed rail and shipping corridor will provide a physical and ideological alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The Truth About Pakistan-Russia Ties
By Muhammad Sarmad Zia
A close look at the substance of the relationship shows a marked lack of political will, or even interest, on both sides.
With ‘One Nation, One Election’ Call, Modi Government Intensifies Efforts to Centralize Power
By Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
The move has triggered apprehensions over the fate of state assembly elections due in a few months.
Biden and Modi Look to Tighten US-India Ties as Concerns Over China Rise
By Aamer Madhani and Josh Boak
The two leaders are poles apart ideologically, but are drawn together by China's military and economic maneuverings in the Indo-Pacific.
Nepal’s MCC Agreement With the US Officially Begins
By Sacha Shaw
The once controversial U.S. program has largely slipped from the public’s eye in the years following its ratification by the Nepali Parliament.
The Disappearance and Arbitrary Detention of Rohingya Refugee Leader Dil Mohammed
By Shafiur Rahman
Dil Mohammed was abducted from a Rohingya refugee settlement in January, only to appear in a Bangladeshi jail in May.
India’s Rising Geopolitical Clout Will Be Tested as It Hosts the G-20 Summit
By Krutika Pathi
By focusing on issues affecting developing countries, like food and fuel insecurity and debt, India is projecting itself as the leader of the Global South.
Sri Lanka Will Investigate Allegations of Intelligence Complicity in 2019 Easter Bombings
By Krishan Francis
A British TV report alleged that a top intelligence official helped plan the bombings in a plot to bolster the election chances of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.