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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.
‘Joint Vision’ With India Raises Concerns in Sri Lanka
By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya
The outcomes of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to India faced criticisms over a lack of transparency and potential threats to sovereignty.
Bill to Stifle Criticism of Pakistani Intelligence Figures Set to Become Law
By Munir Ahmed
Former PM Imran Khan had publicly disclosed the names of senior intelligence officers, saying they were conspiring against him.
India’s Top Court Hearing Petitions Challenging Government’s Removal of Kashmir’s Special Status
By Sheikh Saaliq and Aijaz Hussain
While deeply unpopular in Kashmir, the move resonated in much of India, where the Modi government was cheered by supporters.
India-Sri Lanka Vision Document: Old Wine, New Bottle?
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Much of the plans outlined in the statement have been discussed for years and not implemented because they are not viable.
Modi Government Acts to Hasten the ‘Slow Death’ of India’s Right to Information Act
By Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
If passed by Parliament, the Digital Data Protection Bill will deal a severe blow to transparency in government functioning.
Sri Lankan President Visits India, Highlights Close Relations
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Last year’s economic crisis crippled the island nation, but it also provided India an opening to offset some of the inroads that China has made in Sri Lanka.
IS Claims Responsibility for Bombing at an Election Rally in Pakistan
By Anwarullah Khan and Riaz Khan
The attack targeted a Pakistani party that has close ties with the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban.
Navigating the Kuki-Meitei Conflict in India’s Manipur State
By Shruti Rathore
The failure of the government to act swiftly to stem the violence has deepened the ethnic divide and will make the conflict harder to resolve.
Why is Modi Scared of INDIA?
By Ashutosh
The name of the opposition alliance is a bold announcement that the BJP/RSS can’t claim India as their own as they are opposed to the very idea itself.
Is Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Merging Into al-Qaida?
By Abdul Basit
Why would the TTP, which was rejuvenated by the Taliban victory in Afghanistan, subsume itself into a group that is ideologically and operationally weaker?
Why Nepal Needs to Debate the Role of Its Army
By Santosh Sharma Poudel
When political leaders commented recently about the need to rightsize the Nepal armed forces, former army chiefs and others bristled.
Political Storm Brews in Election-Bound Bangladesh
By Mubashar Hasan
Despite efforts by the government to decimate rivals, the opposition BNP is drawing huge crowds at rallies.