South Asia

The United States and Pakistan were in an alliance of mutual convenience for much of the Cold War (although at odds for part of it) and have since been in a relationship of almost complete expediency.

The defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam last May has breathed new life into the democratic process for once marginalised groups in Tamil politics, says Sergei DeSilva-Ranasinghe. And, as Sri Lankans prepare to head to the polls, he says a new optimism is emerging that their society can be rebuilt.

India and Pakistan should be officially recognized as nuclear states, argues South Asia analyst Luv Puri, who says doing so will ease tensions and reduce the risk of nuclear material falling into terrorist hands.

Pakistan’s military claims it is in control as it battles militants in South Waziristan. But a media blackout and a string of suicide bombings has raised questions about how decisive the offensive has really been, Ghulam Ghaus reports.

Twenty-five years on, campaigners say the world’s worst-ever industrial accident is still claiming victims. Sanjay Kumar visits Bhopal in India and speaks to the locals who say their government has failed them badly.

The Diplomat speaks with South Asia analyst Haider Mullick about Pakistan’s counter-insurgency efforts, conspiracy theories and the prospects for stability in Afghanistan.

They embraced the religion of their invaders to escape the caste system that had condemned them to a miserable existence. But Karlos Zurutuza reports on how, centuries later, Christians in the Taliban stronghold of Quetta are once again becoming ‘untouchables.’

A recent influx of young lawmakers to India’s parliament masks a lack of dynamism in an increasingly dynastic political system. Shreyasi Singh takes a look at the threat of politicians keeping it in the family, and discovers the drive for change is coming from a surprising source.

The Diplomat speaks with Lawrence Prabhakar, Professor of Political Science at India’s Madras Christian College, about Manmohan Singh’s recent trip to Washington, Indo-US ties and China’s growing maritime presence in the Indian Ocean.

Watchers of Asia’s two big rising powers are getting it wrong, says The Diplomat’s Madhav Nalapat. In focusing on economics and a border dispute, they are overlooking the biggest irritant to ties: a soft-spoken monk who was granted asylum in India 50 years ago.

After decades in exile, some Tibetans are beginning to question whether the breathtaking location in India that has served as their temporary residence might, despite their best hopes, be taking on the trappings of a more permanent home. Saransh Sehgal meets the exiles living in Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama.