Founded in 2009, the South Asia Center expanded Atlantic Council’s analysis of the region. SAC has consistently engaged the robust research expertise of all sixteen Atlantic Council programs to offer a distinctive perspective on South Asia.

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New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2024

Why Zelenskyy should visit India (and what he should focus on once he is there)

By Srujan Palkar

A visit by the Ukrainian president would be sure to capture a lot of attention. But to make substantive progress in developing Ukraine-India relations, the agenda will need to zero in on three specific areas.

India Politics & Diplomacy

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Sep 10, 2024

‘The death of Hazaras is permissible.’ What it’s like to protest the Taliban as a minority woman.

By Tamana Rezaei

Tamana Rezaei recounts the compounding dangers she faced as a woman and member of the Hazara minority protesting the Taliban’s rule.

Human Rights Resilience

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Aug 26, 2024

The Taliban’s violence ‘ignited a fierce resistance within me.’ A protester’s story.

By Nayra Kohestani

Nayra Kohestani recounts the abuse and imprisonment she and her children suffered for resisting the Taliban’s gender apartheid regime.

Afghanistan Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Aug 14, 2024

I was imprisoned and tortured by the Taliban for protesting gender apartheid in Afghanistan

By Zholia Parsi

Zholia Parsi describes protesting against gender apartheid in Afghanistan after the Taliban returned and abuse she faced as a result.

Afghanistan Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2024

Hasina is out. Yunus is in. Here are the three biggest factors to watch in Bangladesh.

By Ali Riaz

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled Bangladesh, and Nobel Prize–winner Muhammad Yunus will lead an interim government. But several important questions remain unanswered.

Bangladesh India

New Atlanticist

Aug 2, 2024

A violent crackdown has put Bangladesh at a crossroads

By Ali Riaz

At least two hundred people have been killed and thousands more injured in protests that included law enforcement firing on protestors.

Bangladesh Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2024

Climate change was a hidden force in India’s elections. Now Modi needs to deliver solutions.

By Shék Jain

The coalition government must adopt long-term climate solutions that connect to the livelihoods of India’s youth and agricultural sector.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jun 7, 2024

Modi should make India’s energy transition his third-term legacy

By Kapil Sharma

There are three opportunities that the Modi government could take right away to further support and strengthen its clean energy agenda.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 4, 2024

Experts react: Modi loses ground in an electoral surprise. What will his third term look like now?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts outline how Modi may govern in a third term as prime minister now that his party is set to lose its majority in parliament.

Elections India

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2024

What India and the world could expect from a Modi 3.0

By Gopal Nadadur

If victorious in this year’s elections, Modi will likely prioritize economic reforms, infrastructure, and growing India’s global profile.

Economy & Business Elections