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The South Asia Center is the hub for the Atlantic Council’s analysis of the political, social, geographical, and cultural diversity of the region. ​At the intersection of South Asia and its geopolitics, SAC cultivates dialogue to shape policy and forge ties between the region and the global community.

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The South Asia Center serves as the Atlantic Council’s focal point for work on greater South Asia as well as its relations between these countries, the neighboring regions, Europe, and the United States.



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Webinars

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 14, 2020

Surveying opinions from rural India on the COVID-19 lockdown

By South Asia Center

India is now several week into the government-mandated lockdown intended to control the spread of COVID-19. Led by Non-Resident Senior Fellow Dr Edmond Fernandes, the CHD Group and the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center surveyed Indian citizens in rural Karnataka to capture the impact of the outbreak and lockdown on their access to public health services […]

Coronavirus Hindi

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 9, 2020

The unique challenges posed by COVID-19 in Iran and Afghanistan

By South Asia Center

The following interview was conducted on April 7th, 2020. On the 7th of April 2020, the South Asia Center and the Future of Iran Initiative hosted a virtual panel on Iran and Afghanistan’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, moderated by Nonresident Senior Fellow Fatemeh Aman. The panel consisted of Dr. Fatima Rezaei, Iran Country […]

Afghanistan Coronavirus

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 24, 2020

India’s public health response to COVID-19 with Dr. Edmond Fernandes, MD

By South Asia Center

The following interview was conducted on March 23, 2020. Let’s just start with the basic facts. To the best of your knowledge as of this evening, March 24, 2020, what is the situation in India right now. What are the total number of infections, what has been the main origin, is there community spread occurring […]

Coronavirus India

Content

SouthAsiaSource

Jan 26, 2023

How a health attache can elevate global health diplomacy

By South Asia Center

In his recently published issue brief "Health attaches are the missing link in global diplomacy," non-resident senior fellow Dr. Edmond Fernandes argues that health attaches are the missing piece in diplomacy. To launch the brief, the South Asia Center convened a panel of experts.

Coronavirus International Organizations

Issue Brief

Dec 5, 2022

Health attaches are the missing link in global diplomacy

By Dr. Edmond Fernandes

Given the globalized nature of the modern world, with frequent travel and people living outside their home countries for extended periods for a variety of reasons, standardizing a healthcare liaison from one’s home government would be a crucial step in internationalizing public health diplomacy.

Coronavirus Human Rights

In the News

Jul 18, 2022

Lakhani quoted in The Print: Pakistan’s start-up industry is collapsing

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economy & Business

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 27, 2022

COVID-19 and tourism in the Himalayan & Indian Ocean countries of South Asia 

By South Asia Center

While in 2019 tourism was among the fastest growing sectors in South Asia, the pandemic resulted in billions of dollars in losses across the region. To understand these developments, the South Asia Center brought together a panel of experts to discuss COVID-19 and the future of tourism in the Himalayan and Indian Ocean Countries of South Asia.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

In the News

Dec 6, 2021

Fernandes on Forbes India: Public health integration in CSR a must to reshape the post Covid-19 world

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Future of Work

Feature

Aug 2, 2021

South Asia midyear pause: Taking stock of 2021

By South Asia Center

South Asia will face crucial issues like human security, regional stability, economic prosperity, and the pandemic in the remainder of 2021. How should we understand the region's prospects as we embark on the second half of the year? Our South Asia experts weigh in.

Afghanistan Bangladesh

In the News

Jul 26, 2021

Fernandes on Forbes India: Health diplomacy needs an update

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Corruption

SouthAsiaSource

Jul 21, 2021

Can we distribute the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic more equitably?

By Iti Bhargava and Ojas

This piece follows three business owners in India whose livelihoods have been crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic. All of them are participants of the REVIVE initiative by Samhita.

Coronavirus Inclusive Growth

Event Recap

Jul 14, 2021

Event recap: “REVIVING India’s informal workforce and entrepreneurs”

By Ayra Khan

Overall, the pandemic transformed how we look at the needs of micro-entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, and those within the informal sector. It amplified the need to address the inequality within communities while also pushing various sectors, including commercial and non-profit, to push the boundaries on what recovery means. COVID-19 gave businesses opportunities to stand up for the most vulnerable. In doing so, the REVIVE alliance has helped set the stage for a new, resilient normal.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

In the News

Jun 15, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in Wall Street Journal on how Covid-19 has punctured Narendra Modi’s aura

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Crisis Management