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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

In the News

Apr 28, 2021

Fernandes quoted in The News Minute on Karnataka’s lockdown

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus India

In the News

Apr 12, 2021

Nooruddin joins France24 to discuss COVID-19 vaccination in India

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus India

In the News

Apr 8, 2021

Ghori-Ahmad joins USIP to discuss Pakistan’s post-pandemic economic outlook

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economy & Business

SouthAsiaSource

Mar 4, 2021

COVID-19 is exacerbating air quality issues to the detriment of India’s most vulnerable

By Shashank Jejurikar

The brief period of clean air during India's lockdown offered a glimpse of what can be gained by building a cleaner, more sustainable Indian economy. To explore how that can materialize, this piece will first examine the opposing ecological and economic impacts of India’s lockdown, and then pose policy recommendations that balance sustainability and economic growth.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

Event Recap

Feb 13, 2021

Event recap: “Post-pandemic South Asia: How the COVID-19 pandemic will affect Pakistan’s economy and regional environment”

By Atlantic Council

On February 12, 2021, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted an event on Pakistan’s economic and regional environment in a post-pandemic world.

Civil Society Coronavirus

In the News

Jan 11, 2021

Riaz in East Asia Forum: COVID-19 ails Bangladesh’s health, politics and economy

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Coronavirus

Feature

Jan 7, 2021

South Asia: The road ahead in 2021

By South Asia Center

The shadow of 2020 is likely to loom large over the coming year for South Asia, which faces unprecedented economic challenges, deterioration of democratic norms and institutions, and the existential threat of climate change.

Afghanistan Bangladesh

In the News

Dec 23, 2020

Nooruddin in The Hindu: COVID-19 and limits of political accountability

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Political Reform

New Atlanticist

Nov 12, 2020

How President-elect Biden can reshape US relations in Greater South Asia

By Shuja Nawaz

With the Taliban feeling increasingly emboldened, President-elect Biden must adopt a new and more practicable strategy for the region that is not based solely on military and security compulsions but includes future-oriented economic and political plans, working with international organizations and partners to achieve common goals.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2020

A zero-sum game: What can we expect during the upcoming elections in Myanmar?

By Rudabeh Shahid

While Myanmar gained attention for the restoration of some democratic rights in 2010 following years of military rule, the upcoming election is at risk of undermining this progress amid widespread political repression and human rights violations. There is strong evidence that the elections will be neither free, fair, nor inclusive, as a result of the suppression of free speech, use of hate speech, and cancellation of voting in several regions.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions