South Asia Research & Reports

Mapping South Asia’s digital landscape

By Mark Linscott, Gopal Nadadur

Data protection regulations are becoming critical for South Asia, where some countries are increasingly driven by digital economies.

Global DPI models: Lessons from India, Brazil, and beyond 

By Barbara Kotschwar and Colin Colter

The concept of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is gaining momentum globally, as countries seek to digitize essential services like identification, payments, and civil registration.

Finding security in digital public infrastructure

By Justin Sherman

As governments worldwide adopt Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the need for robust cybersecurity and privacy protections has never been greater. This paper delves into the critical risks and opportunities associated with securing DPI systems. With examples from India, Ukraine, and other nations, it explores how governments are managing data privacy, addressing cyber threats, and building trust in digital services. The paper highlights key considerations for policymakers, including the balance between openness and security, the role of encryption, and the importance of resilience in digital systems. As more nations turn to DPI, ensuring the safety and privacy of citizens’ data is essential to creating sustainable, trustworthy digital infrastructures.

How digital public infrastructure can support financial inclusion

By Katherine Hadda and Anit Mukherjee

As digital transformation accelerates, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is at the forefront of the global push for financial inclusion. This paper examines how DPI frameworks, particularly those pioneered in India, are bringing financial services to previously underserved populations.

Inside Afghanistan’s gender apartheid: Listen as women reveal the impact of the Taliban’s oppressive decrees

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, women have battled against increasingly severe restrictions on education, employment, and daily public life. This report, a joint effort by the Civic Engagement Project and the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, underscores their remarkable resilience and unyielding spirit in the face of gender apartheid.

Empowering Pakistan’s youth to address climate change risks

By Omaer Naeem

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like flooding and heatwaves. Empowering Pakistani youth in climate adaptation is critical as they will face intensified effects. This brief advocates for greater involvement of youth through grassroots organization, policy advocacy, innovative solutions, and strengthening international cooperation on climate action.

How to advance women’s rights in Afghanistan

By Roya Rahmani

Providing Afghan women with rights and opportunities must be at the top of the regional and global security agenda.

Bangladesh draft data protection act 2023: Potential and pitfalls

By Christabel Randolph

The Bangladesh government’s updated draft data protection bill is a welcome revision of its 2022 attempt to address the country’s lack of a comprehensive data protection law, but there is still room for constructive change to heighten regulatory certainty.

India’s personal data protection act and the politics of digital governance

By Stephen Weymouth

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill of 2022 aims to balance the interests of Indian consumers seeking enhanced privacy and data security against the business need for unconstrained data flows.

Pakistan’s rapidly digitizing society requires clear policymaking

By Uzair Younus

This issue brief provides recommended steps that policymakers in Pakistan ought to take to address key concerns around free expression on the internet, and to generate momentum to catalyze higher levels of growth in Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.