South Asia

South Asia is home to over 1.8 billion people and the largest youth population in the world. It includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. As one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, it serves as a strong economic link between the East and the West. South Asia’s strong global connections make it a zone of opportunity for businesses and governments engaging in infrastructure development, trade, and economic development.

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Samad joins Aljazeera to discuss the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan

Issue Brief Apr 1, 2025

Rescuing Pakistan’s economy

By Aasim M. Husain

For decades, Pakistan has struggled with a declining standard of living, skyrocketing public debt, and economic policies that have failed to address the root causes of its stagnation.
Economy & Business Middle East
Samad joins Aljazeera to discuss the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan

New Atlanticist Mar 25, 2025

Starlink’s India launch is a crash course on New Delhi’s approach to tech sovereignty

By Trisha Ray

A recently announced partnership to deploy the Elon Musk-led company’s satellite internet in India offers a window into New Delhi’s “hybrid” approach.
Economy & Business India
Samad joins Aljazeera to discuss the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan

New Atlanticist Feb 19, 2025

Why India and Armenia are now taking their relationship to new heights

By Tatevik Khachatryan, Srujan Palkar

The growing military and diplomatic cooperation between New Delhi and Yerevan benefits both beyond immediate defense concerns.
Economy & Business India

Programs

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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Content

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Samad joins Aljazeera to discuss the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Corruption

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Samad joins BBC News Persia to discuss how Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s speech was the first step towards a bigger decision
Afghanistan Corruption

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in The Washington Times: Frustration with Afghan army boils over as Taliban take 2 more provinces
Afghanistan Arms Control

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Samad joins CGTN America to discuss the Afghanistan crisis
Afghanistan Corruption

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Nawaz joins Deutsche Welle to discuss the rapidly unfolding situation in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Wechsler joins Bloomberg to discuss the unfolding Afghanistan situation

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in Barron’s: Pakistan Spent Decades Expanding Its Economy While Entangled in the Afghan Taliban

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Alam quoted in CNBC: Chaotic scenes at Kabul airport as Afghans and foreign nationals flee Taliban
Afghanistan Crisis Management

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Wechsler quoted in The Marine Corps Times on how the Biden administration should properly evacuate Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Cunningham and Nooruddin quoted in Shanghai Daily on the US troop withdrawl from Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Lotfullah Najafizada

Journalist & CEO, Amu TV

Millennium Leadership Program

Afghanistan Media

Fellow

Nisha Narayanan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business India

Fellow

Zeena Nisar

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Central Asia China

Millennium fellow

Jonathan Ong

Senior Analyst, Informa Tech Target

Millennium Leadership Program

East Asia South Asia
Srujan Palkar's image for the Atlantic Council website

Staff

Srujan Palkar

Global India Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

China Economy & Business

Fellow

Alex Plitsas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan Crisis Management
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Events

Online Event Fri, March 27, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East