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.

Explore
Event recap | The geopolitics of emerging tech during the pandemic

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
Event recap | The geopolitics of emerging tech during the pandemic

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
Event recap | The geopolitics of emerging tech during the pandemic

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

Event Recap

Feb 10, 2021

Event recap | The geopolitics of emerging tech during the pandemic

By the GeoTech Center

A GeoTech Hour with panelists sharing insights on lessons learned, ongoing challenges, and requisite next steps to be taken when considering the intersection of geopolitics, modern technologies, and COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2021

Biden needs a new Pakistan policy. This is what it should look like.

By Shamila N. Chaudhary

The United States has an opportunity to move on from the sordid history of US-Pakistan relations. Strategic imperatives in both Islamabad and Washington have provided a rare opening, one that if explored effectively could serve US regional interests positively and also provide impetus for change in Pakistan.

China Pakistan

SouthAsiaSource

Feb 8, 2021

The dynamics of South Asia: A roadmap for the Biden administration

By Safiya Ghori-Ahmad and Kyle Gardner

South Asia offers the Biden administration opportunities to elevate US diplomacy and strengthen partnerships in capitals from Delhi to Dhaka. But doing so will require navigating five dynamics at play across this important region.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Global Energy Forum

Feb 8, 2021

How to design an energy transition that includes everyone—including the most vulnerable

By Katherine Golden

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed an “interdependent” world with “huge issues of inequity,” said Sunita Narain, director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Without addressing these realities, “we cannot deal with the virus, and it’s the same with climate change.”

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

In the News

Feb 5, 2021

Ahmad joins Hudson Institute to discuss the United States’ peace agreement with the Afghan Taliban

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Feb 5, 2021

Shahid in NBC News: Myanmar coup and Aung San Suu Kyi’s arrest presaged by world ignoring Rohingya genocide

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Indo-Pacific

In the News

Feb 5, 2021

Nawaz joins CGTN to discuss Myanmar Military Coup

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Corruption

In the News

Feb 5, 2021

Shahid joins Human Rights Media to discuss cases of statelessness in South Asia

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Indo-Pacific

In the News

Feb 5, 2021

Shahid joins NowThis News to discuss Myanmar Military Coup

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Democratic Transitions

In the News

Feb 4, 2021

Nawaz quoted in VOA on NATO forces delaying Afghanistan withdrawal deadline

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Central Asia
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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 Wed, April 8, 2026 • 8:30 am ET

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