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

What in the World is Vladimir Putin Up To?

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

What in the World is Vladimir Putin Up To?

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

What in the World is Vladimir Putin Up To?

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

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2017

What in the World is Vladimir Putin Up To?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Russia has decisively expanded its global footprint in a way that analysts say challenges the West and will force US President Donald J. Trump to rethink his “America First” strategy. This challenge extends well beyond Russia’s neighborhood—Ukraine, Georgia, and the Baltic States—to Syria, Libya, and even Afghanistan. Western governments and intelligence agencies have also accused […]

Afghanistan Libya

In the News

Jun 29, 2017

Cunningham in The National Interest: I Was U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. The Military Can’t Fix This Mess Alone.

By James Cunningham

Read the full article here.

Afghanistan

In the News

Jun 26, 2017

Gopalaswamy in Foreign Affairs: The Trump–Modi Summit, Big Meeting, Low Expectations

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

Read the full article here.

India

In the News

Jun 23, 2017

Gopalaswamy Quoted by Hindustan Times on the Trump-Modi Meeting

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

Read the full article here.

India

Issue Brief

Jun 22, 2017

Transforming India from a balancing to leading power

By Manish Tewari and Bharath Gopalaswamy

“It is vital for American interests in Asia to have India as an economic and strategic ally,” writes Bharath Gopalaswamy and former Minister Manish Tewari in “Transforming India from a Balancing to Leading Power,” a new brief from the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. In the brief, the authors present policy recommendations for US policy […]

China India

Issue Brief

Jun 22, 2017

Transforming India from a balancing to leading power

By Bharath Gopalaswamy, Manish Tewari

In the brief, the authors present policy recommendations for US policy makers as a newly assertive India seeks to assume a leading role in Asia.

China India

In the News

Jun 20, 2017

Ahmad in National Interest: America Must Confront Pakistan’s Support of Afghan-Based Terrorism

By Javid Ahmad

Read the full article here.

Pakistan

In the News

Jun 19, 2017

Gopalaswamy in Hindustan Times: India Must Lower Its Expectations on the Modi-Trump Meet

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

Read the full article here.

India

In the News

Jun 16, 2017

Kampani and Gopalaswamy: How to Normalize Pakistan’s Nuclear Program

By Bharath Gopalaswamy/Gaurav Kampani

Read the full article here.

Pakistan

In the News

Jun 15, 2017

Biberman in Asian Security: Genocidal Violence, Nation-Building, and the Bloody Birth of Bangladesh

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management
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Experts

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Paul Amato

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Missile Defense Nuclear Deterrence

Fellow

Peter Arvo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China Human Rights

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Former Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

Fellow

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia
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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