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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Building regional stability: Addressing Pakistan’s conflict-displaced persons

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
Building regional stability: Addressing Pakistan’s conflict-displaced persons

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
Building regional stability: Addressing Pakistan’s conflict-displaced persons

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

Dec 8, 2015

Building regional stability: Addressing Pakistan’s conflict-displaced persons

By Nicole Pfeifer

On December 3, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted Mr. John Groarke, US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Pakistan Mission Director, to discuss efforts to bring stability to the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) in Pakistan and the greater region.  Joined by The Hon James Cunningham, Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and currently a […]

Pakistan Security Partnerships

In the News

Dec 2, 2015

Cunningham on Security for Diplomats

By James Cunningham

The Hill quotes Atlantic Council Zalmay Khalilzad Chair on Afghanistan James Cunningham on his experience as ambassador to Afghanistan and the security risks involved and precautions taken by the State Department:

Afghanistan

In the News

Nov 17, 2015

Cunningham on ISIS in Afghanistan

By James Cunningham

PBS quotes Zalmay Khalilzad Chair on Afghanistan and Resident Senior Fellow James B. Cunningham on the origins of ISIS and how the militant group’s increasing presence in Afghanistan is causing concern:

Afghanistan

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Nov 12, 2015

The Emerging Leaders of Pakistan Welcomes the 2015 Fellows

The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center welcomed fifteen Pakistani civil society leaders, the 2015 Emerging Leaders of Pakistan, to the United States last month. From October 17 to November 8, the fellows visited New York City; Washington DC;  Austin, Texas; and the San Francisco Bay Area. The ELP Fellowship aims to identify, cultivate, and support […]

Pakistan

In the News

Nov 11, 2015

Rakisits on Preserving Gains against the Taliban

By Claude Rakisits

Defense News quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits on the importance of swiftly implementing governance plans and providing assistance to civilians as a means of preserving military gains against the Taliban in Pakistan:

Pakistan

In the News

Nov 9, 2015

Khan: Bilateral Trade Potential

By Mohsin Khan

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Mohsin Khan writes for The Cipher Brief on the benefits of increased trade between India and Pakistan: 

India Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2015

In Bangladesh, Radical Islam on the Rise as ‘Battling Begums’ Feud

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Faysal Arefin was stabbed to death in his second-floor office in a crowded Dhaka neighborhood on Oct. 31. His crime: Publishing books by Avijit Roy, a Bangladeshi-American blogger and strident opponent of religious extremism. Arefin is not the first to meet such a gruesome end. On Feb. 26, machete-wielding men fatally attacked Roy as he […]

South Asia

Event Recap

Nov 4, 2015

US-India bilateral relations

By Nicole Pfeifer

On November 4, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted a discussion on US-India bilateral relations, in collaboration with the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF).  Dr. Bharath Gopalaswamy, Director of the South Asia Center, opened the dialogue, which aimed at addressing the ways in which the US-India relationship can be sustained, and ultimately advanced to new […]

India United States and Canada

In the News

Nov 3, 2015

Barno and Bensahel: The Pink Flamingo on the Subcontinent: Nuclear War Between India and Pakistan

By Dave Barno and Nora Bensahel

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellows for Military Affairs and National Security Policy Dave Barno and Nora Bensahel cowrite for War on the Rocks on the tensions on the border of India and Pakistan:

India Pakistan

News

Oct 29, 2015

Pham on the Africa-India Forum

By J. Peter Pham

Agence Marocaine de Presse quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s speech at the India-Africa Forum:

India Morocco
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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

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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