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.

Content

Event Recap

Jul 22, 2015

A private briefing on US-Pakistan relations with Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan

By Ben Polsky

Speaking at an Atlantic Council briefing, Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar offered her unique perspective on “the broad trends prevailing in Pakistan” including the recent talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Murree, the Iran deal impact in Pakistan, the status quo of Indo-Pak relations, and the state […]

Pakistan

In the News

Jul 17, 2015

Tanchum: Modi and the Sino-Indian Game for Iranian Gas

By Micha'el Tanchum

Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Micha’el Tanchum writes for The Diplomat on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic negotiations regarding the construction of a new pipeline to transport gas materials out of Iran: 

India

In the News

Jul 9, 2015

Tanchum: Energy is the Key to Modi’s Central Asia Reset

By Micha'el Tanchum

Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Micha’el Tanchum writes for the South Asian Monitor on why energy is an essential part of India’s Central Asian reset:

Central Asia India

In the News

Jul 8, 2015

Rehman on India’s Special Forces

By Iskander Rehman

World Politics Review interviews South Asia Center Nonresident Fellow Iskander Rehman on India’s special operations forces: 

India

In the News

Jul 6, 2015

Rakisits on Afghan-Pakistani Border Clash

By Claude Rakisits

Defense News quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits on the implications of continued tensions between Afghan and Pakistani troops along their mutual border:

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2015

Nuclear Credibility: What the United States Lost in Ukraine and Pakistan and the Implications for the Iran Deal

By Ben Polsky

As the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 powers continue on past the June 30 deadline, the focus remains on the details of an agreement and whether the negotiators can come to a final resolution. But even as these details continue to be debated, it is important to consider the bigger picture – whether […]

Nuclear Nonproliferation Pakistan

Event Recap

Jun 26, 2015

Sri Lanka and the emerging order in South Asia

After decades of damaging civil war, Sri Lanka and its new government are setting a course to prevent the reoccurrence of conflict and violence. In an unprecedented session combining political and civil society leaders, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Prasad Kariyawasam and Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies’ Jeevan Thiagarajah and Dhanya Ratnavale […]

South Asia

In the News

Jun 25, 2015

Rakisits: Death Penalty Returns to Pakistan

By Claude Rakisits

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits writes for Rule of Law Updates and Perspectives on the reinstatement of the death penalty in Pakistan:

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2015

Nuclear Expert Outlines India’s ‘Command and Control’ Policy

By Larry Luxner

Retired Brigadier Arun Sahgal, one of India’s top experts on nuclear policy, reasserted his country’s “no first use” doctrine in a June 23 presentation to the Atlantic Council. Sahgal, Director of the New Delhi-based Forum for Strategic Initiative, doesn’t represent official thinking, but he spoke from thirty-six years of experience in the Indian Army. “India’s […]

China India

Event Recap

Jun 23, 2015

India’s nuclear command and control and its implications for strategic stability in South Asia

By Nazia Khan

On June 23, Brigadier (ret’d) Arun Sahgal spoke to the Atlantic Council about the principles shaping India’s nuclear command and control structure. Now serving as the director of the Forum for Strategic Initiative, Sahgal does not represent the official Indian position, but spoke from over 36 years of experience in the Indian Army. He focused […]

India Nuclear Nonproliferation

Experts