South Asia

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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This Week in South Asia: May 31 – June 6

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

This Week in South Asia: May 31 – June 6

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

This Week in South Asia: May 31 – June 6

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

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 6, 2014

This Week in South Asia: May 31 – June 6

By Aman Ghose and Fayyaz Yaseen

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. India The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh officially split in two this week thereby officially creating India’s 29th state, Telangana. President’s rule was lifted as the first popular government came into power as […]

Afghanistan India

Webcasts

Jun 6, 2014

Webcast: A Conversation with Afghan Presidential Candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (via Skype)

Please join us Thursday, June 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a conversation with Afghanistan presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah.

Afghanistan

Event Recap

Jun 5, 2014

Pakistan’s Polio Fight

We have the money, science, and political will but the [polio eradication] program design is flawed.” A majority of the world has overcome polio, a once highly prevalent disease, yet Pakistan is one of just three countries where the disease remains endemic—and it poses a threat to polio-free countries around the world. After nearing almost […]

Pakistan

In the News

Jun 2, 2014

Newsweek: What Was Won, What Was Lost [in Afghanistan]?

Newsweek cites the Atlantic Council for hosting a teleconference with Aghanistan presidential candidate Ahsraf Ghani:

Afghanistan Elections

In the News

May 31, 2014

Nawaz on India-Pakistan Relationship

By Shuja Nawaz

South Asia Center Director Shuja Nawaz joins NPR’s Weekend Edition to discuss a potential thawing in the historically cold relationship between India and Pakistan:

India Pakistan

In the News

May 31, 2014

Slavin on Afghanistan, Egypt Elections

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins VOA’s Issues in the News to discuss Egypt’s recent elections, President Obama’s policy in Afghanistan, and other timely events:

Afghanistan North Africa

In the News

May 31, 2014

Nawaz on Release of Taliban Prisoner

By Shuja Nawaz

The Guardian quotes South Asia Center Director Shuja Nawaz on the controversy the Obama Administration now faces over the release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl:

Afghanistan

Event Recap

May 30, 2014

India’s Watershed Moment: Reflections from the Ground

By South Asia Center

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi ushers in a new era in India, The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted Dr. Shashi Tharoor of the Indian National Congress and Mr. Prodyut Bora of the Bharatiya Janata Party to reflect on the sea change occurring across the spectrum in Indian politics.

India

In the News

May 30, 2014

Atlantic Council Event with Afghanistan Presidential Candidate Featured

Agence France-Presse (AFP) featured the Atlantic Council’s Skype event with Afghanistan presidential hopeful Ashraf Ghani:

Afghanistan Elections

Transcript

May 30, 2014

A Conversation with Afghanistan Presidential Candidate Dr. Ashraf Ghani

Welcome and Moderator: Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council Speaker: Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan Presidential Candidate

Afghanistan
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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