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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The BJP Election Manifesto: Could have been the Congress Party’s too

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

The BJP Election Manifesto: Could have been the Congress Party’s too

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

The BJP Election Manifesto: Could have been the Congress Party’s too

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

Apr 10, 2014

The BJP Election Manifesto: Could have been the Congress Party’s too

By Mohan Guruswamy

I have been a manifesto writer ever since I moved to Delhi in 1984 and should know what I am talking about on them.  Often it would seem that the preparation and release of a manifesto is considered just a part of the ritual with no real bearing on the outcome. Since manifestos are mostly […]

India

Event Recap

Apr 8, 2014

Election Watch 2014: Afghanistan and India

South Asia is currently witnessing the “largest democratic event in the world” with 7 million, or 60% of registered voters, visiting the polls in Afghanistan last weekend, and the first wave of 815 million registered voters begin to vote this week in India’s five week parliamentary elections. South Asia Center Director Shuja Nawaz and Senior […]

Afghanistan India

In the News

Apr 7, 2014

Nawaz: Demographics Play a Role in Afghan Transition

By Shuja Nawaz

South Asia Center Director is quoted by RIA Novosti on the role demographics have played in Afghanistan’s transition to democracy:

Afghanistan
REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2014

Afghanistan’s Election: The Real Results

By James Rupert

Following Afghanistan’s presidential election Saturday, ballots from villages of the Hindu Kush mountains are wobbling down dirt paths toward counting centers, lashed to the backs of donkeys. While we will need some weeks to know the official outcome, in which the top two candidates are likely to face a runoff, we know some key effective […]

Afghanistan

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 4, 2014

This Week in South Asia: March 29 – April 4

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. IndiaWith the world’s largest democracy set to head to the polls for national elections early next week, its relationship with the world’s oldest democracy took yet another unexpected turn as Nancy Powell, U.S. Ambassador […]

Afghanistan Iran

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 3, 2014

This Week in South Asia: March 8 – 14

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. IndiaA little over 3 months after Devyani Khobragade, India’s Deputy Consul General in New York, was arrested on charges of lying to the United States government to obtain a visa for her housekeeper, a […]

Afghanistan India

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 3, 2014

This Week in South Asia: March 22 – 28

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. PakistanPakistan seems to have convinced the world community regarding the safety of its nuclear program. This week at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, US Secretary of the State John Kerry was reported […]

Afghanistan India

Event Recap

Apr 2, 2014

Countering Violent Extremism in Pakistan

Why Women Must Have a Role “The greatest predictor of security and stability in a country is actually not wealth and it’s not the level of democracy. It is how well the women are treated,” said The Hon. Swanee Hunt at a panel hosted the by the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and the Institute […]

Pakistan

Webcasts

Apr 2, 2014

Webcast: Countering Violent Extremism in Pakistan: Why Women Must Have a Role

Pakistan is at a crucial juncture as it tries to contain and combat militant violence that has devastated communities, families, and lives across all provinces. Pakistani women are frequent targets of radical ideologies and terrorism, giving them unique perspectives on how to counter violent extremism in their communities and homes. But despite the potential to […]

Pakistan

Event Recap

Mar 31, 2014

Rehaii Screening: Pursuing Gender Equality in Pakistan

“Poverty affects everyone in the household–the young, the old, the women, the men. So it is everybody’s responsibility to resolve it,” stated Kashf Foundation’s Managing Director Roshaneh Zafar, reflecting on conversations with Grameen Bank Founder Mohamed Younus during the formative stages of Kashf Foundation. “Gender issues are everybody’s problem. They are not just the problem of […]

Pakistan
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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