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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Atwell in Modern War Institute

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
Atwell in Modern War Institute

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
Atwell in Modern War Institute

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

In the News

Jan 27, 2023

Atwell in Modern War Institute

By Atlantic Council

On January 23, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Kyle Atwell hosted a podcast examining the lessons that the US military, and in particular the US Army, should take from the twenty-war year in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Jan 26, 2023

Nawaz honored with Columbia Journalism School 2023 alumni award

By South Asia Center

Shuja Nawaz was honored with the Columbia Journalism school’s 2023 alumni award. He is the founding director of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center in Washington, D.C. He now serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Center. Mr. Nawaz has worked with leading think tanks on projects dealing with Pakistan and the Middle East. He […]

Media Pakistan

In the News

Jan 24, 2023

Younus in Dawn: The prime minister’s follies

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Pakistan

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Jan 20, 2023

Six ‘snow leopards’ to watch for in 2023 

Atlantic Council foresight experts spot the underappreciated phenomena that could have outsize impact on the world, driving global change and shaping the future.

Brazil China

In the News

Jan 19, 2023

Younus in Newlines Institute: With no help from Kabul, Pakistan faces the TTP threat

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Jan 18, 2023

Linscott in The Hill: The stakes for trade with India

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business India

In the News

Jan 18, 2023

Nooruddin in The Hill: The stakes for trade with India

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business India

In the News

Jan 13, 2023

Samad in The Diplomat: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is back. Washington should take note.

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Pakistan

MENASource

Jan 12, 2023

<strong>Saudi Arabia and Qatar are cooperating with the Taliban. But their approaches to Afghanistan are different. </strong>

By Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco and Kristian P. Alexander

All Gulf Cooperation Council states have come to terms with the reality of Taliban rule in Afghanistan since August 2021 and must pragmatically deal with the situation on the ground.

Afghanistan Indo-Pacific
Bandra Worli Sea Link, Mumbai, India

SouthAsiaSource

Jan 9, 2023

Experts weigh in on the 2023 US-India Trade Policy Forum meetings

By South Asia Center experts

South Asia Center experts provide their analyses and predictions for the 2023 US-India Trade Policy Forum.

Economy & Business India
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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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