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

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

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

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

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

In the News

Jan 4, 2023

Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on US withdrawal from Afghanistan

By Maggie Feldman-Piltch

On January 4, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Maggie Feldman-Piltch wrote a blog post in Non-State Actress, discussing the cost of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan   The Non-State Actress project is made possible by generous support from the German Federal Foreign Office, whom we thank for their support.

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Dec 30, 2022

Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on the Taliban

By Maggie Feldman-Piltch

On December 30, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Maggie Feldman-Piltch wrote a blog post in Non-State Actress, discussing the rise of the Taliban. In the inaugural edition of Non-State Actress, Maggie Feldman-Piltch provides an in-depth explanation of Afghanistan’s history and cultural as a country. In addition, she touches on how the Taliban came to […]

Afghanistan Conflict

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 22, 2022

<strong>Afghanistan and regional realignments since August 2021</strong>

By South Asia Center

When looking towards future solutions, there is no easy fix for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Central Asia

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2022

<strong>Pakistan’s foreign minister pitches more global aid and investment—and ‘less chaos’</strong>

By Nick Fouriezos

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari spoke at an Atlantic Council Front Page event in Washington about how the international community can help Pakistan tackle its challenges.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

EnergySource

Dec 20, 2022

India’s opportunity for steel decarbonization

By Matthew Piotrowski and George Frampton

India is a global steel heavyweight. Domestic and international forces are ratcheting up the pressure to decarbonize. Doing so would ensure long-term market access for Indian producers.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Report

Dec 16, 2022

Global China in Africa: Documenting Indian perspectives from Ghana

By Veda Vaidyanathan and Arhin Acheampong

Partly due to the lack of alternative options, China is quickly becoming a partner of choice, and several African countries are keen to explore the many possibilities of working together.

Africa China

In the News

Dec 11, 2022

Riaz in Aljazeera: Bangladesh opposition stages protests as it challenges PM Hasina

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 11, 2022

Riaz in Al Jazeera English: What’s behind anti-government protests in Bangladesh?

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 10, 2022

Riaz in The Daily Star: One year of US sanctions: Denial and defiance

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Freedom and Prosperity
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Experts

Board director

Franklin D. Kramer

Board Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

Staff

Michael Kugelman

Resident Senior Fellow, South Asia

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan Bangladesh

Fellow

Jeff Lande

Nonresident Fellow, India

South Asia Center

Economy & Business India

Fellow

Mark Linscott

Nonresident Senior Fellow, India

Trade and tariffs

Millennium fellow

Fadji Maina

Research Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Millennium Leadership Program

Americas Education

Fellow

Tasha Manoranjan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Human Rights
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