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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Sakhi in The Hill: The Taliban has failed to gain legitimacy — what can be done?

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
Sakhi in The Hill: The Taliban has failed to gain legitimacy — what can be done?

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
Sakhi in The Hill: The Taliban has failed to gain legitimacy — what can be done?

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

Jul 19, 2022

Sakhi in The Hill: The Taliban has failed to gain legitimacy — what can be done?

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jul 19, 2022

Nawaz on Riazul Haq: Civil military tussle & way forward for Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Pakistan Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jul 19, 2022

Nooruddin in The Journal of Public Space: Accessibility Policy and the Design of the Mumbai Metro

By Atlantic Council

India Resilience & Society

In the News

Jul 18, 2022

Lakhani quoted in The Print: Pakistan’s start-up industry is collapsing

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 16, 2022

Hakimi quoted in Weekly Voice: Selling coal to Pak paints Taliban as Pakistani puppets

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Geopolitics & Energy Security

Blog Post

Jul 15, 2022

State of the Order: Assessing June 2022

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

Americas Brazil

SouthAsiaSource

Jul 15, 2022

Pakistan must stop accommodating the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan

By Neha Ansari

Regardless of the outcome of this latest round of negotiations, Pakistan will have further provided legitimacy to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, which is responsible for killing and traumatizing thousands of Pakistani civilians and soldiers. Even if these talks succeed, Pakistan will lose. 

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Jul 13, 2022

Rafiq in The Strategist: Pakistan’s foreign policy reset hits a dead end

By Atlantic Council

Pakistan Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jul 13, 2022

Dr. Riaz in Gulf Times: Ravaged by unsparing floods, Bangladesh pitches plan to adapt to climate impacts

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Jul 13, 2022

Ammar Habib Khan quoted in Dawn: The Russian price Pakistan is paying

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance
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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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