South Asia Brief

News and analysis from India and its neighboring countries in South Asia, a region home to one-fourth of the world’s population. Delivered Wednesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrive to pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrive to pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10.

The U.S. Shouldn’t Worry About the India-Canada Rift

Washington is committed to partnership with New Delhi, despite U.S. intelligence cooperation in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a press conference after the closing session of the G-20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a press conference after the closing session of the G-20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10.

Trudeau’s Allegations Upend India-Canada Ties

The Canadian leader has accused New Delhi of involvement in the assassination of a Sikh activist, bringing simmering tensions to the surface.

Maldives presidential candidate Mohamed Muiz, a man with gray hair and beard and a light pink button-down shirt, claps his hands as he greets a crowd of supporters wearing pink at an outdoor campaign rally.
Maldives presidential candidate Mohamed Muiz, a man with gray hair and beard and a light pink button-down shirt, claps his hands as he greets a crowd of supporters wearing pink at an outdoor campaign rally.
A pedestrian walks past a G-20 summit logo along a street in New Delhi.
A pedestrian walks past a G-20 summit logo along a street in New Delhi.

Will India’s G-20 Summit Succeed?

New Delhi’s global clout and Modi’s personal brand are riding on the annual meeting, but consensus may prove elusive.

From left: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appear at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
From left: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appear at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

India Can Benefit From a Bigger BRICS

The bloc’s new members include countries New Delhi is keen to expand ties with.

People wave Indian national flags as they celebrate the successful lunar landing of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft in New Delhi on Aug. 23.
People wave Indian national flags as they celebrate the successful lunar landing of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft in New Delhi on Aug. 23.

India’s Moon Landing Is a Big Geopolitical Step

The successful lunar mission, coming on the heels of Russian failure, could accelerate a long-running space race.

Lawyers supporting former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan denounce his arrest outside the High Court in Lahore, Pakistan, on Aug. 7.
Lawyers supporting former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan denounce his arrest outside the High Court in Lahore, Pakistan, on Aug. 7.

What’s Next for Imran Khan’s Party?

With Pakistan’s popular opposition leader jailed ahead of election, his supporters must find a way forward.

Security personnel examine the site of a bomb blast in Bajaur district, Pakistan.
Security personnel examine the site of a bomb blast in Bajaur district, Pakistan.

Attack Raises Specter of Election Violence in Pakistan

The Islamic State-Khorasan claimed responsibility for a bombing at a political rally months before a national vote.

A villager sits next to his house, which was damaged in flash floods, in Afghanistan.
A villager sits next to his house, which was damaged in flash floods, in Afghanistan.

The Taliban Aren’t Equipped for Climate Adaptation

Sanctions stand in the way of environmental aid, leaving Afghans high and dry after disasters such as flash floods.

Uniformed Indian Army and police officers walk along a curved road in a foggy green valley. Some of the officers carry rifles, and most wear helmets.
Uniformed Indian Army and police officers walk along a curved road in a foggy green valley. Some of the officers carry rifles, and most wear helmets.

India Steps Up Diplomacy With Myanmar

New Delhi must walk a fine line with the brutal ruling junta as cross-border security issues grow tense.

A signboard mentions a Foxconn India production unit on the outskirts of Chennai, India, on Dec. 28, 2021.
A signboard mentions a Foxconn India production unit on the outskirts of Chennai, India, on Dec. 28, 2021.

Why Did Foxconn Pull Out of Its India Deal?

The Apple supplier’s sudden reversal reveals some of the private-sector obstacles to New Delhi’s tech ambitions.

A street vendor looks for customers in a market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
A street vendor looks for customers in a market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Pakistan Aims for IMF Deal at Last

After months of negotiations, Islamabad looks close to securing additional economic aid—but the roots of its crisis run deep.

U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive for their meeting during the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue leaders' summit in Tokyo on May 24, 2022.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive for their meeting during the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue leaders' summit in Tokyo on May 24, 2022.

Modi’s State Visit Aims to Cement U.S.-India Partnership

Bilateral constraints haven’t gotten in the way of rapidly deepening ties.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hold a joint press conference in Moscow. The Russian flag and the Pakistani flag flank each man in the background.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hold a joint press conference in Moscow. The Russian flag and the Pakistani flag flank each man in the background.

Russian Oil Shipment Arrives in Pakistan

The cargo shows how the global south is balancing relations with Moscow and the West.

Railway workers help to restore service at the site of a three-train collision near Balasore, India, on June 4.
Railway workers help to restore service at the site of a three-train collision near Balasore, India, on June 4.

India’s Deadly Train Crash Raises Safety Concerns

Amid a financing push for modern infrastructure, existing problems may go overlooked.

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