<p>Everything that informs geopolitics can be found in South Asia: challenging demographics, geographic diversity, and contentious, ill-defined borders. The Himalayan Mountains form the northern border of South Asia, whose two main rivers, the Indus and the Ganges, support the region&rsquo;s great population centers. India is the region&rsquo;s dominant country, home to the world&rsquo;s fastest growing economy. But its rivalry with neighboring Pakistan, a fellow nuclear power and growing consumer market, has made South Asia one of the world&rsquo;s most dangerous nuclear flashpoints. The region is also a testament to how militancy and militarism can undermine the regional integration needed to unleash higher economic growth.</p>

Everything that informs geopolitics can be found in South Asia: challenging demographics, geographic diversity, and contentious, ill-defined borders. 

South Asia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

India

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

The India-Pakistan Rivalry

The Politics of Pipelines

Banking

Crossing Borders

Globalization

Social Issues

The Pulse of Political Islam

Instability in Central Asia

South Asian Militancy

India's Own Worst Enemy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Assessments

Politics

In Sri Lanka's presidential elections, differing views on the country's agreement with the International Monetary Fund and austerity measures, social issues involving Tamils and Muslims, and balancing relations with India and China heighten the risk of social unrest, delays in financial support, and uncertainty in economic planning and reforms, while the new president's insufficient support in Parliament may delay policy. 

Sri Lankan Presidential Candidates Face an Electorate Upset by the Economy

Global Elections

United States

Turkey

Cambodia

China

Japan

Germany

France

Uzbekistan

Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan

Russia

Kyrgyzstan

The Geopolitics of Water

Economics

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

The escalating impacts of climate change and water scarcity will inflame tensions between Central Asian countries, raising the risk of violent state conflict in the coming decades. 

The Looming Threat of Central Asian 'Water Wars'

2024 Elections: Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka's Sept. 21 presidential election will pit four candidates against one another, portending various political and economic risks.

2024 Elections: Sri Lanka

A protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Aug. 15.

In Bangladesh, improving security will not eliminate the high risk of additional violence and protests in the coming weeks, while policy uncertainty and severe political tensions in the coming months will continue to threaten the operating environment for businesses.

In Bangladesh, Improving Security Does Not Spell Stability

Snapshots

Ukraine

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for a working session on the second day of the G-7 summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany, on June 27, 2022. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The trip is likely aimed at addressing backlash from the prime minister's recent visit to Russia, as India tries to mitigate Western criticism and reinforce its neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.

Modi's Upcoming Visit to Ukraine Reflects India's Balancing Act

Bangladesh's military is likely to play a continued role in domestic politics, particularly if the general election is delayed and economic challenges and unrest worsen, and renewed episodes of social unrest are likely if the military takes measures to prevent the Awami League from returning to power.

The Bangladeshi Military's Expanded Role in Politics After Sheikh Hasina

Venezuela

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

United Kingdom

Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 7, 2024, in Caracas, Venezuela. The presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, respectively, are considering a call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 12 in a bid to promote negotiations with the opposition to cool the risk of further violent unrest.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Awaiting Iranian Retaliation, Bangladesh's New Government

Muhammad Yunus (4R) on Aug. 9, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

While Bangladesh's interim government is unlikely to make drastic changes in foreign policy, the government that emerges after new elections could seek closer ties with China and distance from India. This would delay bilateral projects with India, increase security challenges for India and lead to greater Chinese influence in the region.

After Elections, Bangladeshi Foreign Policy Will Drift in China's Favor

Anti-government protesters display Bangladesh's national flag as they storm Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's palace in Dhaka on Aug. 5, 2024.

The prime minister's decision to resign amid protests sets the stage for an uncertain interim government that will have to contend with a high risk of social unrest and economic challenges.

In Bangladesh, Hasina's Resignation Portends Greater Political and Economic Uncertainty

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (fifth from left) poses for photos in New Delhi before presenting India's budget to parliament on July 23, 2024. 

The budget is set to attract foreign capital and could boost the Indian economy, but addressing youth unemployment and passing structural reforms will remain key challenges.

A Deep Dive Into India's Newly Unveiled Budget

The United States and India will hold their first dialogue on the Indian Ocean, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell informed Congress on Sept. 18, Nikkei Asia reported on Sept. 19.

India: U.S. and India To Hold First Dialogue on Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka's government announced that it reached an agreement in principle on debt restructuring terms with the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders, the Local Consortium of Sri Lanka and the China Development Bank, NewsFirst reported on Sept. 19. 

Sri Lanka: Government Reached Agreement in Principle With Bondholders

India's Union Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the "One Nation One Election" proposal, which aims to hold Lok Sabha (lower house) and state assembly elections simultaneously, The Economic Times reported on Sept. 18.

India's: Cabinet Approves Recommendation for Simultaneous National and State Elections

Surveyors found a significant petroleum and natural gas deposit in Pakistan's territorial waters, Oilprice reported on Sept. 15.

Pakistan: Offshore Gas Reserves Discovered After Three-Year Survey

China's central bank announced it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Maldivian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to strengthen trade and investment by boosting local currency settlement for current account transactions and direct investment, Reuters reported Sept. 13.

Maldives, China: Countries Sign Finance Cooperation Deal Amid Fears of a Maldivian Default

Afghanistan and Turkmenistan resumed work on the long-delayed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline, as Afghanistan and Turkmenistan work on bolstering bilateral ties, Voice of America reported Sept. 12.

Afghanistan, Turkmenistan: Work on Long-Delayed Regional Natural Gas Pipeline Resumes

Vietnam

India will implement tariffs ranging from 12% to 30% on certain steel products imported from China and Vietnam, Reuters reported Sept. 11, citing a directive from the Indian Ministry of Finance.

India: Country to Impose Tariffs From 12% to 30% on Select Steel Imports From China, Vietnam

Thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party rallied in Islamabad on Sept. 8 to demand that Khan be released from prison, where he has been for over a year on charges his party calls politically motivated, Geo News reported on Sept. 8.

Pakistan: PTI Supporters Protest in Islamabad to Demand Khan's Release From Prison

South Asia

SITUATION REPORTS

India: U.S. and India To Hold First Dialogue on Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka: Government Reached Agreement in Principle With Bondholders

India's: Cabinet Approves Recommendation for Simultaneous National and State Elections

Pakistan: Offshore Gas Reserves Discovered After Three-Year Survey

Maldives, China: Countries Sign Finance Cooperation Deal Amid Fears of a Maldivian Default

Afghanistan, Turkmenistan: Work on Long-Delayed Regional Natural Gas Pipeline Resumes

India: Country to Impose Tariffs From 12% to 30% on Select Steel Imports From China, Vietnam

Pakistan: PTI Supporters Protest in Islamabad to Demand Khan's Release From Prison

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