South Asia

Young people in low- and middle-income countries show greater optimism about AI's potential to improve work prospects and social lives compared to their Western peers, according to a survey of ten countries in Africa and South Asia.

This year's El Niño is forecasted to become a record-breaking event due to its extreme strength, according to Tim Stockdale of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The phenomenon is expected to cause droughts, floods, and other climate extremes globally, with impacts including suppressed monsoons in South Asia, drier conditions in parts of Africa and Brazil, and increased rainfall in the Horn of Africa and western South America.

Washington has begun engaging with regional players in South Asia without seeking India's approval. The article states that U.S. actions now disregard Indian interests in the region.

Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Democratic Party president, proposed that Jammu and Kashmir serve as a bridge of peace between India and Pakistan and as a gateway between South and Central Asia to strengthen ties with Pakistan and China.

The U.S. is reducing its leadership role in global counterterrorism, shifting responsibilities to allies while cutting domestic agency resources. The U.N. strategy meeting addresses rising decentralized threats from groups like ISIS-K and Al-Qaeda in the Sahel, as funding gaps shift priorities toward Gulf state priorities.

South Asia, home to nearly a quarter of the world’s population, remains one of the least connected regions for cross-border movement despite shared history and culture. Barriers like visas, political tensions, and diplomatic uncertainty hinder regional integration.

Mirwaiz states that PM Modi is among the longest-serving leaders in independent India and highlights his 2014 emphasis on regional cooperation and improved relations with neighboring countries, which generated hope in South Asia.

India's placement of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance has shifted focus to the implications of reduced transparency in a major transboundary water-sharing agreement. The article questions the consequences of this lack of transparency for South Asia's water management.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is transitioning from physical infrastructure projects, such as power plants and highways, to a focus on digital development, expanding China's strategic influence in South Asia.

Ukraine is experiencing panic over alleged mass migration from South Asia, fueled by misinformation, AI-generated fakes, and right-wing groups. Official data shows no significant influx of foreign workers, while a labor shortage and pending work permit legislation have led experts to warn that unchecked xenophobia could cause social conflict.

VinFast Auto Ltd., a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, is investing $500 million to establish a new factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. The move aims to position India as a gateway for expanding into South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, as stated by CEO Pham Sanh Chau.

An analysis of the May 2025 India-Pakistan crisis highlights the dangers of modern multi-domain non-contact warfare capabilities without strategic restraint. The article argues that the development of advanced warfare technologies without mutual agreements on their use erodes crisis stability in South Asia, leaving no room for limited military engagements.

North Carolina has sued VinFast over the Vietnamese electric vehicle maker's delayed and downsized factory plans. VinFast is simultaneously expanding operations with a $500 million investment in a new India factory to enter South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African markets. The company's India facility is expected to be crucial for accessing the world's third-largest car market.

Tether and Gnosis co-led a $4.4 million seed round for Sorted Wallet, which plans to expand geographically to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The funding will support Sorted's growth. Sorted Wallet is a lightweight mobile-friendly wallet.

South Asian countries have responded differently to recent uprisings. Nepal and Sri Lanka reformed their political systems in response to popular movements, while Bangladesh is criticized for removing opposition parties rather than implementing meaningful political reforms.

Goldman Sachs reports that North Asian markets are outperforming South Asian markets due to stronger fiscal ability and AI developments. This divide is driven by the growth in AI and energy resilience. North Asian markets are seeing significant gains as a result.

Bhutanese refugees who were deported a year ago are experiencing severe psychological deterioration due to statelessness, family separation, and lack of legal protection in South Asia. The prolonged displacement has created worsening mental health conditions among the deportee population. The article highlights the humanitarian crisis facing those without legal status or national recognition.

In May 2025, India launched BrahMos missile strikes against Pakistani air bases, prompting Pakistan to deliberately withhold its own Babur cruise missile to avoid signaling nuclear escalation. The four-day crisis remained contained, highlighting a new logic of limited warfare in South Asia defined by strategic restraint rather than full military response.

Oil disruptions are causing fertilizer market instability that threatens agricultural productivity in South Asia. This cascading effect puts the region's food security at significant risk, following a historical pattern of similar crises.

The article honors CIA moms on Mother's Day, highlighting their sacrifices and dedication to protecting America from terrorist threats. It shares personal anecdotes of a former CIA station chief, recalling the challenges of being away from family. The author acknowledges the secretive nature of CIA work and its impact on families.

A record heatwave is sweeping South Asia, affecting countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh with temperatures soaring above seasonal averages. This heatwave has resulted in extreme weather conditions. The affected countries are experiencing unusually high temperatures.

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a China-linked espionage campaign targeting government and defense sectors in South, East, and Southeast Asia, as well as a NATO European government. Trend Micro attributes the attacks to a threat group it tracks as SHADOW-EARTH-053, which has targeted journalists and activists.

The threat actor Harvester has deployed a Linux version of its GoGra backdoor in South Asia, utilizing the Microsoft Graph API and Outlook mailboxes as a covert command-and-control channel to bypass network defenses. Symantec and Carbon Black Threat Hunter attribute the attacks to this group.

The UN refugee agency reported a record number of Rohingya refugees died at sea last year, warning of an 'unmarked graveyard' in South Asia for desperate refugees.

Goldman Sachs recommends North Asia's technology-focused stock markets over South Asia's, citing stronger growth potential in the region's tech sector. The firm highlights the advantages of tech-heavy markets in North Asia compared to their southern counterparts.