South Asian Politics and Security

Political & Economic Dynamics and Implications

Analysis of emerging domestic political, institutional economic, and socio-cultural dynamics and consequences for regional relations and security behaviors.

In South Asia Research

Domestic politics play an increasingly important role in shaping and constraining regional security dynamics throughout South Asia. Evolving developments including slowing macroeconomic growth, intensifying nationalism, challenged political institutions, rising populism and social movements, a diminishing U.S. military footprint, and the increasing economic influence and political presence of China have a profound impact on the region. This project leverages Stimson South Asia’s extensive network of regional and international scholars and analysts to explore these developments and their implications for regional interactions and geopolitical competition.

Reports & Papers

Report
Rising Regional Experts Offer Analysis and Recommendations on South Asian Nuclear Security
Akriti (Vasudeva) Kalyankar • Elizabeth Threlkeld • Brigitta Schuchert...
Report
Stimson’s U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue convened Indian and American experts to offer insights on deepening security and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Sameer Lalwani • Elizabeth Threlkeld • Christopher Clary...
Report
Exploring the historical dynamics and future trajectory of the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship and its impact on Afghan stability.
Elizabeth Threlkeld • Grace Easterly
Book
An in-depth analysis of India’s premier professional military education institution with implications for Indian military strategy
David Smith
Report
Since 2013, mass resistance and armed insurgency have returned and grown in India’s Kashmir Valley, partly in response to the government’s failed strategy
Sameer Lalwani
Issue Brief
This article was originally published in the Institute of East Asian Studies' Asian Survey in February 2020.
Sameer Lalwani

Additional Research

Policy Memo
Collaboration could prevent risks of spillover effects emanating from political, social, and economic instability in Afghanistan
Noorulain Naseem
Policy Memo
A survey of Indian public opinion finds overwhelming nationalism, confidence in military prowess, and support for a large nuclear arsenal
Christopher Clary • Sameer Lalwani • Niloufer Siddiqui...
Policy Memo
As the United States withdraws from Afghanistan it is important to examine the role Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) may play in the country’s future security landscape.
Saurav Sarkar
Policy Memo
Despite strengthening strategic ties, India and the United States have long had significant divergences in multilateral institutions.
Chirayu Thakkar
Policy Memo
With multilayered and long-standing ties to Afghanistan, Pakistani political actors on the Af-Pak border have an important role to play in Afghanistan’s peace process.
Fizza Batool
Event Report
Hannah Haegeland • Sameer Lalwani • Frank O’Donnell

News & Commentary

Commentary
Despite some early friction, Washington and New Delhi have taken a pragmatic approach in navigating their differences
Elizabeth Threlkeld
Commentary
How the Russia-Ukraine war is accelerating three long-term shifts in Indian foreign policy
Akriti (Vasudeva) Kalyankar • Dante Schulz
Commentary
More about the context and implications of the shooting that wounded the former Pakistani Prime Minister
Elizabeth Threlkeld
Commentary
Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe's attempt to bring stability to the country has been met with protests and resistance
Isha Gupta
Op-Ed
The debate over staying or leaving tends to fixate on the Afghan political process. Instead, it should focus on developing a coherent risk-management strategy.
Sameer Lalwani
Op-Ed
Those who work on South Asian security issues expect another crisis is inevitable — one that will test the Biden administration.
Sameer Lalwani
Commentary
The US–India relationship—described as “a defining partnership for the 21st century”—has seen a dramatic rise over the past two decades.
Sameer Lalwani • Frank O’Donnell • Tyler Sagerstrom...
Op-Ed
The new administration is likely to be distracted by domestic circumstances; this could pave the way for a greater Indian agenda-setting role in the Indo-Pacific.
Akriti (Vasudeva) Kalyankar

Events

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