<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. 

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Pakistan's armed forces march in the country's National Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2024. 

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Pakistan's new constitutional amendment threatens to sow political division over growing military powers, a weakening judiciary and reduced civilian oversight.

Pakistan's New Constitutional Amendment Reforms the Military and Judiciary

Firefighters douse a car at the suicide blast site in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Nov. 11, 2025. 

While unlikely to trigger immediate retaliation, recent explosions in both New Delhi and Islamabad will sustain the risk of renewed cross-border strikes should either country determine the other was culpable.

Back-to-Back Blasts in India and Pakistan Raise Fears of Another Escalation

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How do recent protests in Nepal compare to those in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka?

Essential Geopolitics: Political Instability in South Asia

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka logo is seen outside the bank's headquarters in Colombo on July 6, 2023.

The IMF will likely approve the fifth review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout due to the country's strong fiscal performance, debt restructuring progress and political stability, though high poverty and delayed state-enterprise reforms pose ongoing risks.

Sri Lanka on Track To Unlock Next IMF Disbursement, but Challenges Remain

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Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025, after youth protesters set fire to the building. 

Recent events in Nepal, Madagascar and elsewhere show how digitally coordinated, leaderless protests can succeed, but eventually face even larger challenges in sustaining the momentum for change.

Worldwide Gen Z Protesters May Be Disappointed With Their Success

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Representatives of various Bangladeshi political parties present the July National Charter at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka on Oct. 17, 2025. 

The proposed reforms underscore efforts by some of Bangladesh's main political forces to curb the concentration of power, strengthen democratic institutions and ensure greater accountability and transparency.

Uncertainty Over Bangladesh Charter Implementation Will Sustain Risks of Unrest

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A digital illustration of the Indian and Canadian flags.

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India and Canada's efforts to improve relations could see them resume trade talks after a two-year hiatus. But lingering mistrust, particularly over Sikh separatist activity in Canada, may hinder deeper progress.

India and Canada's Diplomatic Reset: Opportunities and Challenges

Afghan men gather in support of the Taliban government during a rally in Khost, Afghanistan, on Oct. 13, 2025, amid heavy cross-border clashes with Pakistan.

Further violence is likely in the coming weeks and potentially longer, as the two countries' entrenched disputes regarding their shared border and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan will challenge international peace efforts.

Deadly Border Clashes Sharply Escalate Afghanistan-Pakistan Tensions

On Geopolitics

Protesters gather at the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025. 

Widespread discontent with corruption and economic mismanagement is fueling movements that demand greater accountability across South Asia.

Political Instability Roils South Asia

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Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast.

2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast Webcast

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According to the Nov. 14 vote count, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, is on track to comfortably retain control of Bihar state's legislature, Reuters reported the same day.

India: Modi’s NDA Coalition Is Set To Maintain Control in Bihar State

Indian authorities formally characterized the Nov. 10 Delhi blast as a "terror incident," and local media indicated security agencies were probing possible connections between the blast and a recently busted terrorist cell allegedly tied to the Pakistan-linked Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group, Reuters reported on Nov. 13.

India, Pakistan: Governments Release More Information About Recent Explosions

Pakistan's National Assembly, the lower house, passed the 27th constitutional amendment bill, which aims to introduce major judicial and military reforms, Geo News reported on Nov. 12.

Pakistan: National Assembly Passes Constitutional Amendment

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The International Energy Agency stated in its World Energy Outlook, published Nov. 12, that oil demand would not peak by 2050 unless current energy transition policies globally became more ambitious.

Global: IEA's 2025 World Energy Outlook Published With New Current Policies Scenario

Indian authorities are investigating an explosion in the capital, Delhi, that killed at least eight people and wounded some 12 others, Hindustan Times reported on Nov. 10. 

India: Authorities Detain Two Individuals Amid Investigation Into Explosion in Delhi

Pakistan's Senate passed the 27th constitutional amendment bill, and opposition members walked out in protest, Geo News reported on Nov. 10.

Pakistan: 27th Constitutional Amendment Passed in the Senate

Sri Lanka's President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the 2026 budget, pledging reforms to keep the $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout on track, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 7. 

Sri Lanka: President Dissanayake Kickstarts 2026 Budget Process

The Pakistan People's Party, or PPP, a major coalition ally in Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's government, rejected several key provisions of the proposed 27th constitutional amendment, Arab News reported on Nov. 7.

Pakistan: PPP Opposes Major Provisions of 27th Constitutional Amendment

South Asia

SITUATION REPORTS

India: Modi’s NDA Coalition Is Set To Maintain Control in Bihar State

India, Pakistan: Governments Release More Information About Recent Explosions

Pakistan: National Assembly Passes Constitutional Amendment

Global: IEA's 2025 World Energy Outlook Published With New Current Policies Scenario

India: Authorities Detain Two Individuals Amid Investigation Into Explosion in Delhi

Pakistan: 27th Constitutional Amendment Passed in the Senate

Sri Lanka: President Dissanayake Kickstarts 2026 Budget Process

Pakistan: PPP Opposes Major Provisions of 27th Constitutional Amendment

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