Cleaner and less expensive than oil, natural gas could be a godsend for Pakistan's economy. But between the country's energy bottlenecks and corruption probes, finding enough of the resource will be a problem.
For Modi and his nationalist ruling party, the political benefits of an Indian Kashmir ultimately outweigh the risks of escalating New Delhi's decadeslong territorial dispute with Pakistan.
Abundant minerals lay buried beneath Pakistan's ground. So why is the country having such a tough time exploiting them?
India's prime minister has abrogated Kashmir's autonomy with an eye to putting the state more firmly under India's grasp. That, however, could infuriate Kashmiris and the country's archrival: Pakistan.
Nevertheless, Islamabad's own strategy means it will be careful not to pressure the Taliban to accede to U.S. wishes to the extent that it alienates the Taliban.
The ongoing peace process has yielded a recent thaw in U.S.-Pakistani relations. But without an active conflict in Afghanistan, there will be little keeping Washington from turning toward more pressing issues in the region -- namely, stemming China's rise.
The country's economic woes will shape its turbulent political atmosphere in the months to come.
Animated by their opposing visions of economic prosperity and global influence, China and India's competition over Pakistani and Iranian ports, respectively, carry on at all costs.
After the most violent flare-up in Kashmir in years, Islamabad and New Delhi are sounding out possible talks, although the prospect of a wider conflict is never far away.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has secured a three-year IMF loan to help relieve Pakistan's dire economic situation. But the conditions tied to the tranche's disbursement risk inviting a political backlash.
