<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

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United Kingdom

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) walks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (R) before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on March 17, 2025. 

Economics

Global Trade

Politics

U.S. tariff threats are pushing India to revamp negotiations over free trade agreements, but protectionist trade policies and other obstacles will challenge the progression of talks.

India Dusts Off Old FTA Negotiations Ahead of U.S. Tariffs

Assessments

Canada

Saudi Arabia

South Korea

Ukraine

Canadian flags are seen outside a building in Ottawa. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: Canada's Ruling Liberals Pick a New Leader, India and the EU Hold Trade Talks 

Media

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

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Podcasts

How might U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policy affect emerging and developing markets?

Essential Geopolitics: The Outlook for Emerging Markets

Military & Security

How will the global risk landscape evolve over the course of the year?

Essential Geopolitics: RANE's Forecast Trends for 2025

Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Damage on Feb. 13 in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: Mideast Ceasefires and Arab Gaza Proposals, the AU Summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a luncheon at the U.S. State Department on June 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Discussions between the two leaders will likely focus on addressing India's trade surplus with the U.S., exploring ways to mitigate potential tariffs, and deepening defense cooperation.

What To Expect From Modi's Meeting With Trump

Ecuador

Jordan

Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks to the press in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2024.

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Meets With India and Jordan's Leaders, Ecuador Holds Elections

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The lobby of the headquarters for the U.S. Agency for International Development is seen on Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Cuts to U.S.-funded humanitarian and development programs could worsen global health outcomes, destabilize security environments, accelerate democratic backsliding, and create opportunities for rival powers to expand their influence.

The Global Implications of Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts

Bangladeshi soldiers stand guard in Dhaka on July 27, 2024.

Since assuming power in August, Bangladesh's interim government has pursued closer ties with Pakistan and China, deepening India's concerns about regional stability and its declining influence over Dhaka.

Bangladesh's More Assertive Foreign Policy Puts India on Edge

The Geopolitics of Water

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

South Asia's rising demand for water resources will exacerbate disputes over key waterways, particularly the Brahmaputra and Indus rivers.

The Geopolitics of Water: Regional Rivals Compete for South Asia's Rivers

Myanmar

Thailand

Vietnam

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, leading to widespread destruction and killing at least 25 people, including at least three across the border in Thailand, with the death count still rising, The New York Times reported on March 28.

Myanmar: Largest Earthquake in Over a Century Kills Dozens, Imperils BRI Projects

On March 28, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first state visit, which began on March 26 and lasted four days, the Daily Star reported March 28.

Bangladesh, China: Yunus meets with Xi, Signing 8 MoUs and Deal on Economic and Technical Cooperation

International Monetary Fund staff and Pakistani authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of Pakistan's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and a new arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), Reuters reported March 25.

Pakistan: IMF and Pakistan Reach Staff-Level Agreement

On March 24, Trump announced that the United States would impose a 25% secondary tariff on countries buying oil and gas from Venezuela, set to take effect on April 2, the Hindu reported on March 25.

India: Trump's 25% Tariff on Venezuelan Oil Poses Challenges for India

The Afghan Taliban's interior ministry spokesperson said the United States had withdrawn bounties on Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and two other members of the Haqqani network, Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani, AP reported on March 23.

U.S., Afghanistan: Afghan Taliban Says U.S. Withdrew Bounties on Senior Figures

Spain

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media the imposition of 25% tariffs on all imports from countries that purchase Venezuelan oil and gas, Reuters reported on March 24.

U.S., Venezuela: 'Secondary' Tariffs Escalate Washington's Sanctions Policy

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka on April 5, the Economic Times reported on March 22. 

India, Sri Lanka: Modi To Visit Sri Lanka on April 5

The Indian government decided not to extend its $23 billion production-linked initiative scheme aimed at incentivizing domestic manufacturing and luring companies away from China, limiting the program to its original 14 pilot sectors, Reuters reported on March 21. 

India: $23B Manufacturing Scheme To Lapse Following Shortcomings and Delays

South Asia

SITUATION REPORTS

Myanmar: Largest Earthquake in Over a Century Kills Dozens, Imperils BRI Projects

Bangladesh, China: Yunus meets with Xi, Signing 8 MoUs and Deal on Economic and Technical Cooperation

Pakistan: IMF and Pakistan Reach Staff-Level Agreement

India: Trump's 25% Tariff on Venezuelan Oil Poses Challenges for India

U.S., Afghanistan: Afghan Taliban Says U.S. Withdrew Bounties on Senior Figures

U.S., Venezuela: 'Secondary' Tariffs Escalate Washington's Sanctions Policy

India, Sri Lanka: Modi To Visit Sri Lanka on April 5

India: $23B Manufacturing Scheme To Lapse Following Shortcomings and Delays

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