<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

Snapshots

Demonstrators carrying Nepal's national flag stage a protest outside the parliament building in Kathmandu on Sept. 8, 2025, against social media prohibitions and government corruption. 

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Despite the prime minister's resignation and the lifting of a controversial social media ban, risks of violent unrest will likely persist as long-standing political instability deepens.

Nepal's Political Instability Deepens as Violent Protests Prompt Prime Minister's Resignation

China

Russia

Participants of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 pose for photos in Tianjin, China, on Sept. 1, 2025.

Energy

Global Trade

U.S. trade uncertainty will help China deepen trade ties with its Central Asian neighbors and infrastructure ties with Russia, but its relations with India will remain inhibited by border disputes and differing defense priorities.

China Positions Itself as Growth Catalyst for Central Asia at SCO Summit

Assessments

United States

A freight train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, on Aug. 26, 2025. 

While India will remain engaged in U.S. trade talks, a deal that secures relief from Trump's 50% tariff will remain elusive amid New Delhi's reluctance to reduce its agricultural protections and Russian oil purchases. 


U.S. Tariffs Strain India's Exports Amid Stalled Trade Talks

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

The Geopolitics of Trade

Environment, Science & Technology

Geopolitical, security and environmental risks threaten to disrupt trade through crucial waterways, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Suez Canal, the Danish and Turkish straits, and the Panama Canal.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 2

Ecuador

Mexico

North Korea

Ukraine

Helicopters fly in the sky during a rehearsal for a military parade Aug. 24 in Beijing.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: An SCO Summit, Rubio Closes Security Deals With Mexico and Ecuador

Diverse security risks threaten maritime chokepoints around the world, presenting unique challenges to international trade.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 1

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a meeting on May 14, 2015, in Xian, China. 

While Trump-era tariff pressures offer a new economic incentive for cooperation, Beijing and New Delhi are unlikely to fully normalize ties due to enduring strategic and security concerns.

Despite Modest Improvement, India-China Relations Face Enduring Challenges

Supporters of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami party wave the national flag in Dhaka during a rally held to call for the introduction of a proportional representation system in the country's forthcoming general election on July 19, 2025. 

While delays remain possible, the interim government will likely hold elections in February 2026 as promised, paving the way for a functioning parliament and the implementation of key reforms.

A Set Election Date Eases Political Uncertainty in Bangladesh

Bolivia

Israel

Palestinian Territories

An aerial view shows a campaign poster of Bolivian presidential candidate Samuel Doria Medina and his supporters marching during a rally in La Paz, Bolivia, on Aug. 12, 2025.

The Weekly Rundown: Bolivian Elections, a Controversial Israeli Settlement Plan 

Workers at the Samsung plant in Sriperumbudur, India, stage a protest to demand higher wages and recognition of their union on Sept. 11, 2024. 

The labor reforms, aimed at streamlining regulations and attracting investment, face significant delays and uneven implementation due to political resistance, trade union opposition and state-level administrative challenges.

India's Labor Codes: Challenges to Nationwide Adoption

The European Union unveiled a "new strategic agenda" for its bilateral relations with India, setting out plans to deepen cooperation across security, trade, technology, space and migration, a statement by the European Commission read on Sept. 17. 

EU, India: Brussels Announce Strategic Agenda for India Relations

Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki appointed reputed reformists as finance, energy and home ministers, days after dissolving parliament and scheduling elections for March 5, 2026, Reuters reported on Sept. 15.

Nepal: Interim Administration Begins To Take Shape, Plans for March 2026 Elections

Nepal's president appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the country's interim prime minister, and she will form a Cabinet over the coming days, The New York Times reported on Sept. 12.

Nepal: President Appoints Former Chief Justice as Interim Prime Minister, To Form Cabinet Soon

The Nepalese military remained on the streets of the capital Kathmandu and began preliminary talks with protesters on appointing an interim leader, with protest representatives split on a proposal to appoint former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to the position, AP reported on Sept. 11.

Nepal: Army Officials Meet With Protesters as Military and President Pursue Solution to Current Crisis

U.S. President Donald Trump told European leaders during a conference call on Sept. 9 that he would be willing to add new tariffs on India and China to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine, but only if the Europeans also applied such tariffs, according to Bloomberg.

U.S., Europe: Trump Proposes U.S.-Europe Tariffs on China, Brussels Will Reject It

Thousands of Nepalese protested the government's recent access restrictions on around two dozen social media platforms, as well as public-sector corruption, fueling violence in the capital and elsewhere that has killed at least 19 people and injured hundreds of others, The New York Times reported on Sept. 8.

Nepal: Deadliest Protests in Years Pressure Government, Prompt Home Minister's Resignation

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with various Chinese officials this week during a six-day visit to China, resulting in the two countries signing $7 billion in memoranda of understanding as well as $1.5 billion in joint ventures across a range of sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, health and steel, AP reported Sept. 5.

Pakistan, China: Countries Sign $8.5 Billion in Investment Deals, Renew Commitment to Starting CPEC's Next Phase

India announced an overhaul of its goods and services tax, cutting rates on hundreds of consumer items and simplifying the structure from four tiers of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% to two tiers of 5% and 18% to spur domestic demand amid U.S. tariff pressures, Bloomberg reported Sept. 3.

India: Government Approves Cuts to Consumption Taxes

South Asia

SITUATION REPORTS

EU, India: Brussels Announce Strategic Agenda for India Relations

Nepal: Interim Administration Begins To Take Shape, Plans for March 2026 Elections

Nepal: President Appoints Former Chief Justice as Interim Prime Minister, To Form Cabinet Soon

Nepal: Army Officials Meet With Protesters as Military and President Pursue Solution to Current Crisis

U.S., Europe: Trump Proposes U.S.-Europe Tariffs on China, Brussels Will Reject It

Nepal: Deadliest Protests in Years Pressure Government, Prompt Home Minister's Resignation

Pakistan, China: Countries Sign $8.5 Billion in Investment Deals, Renew Commitment to Starting CPEC's Next Phase

India: Government Approves Cuts to Consumption Taxes

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