Asia-Pacific - South Asia RegionalPULSE: 24 SEP 2025
Geopolitical & Security Analysis Regional Report
Report Details
Initial Publish Date
Last Updated: 24 SEP 2025
Report Focus Location: Asia-Pacific - South Asia
Authors: JC, MAM, NB, ZR
Contributors: GSAT
GSAT Lead: MF
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Report Summary
- Afghanistan reels from a devastating earthquake, with over 2,200 killed and thousands displaced, compounding humanitarian crises amid Taliban restrictions and strained aid delivery.
- The Taliban’s rejection of Trump’s demand to return Bagram airbase highlights growing U.S.-China-Afghanistan tensions.
- Bangladesh faces mounting pressure from climate-driven economic losses, shrinking aid, and the ongoing burden of hosting 1.3 million Rohingya refugees.
- India experiences renewed unrest in Ladakh over statehood demands, raising risks in a strategic border region with China.
- Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi’s rapprochement underscores India’s balancing act between U.S. tariffs, Russia ties, and China relations.
- Myanmar’s conflict intensifies as the military launches new offensives in Karen State, while India explores rare-earth supply deals with the Kachin Independence Army, widening competition with China.
- Nepal transitions under interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki after deadly anti-corruption protests, as elections loom in March 2026.Pakistan faces devastating floods that have wiped out large portions of staple crops, endangering food security and economic stability despite IMF support.
- Islamabad simultaneously deepens external security and economic ties through a Saudi defence pact and new China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
- Sri Lanka resumes a major Chinese-funded highway project while reaffirming the rupee as its only legal tender, highlighting its reliance on Beijing amid ongoing IMF-backed recovery efforts.
