South Asia Snapshot - October 7, 2024
A Tale of Speeches, Summits, and a Region in the Spotlight

Dear Reader,
Welcome to the first edition of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s (ASPI) South Asia Snapshot, where each month we’ll dive into the region’s key policy developments. I’m Farwa Aamer, ASPI’s Director of South Asia Initiatives and the Editor of South Asia Snapshot. My goal each month is to provide you with an insightful look into a region that continues to make profound strides — helping you understand not only what’s happening, but why it matters.
This past month, amid the diplomatic whirlwind of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, South Asia quietly claimed its space on the global stage. While the streets of Manhattan were buzzing with power players, South Asia’s leaders made significant moves both in the spotlight and behind the scenes, signaling the region’s growing relevance in international affairs.
India and the United States: Partners in Progress
Kicking off with the Quad Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. President Joe Biden ahead of the big event, where the two leaders expressed both optimism and pragmatism. During their meeting, they announced a “watershed arrangement” — India will establish its first national security semiconductor fabrication plant. If that sounds complex, just know it’s a game-changer. Think military tech, next-gen telecommunications, and boosting India’s role in the global supply chain.
But this partnership isn’t just about defense and tech; it’s also about shared goals on climate. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden unveiled the U.S.-India Roadmap to Build Safe and Secure Global Clean Energy Supply Chains, a timely initiative where in the initial phase, the United States and India will collaborate to unlock $1 billion in multilateral financing to support projects across the clean energy value chain.
Why it matters: Who's watching in the background of all this goodwill and cooperation? China. The India-U.S. partnership is subtly influenced by mutual concerns about China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. For India, relations with China have been particularly strained since the border clashes in 2020. As India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, noted during his appearance at the Asia Society, the Sino-Indian relationship is complex and multifaceted. While dialogue continues, unresolved issues remain. Dr. Jaishankar described the relationship as “significantly disturbed,” acknowledging that while disengagement efforts have begun, true de-escalation is a different matter altogether. Dr. Jaishankar also expressed that in global politics today “the parallel rise of India and China presents a very unique problem.”
India and Ukraine: Navigating Neutrality
Of course, Prime Minister Modi didn’t just rub shoulders with President Biden. Amid a series of high-level discussions with world leaders and top tech CEOs, on the margins of the UNGA and Summit of the Future in New York, he also met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This meeting highlights India’s ongoing diplomatic balancing act between Kyiv and Moscow.
Why it matters: India has long maintained strong ties with Russia, built on economic, energy, and defense cooperation. The strategic question is, will India leverage its unique relationship with Russia to play a meaningful role in fostering peace? While the answer is unclear at the moment, India's diplomatic efforts in this area are evolving and worth watching closely.
Bangladesh: A New Chapter
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is undergoing a pivotal transformation, and the international community seems to be paying close attention. Enter Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s chief advisor, who took center stage during UNGA, meeting President Biden and other global leaders. His UNGA address brought up a hopeful vision for Bangladesh’s future — one driven by youth and a commitment to democracy. With Sheikh Hasina now out of office, a new political chapter is underway, and Dr. Yunus’ push for international engagement reflects Bangladesh’s desire to redefine itself on the world stage.
Why it matters: Dr. Yunus urged the global community to engage with a 'new Bangladesh' and, as part of our shared world, to embrace his "Three Zeros" vision: zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions. Grand ideas? yes, but timely nonetheless given South Asia’s existential climate and development challenges.
Climate Change: The Ever-Present Threat
Speaking of climate, the colossal environmental challenges facing South Asia are impossible to discount. South Asian leaders highlighted these issues meaningfully within the halls of the UN.
Nepal’s prime minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, stressed the alarming nature of the rate at which the Himalayas are losing their vast snow reserves and threatening water security in the country and the region.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also spotlighted climate concerns during the high-level week, as the country continues to recover from its catastrophic 2022 floods. Pakistan did get a short-term lifeline with the recent approval of IMF’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, but it faces a long uphill climb to break free from the debt-structural challenges-climate crisis cycle.
Why it matters: Water security must become a priority, as it sits at the intersection of South Asia's geopolitical tensions, environmental crises, and economic concerns. Shared rivers and resources will demand collaboration and this could be the area where a largely fragmented South Asia surprises the world with newfound cooperation.
On the Ground in South Asia: Sri Lanka and Winds of Change
And then, there’s Sri Lanka. September saw a seismic shift in the nation’s political landscape, following the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the 10th president of the country. Dissanayake is a leader who promises transparency, anti-corruption measures, and economic reform. His win marks a significant break from the voices that have dominated Sri Lankan politics for decades. For a country still reeling from the aftershocks of its 2022 economic crisis, to many, his leadership represents a moment of cautious hope.
Why it matters: As Dissanayake takes power, the big question is whether his administration will recalibrate the island nation’s foreign policy, especially in relation to India and China. India is already making diplomatic advances, highlighted by Dr. S. Jaishankar's visit to Sri Lanka last week — the first by a foreign minister since the presidential election.
Stay Tuned!
South Asia stands at the crossroads of transformation. From climate change to geopolitics, technology to democracy, the region is evolving in ways that the world cannot afford to ignore.
This first edition of the South Asia Snapshot is merely the prologue to an exciting narrative ahead. Join me as we navigate this exhilarating ride — there’s so much more to explore!
Warmly,
Farwa Aamer