Which Issues Will Shape U.S.-South Asia Ties for the Next White House?

In recent years, a few factors have ensured that the region is high on Washington’s radar.

Kugelman-Michael-foreign-policy-columnist13
Kugelman-Michael-foreign-policy-columnist13
Michael Kugelman
By , the writer of Foreign Policy’s weekly South Asia Brief and the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden, pointing his finger, chat as they pose for a photo during a G-7 summit.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden chat as they pose for a photo during the G-7 summit in Fasano, Italy, on June 14. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The United States may not ascribe as much strategic significance to South Asia as it does to East Asia or the Middle East. But in recent years, a few factors—intensifying great-power competition, democratic backsliding, concerns about stability, and a deepening strategic partnership with India—have ensured that the region remains high on Washington’s radar.

As the U.S. presidential election draws close, I wanted to share some editions of South Asia Brief from this year that cover just a few of the issues that could shape U.S. relations with countries in the region over the next four years.

The United States may not ascribe as much strategic significance to South Asia as it does to East Asia or the Middle East. But in recent years, a few factors—intensifying great-power competition, democratic backsliding, concerns about stability, and a deepening strategic partnership with India—have ensured that the region remains high on Washington’s radar.

As the U.S. presidential election draws close, I wanted to share some editions of South Asia Brief from this year that cover just a few of the issues that could shape U.S. relations with countries in the region over the next four years.

The Quad Gets a Boost: The July foreign ministers’ summit sent a signal that all is well with the grouping after a year of competing obligations.

The Modi-Putin Summit Wasn’t All Bad News for Washington: Why the “Russia factor” is a manageable challenge for the U.S.-India partnership.

The West Eyes India’s Transnational Repression: In Modi’s third term, the targeting of Sikh separatists abroad remains in the conversation.

Will Elon Musk Test the South Asian Market?: As the tech billionaire markets his Starlink internet service, the region presents an opening.

This post is part of FP’s live coverage with global updates and analysis throughout the U.S. election. Follow along here.

Michael Kugelman is the writer of Foreign Policy’s weekly South Asia Brief. He is the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington. X: @michaelkugelman

Join the Conversation

Commenting on this and other recent articles is just one benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription.

Already a subscriber? .

Join the Conversation

Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now.

Not your account?

Join the Conversation

Please follow our comment guidelines, stay on topic, and be civil, courteous, and respectful of others’ beliefs.

You are commenting as .