As U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits India, he has indicated human rights will be on the agenda. So far, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan has dominated the Biden administration’s approach to South Asia. Blinken’s visit will indicate the administration’s approach to the region, as well as how advancing human rights can counter Chinese influence.
South Asia’s enormity makes the drawing of broad trends difficult, but two competing themes are present. On the one hand, the region stands out for its traditions of democracy, minority rights, and pluralism. On the other, this history is threatened by growing authoritarianism, legal repression, and forced homogenization.
Generally, South As
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