India
Caught in the Net
A New Lines investigation has found that, in 2023, over 70 fishers from Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, were lured to Oman with promises of higher pay. They were then trafficked into illegal fishing on Belize-flagged vessels using Palau-issued seafarer documents, revealing gaps in maritime governance.
Greenwashing Coal
The Indian government has been promoting eco parks built on the sites of old coal mines as part of its plans for a just transition away from fossil fuels. Yet behind the superficial imagery and rhetoric, local communities continue to endure toxic air and water, while the parks offer little direct benefit.
Cultural Ties Binding India and Pakistan Face Unprecedented Strain
Cultural exchange between India and Pakistan — which has continued via cinema, music and fashion despite official restrictions — is now under unprecedented strain due to the recent political conflict. As artists face tighter regulations and digital borders harden, nationalism is threatening a shared cultural heritage.
Are India and Pakistan Edging Closer to the Brink of War?
India and Pakistan face a situation close to war in one of the worst clashes between the countries to take place in more than two decades. Amid military exchanges, the trading of accusations and an information war straddling traditional and social media, both publics appear primed to support further actions.
The Lines Blur Between Civilians and Combatants in India’s Manipur
As the ethnic conflict in India’s northeastern state of Manipur drags on and new militias and “village volunteer” camps continue to crop up, the lines between combatants and civilians have blurred.
India is Reeling as the Illusion of Normalcy Dissolves in Kashmir
A deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir has exposed the Indian government’s claims of normalcy in the region. Tensions with Pakistan have now escalated sharply, with long-standing international agreements in jeopardy, while calls for vengeance resonate throughout Indian society.
The Women Helping the Afghan Refugee Community Connect with Literature and Culture in Delhi
In Delhi, two Afghan women are teaching the Dari language to children of fellow refugees, born far from their homeland. Beyond the needs of survival, they insist, refugees deserve beauty, joy and connection to their cultural heritage.