South Asia Strategic Research Center (GASAM) was founded in 2004 to provide accurate and objective information about the historical, political, economic, and sociocultural structures of the South Asian region, composed of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as about strategic and geopolitical dynamics of the region.

GASAM aims to inform the Turkish public about South Asian countries and, in return, inform the South Asian public about Türkiye. It also aims to procure mutual benefits for them in the historical, economic, academic, and sociocultural domains, and this way to contribute to regional and global peace.

“South Asia Country Analyses” provides an overview of the region to improve the understanding of South Asian countries in Türkiye. This study aims to become a source of fundamental information about South Asia that will hopefully contribute to improving bilateral relations between Türkiye and the region’s countries. It also seeks to explore South Asia’s geographical,historical, political, and economic potential and raise general awareness regarding the significance of this region.

he study is divided into two parts. The initial section is an introductory chapter discussing the general characteristics of South Asia. The second part provides separate analyses of eight South Asian countries. A different author wrote each chapter in this work. The book is prepared in two languages, Turkish and English, and the texts deliberately avoid complex academic jargon, offering analyses instead in a direct and succinct style.

One of the most significant attributes of this book is that it is an objective and collective work. It is also a pioneering study in that there is no such study with this scope either in Türkiye or in the region’s countries. From this perspective, it is hoped that readers in Türkiye and South Asian countries will find this book, sponsored by GASAM, an invaluable compendium of fundamental information about South Asia.

We would like to convey our gratitude to every person and institution who supported the realization of our project. We hope that this work will contribute to the social, political, scientific, cultural, and economic activities between Türkiye and South Asian countries.

Cemal Demir GASAM President