Published on January 6, 2026•SPRING politics
Rooted in century-old conflicts, political polarization in South Asia has threatened—and continues to threaten—the region’s development. The resentment between ethnic and political groups in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan have created generational distrust between their people that worsens the already significant challenge that policy-makers and governments face in these nations. India, in particular, is relevant in the discussion of political polarization in South Asia. While many events and figures can be deemed significant in the creation of India’s political divide, it stems from a deceivingly simple question: who ‘belongs’ to India?