South Asia's toxic winter: How new political shifts are changing regional dynamics

The winter air-quality crisis in South-Asia has reached new heights with toxic smog covering major cities in India and Pakistan. Last week Lahoreʼs AQI hit an unprecedented 1‚900 (way above the 300 hazardous threshold)‚ while New-Delhiʼs visibility dropped to a few hundred feet

The issue stems from multiple factors: temperature-inversion across the Indo-Gangetic Plain‚ stubble-burning by farmers and heavy industrial emissions. Despite Maryam Nawazʼs recent calls for cross-border cooperation; both countries continue finger-pointing instead of finding solutions

In US politics‚ Donald Trumpʼs recent election victory brought significant pro-India figures to his cabinet. His picks include:
* Mike Waltz - national security advisor and India Caucus co-chair
* Marco Rubio - secretary of state nominee with strong India-friendly stance
* Tulsi Gabbard - intelligence director pick whos Hindu faith drew attention

Sri Lankan politics saw a major shift as Anura Kumara Dissanayake secured 159 of 225 parliamentary seats (an impressive win considering his partys previous limited presence). His anti-corruption platform resonated despite tensions with the Tamil community; however his promises to avoid IMF austerity measures might face real-world challenges

A ground-breaking electricity deal lets Nepal export power to Bangladesh through India - marking improved sub-regional cooperation. Meanwhile Pakistan and Bangladesh restored direct maritime links after decades of limited contact: their first cargo ship docked at Chittagong port since 71

The regions diplomatic landscape keeps shifting as countries form new partnerships. India strengthens its eastern connections while Pakistan looks towards Central Asia; creating a complex web of alliances that dont always follow traditional patterns