South Asia

Over the past few days, the country’s bishops have been in the Vatican for a meeting with the Pope and the departments of the Roman Curia. The president of the Bishops’ Conference, Shukardin, told Vatican media: “He has given us a new vision and new hope for the future”. Evangelisation, poverty and a lack of educational opportunities are the main challenges.

On 13 May, two Salesian priests, Fr Albert Panmei Aching and Fr Peter Poji Küvisie, were abducted and later released after 24 hours in captivity. The provincial expressed his relief and thanked all those who helped secure the release of his confreres.

From 4 to 8 May, Sharks International 2026 took place, the world’s leading event in the sector for experts and enthusiasts. The event was attended by 800 people representing 82 countries, with over 800 papers presented. Sri Lanka is a crucial hotspot of high biodiversity in the Indian Ocean, yet heavily exploited for shark and ray fishing.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court backs Hindu nationalists, ending the practice that since 2003 had allowed Muslims and Hindus to pray in the same historical complex on different days. The ruling specifically cites the Ayodhya case, which has had a domino effect in archaeological studies and claims in various parts of India.

Concerns are growing over the effects of deforestation on the climate and public health. Activists are speaking out against the loss of green spaces and urban sprawl, which are exacerbating heatwaves, pollution and drought. New regulations to protect trees have been introduced in Sindh and Punjab. Environmentalists: tree planting cannot replace the ecological value of mature forests.

The water management project for the Himalayan river is back at the centre of discussions between Bangladesh, China and India. The Bangladeshi government, currently led by Tarique Rahman, is seeking support from Beijing, reigniting tensions with New Delhi over water resources and Chinese influence in the region. At stake are 1.5 million tonnes of rice a year that Dhaka loses due to poor irrigation.

The victims, members of the Thadou Baptist Association, were attacked in Kangpokpi district as they made their way home from a religious conference, sparking concern in a region ravaged by ethnic violence for the past three years. For the archbishop of Imphal, the parties to the conflict must not deepen the pain. He calls for life to be defended, as well as “forgiveness” and “peaceful coexistence,” urging the authorities to restore trust.

Shakeel and Sammer Masih, sewer cleaners, are the latest victims of workplace fatalities among Christians. Activists denounce the failure to comply with safety protocols. The Bishop of the Sahiwal Baptist Church has spoken out, and the authorities have promised a thorough investigation. Also weighing heavily is the lack of access to education for Christians, who are exploited in dangerous jobs.

Increasingly frequent heatwaves are reducing the income and increasing the expenses of millions of informal workers. To tackle this crisis, parametric insurance is becoming more widespread, offering automatic compensation when temperatures exceed certain pre-set thresholds.

The judges have ruled that disclosing the sex of the unborn child is a discriminatory and harmful practice, as well as being unconstitutional. The ruling comes at a time when the scourge of selective abortion, leading to the elimination of female foetuses, remains widespread. In the country, although abortions are formally permitted only to save the mother’s life, 1.58 million are performed annually, putting the health of many mothers at risk as well.

Transparency International expressed “serious concern” over Kapila Chandrasena’s death. The investigation into the aircraft procurement is ongoing “without obstruction or delay”. The airline’s former CEO died on 8 May in Kollupitiya, after a new arrest warrant was issued against him. The 61-year-old was accused of receiving millions of dollars in bribes. Police view his death as suspicious.

One year on from the lightning war of May 2025, India and Pakistan continue to celebrate the conflict as a national victory. But behind the patriotic rhetoric, new military vulnerabilities are emerging, along with a growing arms race and unresolved tensions over Kashmir, terrorism and water resources, whilst diplomatic channels between the two nuclear powers remain virtually frozen.