Hriday Sarma
Dr. Hriday Ch. Sarma, a seasoned professional in international affairs, energy transition, and business sustainability, is a Fellow at the South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF). With experience spanning academia and industry, he significantly contributes to both. Holding a PhD in Energy Studies, Sarma's research delves into the dynamics of energy transition. He has been a Visiting Fellow at institutions like the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), and the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC). As a co-founder of the Caucasus-Asia Center, he actively shaped discourse until its activities were temporarily suspended.
Latest TSA
US–Bangladesh New Trade Agreement: Impacts of Ending Subsidies in Agriculture and Industry, and Future...
On February 9, 2026, Bangladesh’s interim government signed a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. This agreement has sparked widespread debate regarding Bangladesh’s autonomy in economic policymaking and its sovereignty (CPD April 19, 2026). As an apparent concession, the United States reduced reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods from...
Iran, Israel, and US War: South Asian Migrant Workers and the Need for a...
Introduction:
“It was nothing like any sound I have heard before in my life,” said Vikrant, a 28-year-old Dubai-based Indian delivery worker, recalling the thunder of explosions when Iranian drones struck the United Arab Emirates (Kumar, 2026). Fearing for his safety, he shared only his first name. Today, Vikrant’s anxiety...
SADF NEWSLETTER South Asia Weekly – On the Afghan-Pakistani Border
The Most Consequential Developments Are the Least Reported
In South Asia, the developments most likely to shape the region’s future are often the ones receiving the least international attention. While global media focuses on crises elsewhere, a volatile situation is unfolding between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with implications for regional security,...