South Asia
The Foundation was established in Germany in 1958. It aims to promote the goal of making the principle of freedom valid for the dignity of all people and in all areas of society, both in Germany and abroad. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom works in over 65 countries worldwide.
In South Asia, we have offices in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, we work with partners in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. We promote civic education, training, and the exchange of ideas in the region, focusing on four areas: economic freedom, human rights, urban governance, and digital transformation. In addition to country-specific projects, the Foundation supports regional programs.
News
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US–India relations and the 2024 presidential elections: Continuity amidst change
Despite potential policy shifts, several factors underpin expectations of continuity in US–India relations. Foremost is the deepening strategic convergence between the two nations, particularly their shared concern over China's assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific region. This alignment transcends partisan divides in the US and provides a robust foundation for continuing cooperation.
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Pakistan’s Perspective on the 2024 U.S. Elections
Donald Trump’s first term (2017–2021) left U.S.-Pakistan relations in a fragile state by cutting $1.3 billion in security aid, accusing Pakistan of harboring militant groups, including the Taliban. This move strained bilateral ties and disrupted long-standing military training programs between the two countries. Additionally, Trump’s deepening ties with India through the Quad alliance have distanced Pakistan, positioning New Delhi as Washington’s preferred partner in South Asia, especially in countering China’s influence.
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Policy Pathways for Gender and Sexual Minorities in Asia: Reflections on Freedom and Dignity
India crossed an important milestone with the legal recognition of transgender individuals. However, there is still a need for greater political representation, better access to education and healthcare, and better protection of family rights for transgender individuals in the years to come.
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Research Papers on India's Democracy – Unpacking Resilience, Stability, and Lessons for Global Democracies
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Russia’s use of South Asian fighters in the Ukraine war
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Indian Perspective on Ukraine's Reconstruction
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Bhutan’s Digital Transformation Journey: Benefits, Issues and Challenges
Today, Bhutanese citizens can access services that are delivered end-to-end at the click of a button on their PCs or smartphones, and keep physical visits to service agencies at a minimum.
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A critical examination of the political parties of Bhutan in the light of its socio-political backdrop
…the ultimate winner could be the one who seriously rethinks the present scenario of Bhutan
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Decriminalization of Same-Sex Activity in South Asia
Decriminalizing same-sex activity has been a long-standing battle in many countries worldwide. South Asia is no exception, and several countries in the region have made significant strides in advancing the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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Communications Consultant
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) South Asia is looking for a Communications Consultant to develop a focused Channel Strategy for FNF South Asia region. The Communications Consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing FNF's communication efforts and strengthening its outreach in the region.
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Connecting the Dots
‘Connecting the dots’ is a podcast series by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Asia. Over the last year, Europe has found itself in a precarious position with the largest territorial annexation since World War 2, this has in many ways challenged the European Way of Life, presenting a larger question of ‘what next’.
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European Supply Chain Regulations and Countries in South Asia
The paper starts by briefly describing the main global supply chains or global value chains (GVCs) that connect South Asia with the EU and the main human rights violations observed in them. To set the tone for the discussions, it is important to define different wage types, such as living wages, minimum wages and actual wages. This is the prelude to the economics of human rights violations in GVCs. It shows that human rights violations have economic effects on labour, the communities and other users of environmental services, the environment itself, and overall economies of the global South. The paper further analyzes the existing and proposed human rights due diligence in the EU, with the meaning of transformative change.
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Human Rights Situation Under Taliban Regime
The resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the subsequent dissolution of the pre-existing republic on August 15, 2021, has resulted in a pronounced rollback in the progress made toward protecting human rights and free society values. This shift has severely impacted the communal and individual liberties of women and other at-risk groups, triggering grave apprehensions regarding the current human rights situation in the nation.
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Celebrating Equality
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of Nepal issued an interim order on June 28, 2023, instructing the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) and other relevant ministries to establish a transitional mechanism that ensures the registration of marriages for non-heterosexual couples.
