Does eating sugar cause diabetes?

Not directly. Sugar-sweetened beverages and excess calories contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, which drive type 2 diabetes. Genetics, visceral fat, inactivity, and ethnicity (South Asians are at higher risk at lower BMI) are major factors.

Refined starch — white rice, maida, bread, biscuits — raises glucose much like sugar does, and often makes up a larger share of Indian diets than sweets.

Genetics and visceral fat are major drivers. South Asians develop insulin resistance at lower BMI, so diabetes at a normal-looking weight is common.