What countries is Urdu spoken?

Urdu is primarily spoken in Pakistan, where it is the national language and serves as a lingua franca among diverse linguistic communities. It is also widely understood and spoken in India, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Telangana. Additionally, there are significant Urdu-speaking communities in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and the Gulf states, due to migration and the diaspora.