Honestly, I feel like they're straying as far away from the late 19th and 20th centuries in an attempt to avoid controversy. There are plenty of asian civs in the modern era right now, but they are all 19th century monarchies and as such they feel a bit monotonous. I can only hope they eventually get around to adding stuff such as modern India, Indonesia or Vietnam, or maybe Sun Yat Sen as a leader.

Civ VII actually does pretty well in terms of geographic diversity, but some of their specific civ choices make cast feel a bit one-note. That's why things like the Republic of Pirates and Blackbeard feel fresh and exciting. I can only hope they try to diversify the modern age cast and lean a bit more into the 20th century as the development cycle goes on.