01
India worried about China-Bangladesh closer ties
The Indian media reported on March 7 that Bangladesh is actively pursuing diplomacy with China and Pakistan, signaling a potential shift for India.
The Yunus-led interim government, which has been in place for six months, is likely to visit China on March 27-28, a major development for both countries. Between the two countries, there is a long-term plan to develop a submarine base in Bangladesh, formerly known as Sheikh Hasina, which has two Chinese-made submarines and will be visited by the Chinese navy in the future.
Meanwhile, the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in April is also a major one. Not long ago, Bangladesh also participated in Pakistani naval exercises for the first time in decades.
India, on the other hand, has maintained only low-level contacts. on March 3, the two countries discussed the situation of cross-border rivers . Meng is still demanding Hasina’s extradition, which has become the biggest hurdle between the two countries at the moment.
02
India turns to engagement with Afghan Taliban
The Deccan Herald reported on March 4 that India was about to agree to the reopening of Atta’s embassy in India by a member of the interim government, but would not recognize his ambassadorial status or allow the Atta flag to be flown.
On January 8, Vikram Misri, secretary of the Indian foreign ministry, made his first official contact with senior Atta officials in Dubai.
This means that in order to protect its interests in Afghanistan in the face of growing Chinese pressure, India has seized the opportunity of the Pak-Afghan stalemate to make a U-turn in its policy towards Afghanistan. But the human rights baggage is making India squirm.
03
India’s reluctance to balance China in Sri Lanka
On March 6, an analytical article in Gateway House, an Indian think tank, argued that the new Sri Lankan president’s successive visits to India and China indicate that the new government will follow an independent and non-aligned foreign policy.
On January 8, Sri Lanka lifted a year-long ban on foreign research vessels entering its waters. The ban was imposed mainly due to pressure from India to prevent our research vessels, which India calls spy ships, from docking in Sri Lanka.
This meant that Sri Lanka sought a balance between India and China and avoided getting involved in the India-China rivalry. India, a traditional partner, provided more than $4 billion in aid during Sri Lanka’s financial crisis. China, on the other hand, remains a strong ally, accounting for 119 percent of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade in 2023.
On January 16, China signed a joint statement with visiting new President Dissanayake. It mentions that the two countries are willing to continue maritime cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed on the promotion of the Blue Partnership and maritime cooperation.
Earlier, on December 16, Dissanayake made his first visit to India after his election and issued a joint statement mentioning that the two countries will complete the defense cooperation agreement as soon as possible. During the meeting, India raised the issue of Chinese research vessels docking in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the importance and sensitivity of this to India’s security interests, and Dissanayake immediately assured that nothing would be done to undermine India’s security interests. Indian media believe that Sri Lanka’s alienation from China is a major victory for Indian diplomacy.
End of article. Please cite the source when transferring maps. For more on the India-China border and South Asia developments involving our country and their analysis, please click on my homepage. For a daily compilation of the most professional news on South Asian developments, please click For in-depth analysis of South Asian news, please click
End of this post. Please cite the source for the trans map.
For more on the India-China border and South Asia dynamics involving our country and its analysis, please click on my homepage.
For more on the most specialized daily compilation of news on South Asian developments click on
For more in-depth analysis of South Asia news, please click here.
Leave a Reply