The NATO summit can indirectly transform India from a regional power into a West Asia stakeholder by integrating India into maritime security frameworks, supporting connectivity projects, strengthening intelligence ties, reinforcing India’s role as an alternative to China. The long-term outcome is that India could emerge as a pillar of stability linking Europe, the Gulf, and the Indo-Pacific
Japan has also proposed developing a Bay of Bengal–Northeast India Industrial Value Chain aimed at transforming the region into an integrated industrial zone. As part of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision, this includes strengthening cross-border connectivity with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan.
China's expressed interest in modernising and upgrading both Chattogram and Mongla ports suggests the emergence of an interconnected infrastructure network linking the Bay of Bengal with southwestern China through Myanmar. If realised, such connectivity would enhance trade flows, improve regional logistics and deepen China's economic footprint across the Bay of Bengal littoral, while simultaneously increasing Bangladesh's importance as a regional transit and connectivity hub.
While Washington and New Delhi seek to strengthen bilateral ties with Colombo, Beijing has strategically engaged with the political forces that control the government. By engaging directly with actors at the core of Sri Lanka’s governance, Beijing appears to be signalling its strategic intent—projecting influence and reinforcing ideological ties.
Madrassas in Pakistan and Afghanistan, often funded by Gulf states, have spread extremist ideologies. Saudi-financed madrasas in Pakistan taught Wahhabism, fostering a transnational network of militants using Afghanistan as a base. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia provided substantial aid and funding to these madrassas and the Mujahideen, promoting jihad against the Soviets.
Pakistan's continuous political turbulence, characterised by infighting and power rivalries, poses a serious threat to the country's economic development.
The violent conflicts have caused infrastructure damage, supply chain disruptions, and industry closures that have cost Bangladesh billions of dollars in lost revenue and negatively impacted essential industries like clothing, steel, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals. Its ramifications went beyond short-term financial losses.
The whole Baloch nation has faced the worst form of oppression by the Pakistani State: they have been abducted, received mutilated bodies of their loved ones, confronted illegal raids, illegal detention, and bogus cases. They have not been allowed peaceful protests; they have been totally censored by mainstream media.
It is crucial for India and Pakistan to establish new confidence-building measures (CBMs) to mitigate the potential destabilizing effects of advanced technologies. Key elements of effective CBMs include robust communication channels, bilateral discussions on emerging technologies and their implications for regional peace, and strict adherence to missile test notification protocols.
In this newly revived spirit of amity, PM Gunawardena travelled from Jaffna to Kilinochchi by road. There were no protests and he was received at both venues with warmth and cordiality.
Hasina sees no contradiction in maintaining equity in ties with China and India as she is able to adeptly navigate the conflicting interests of China and India. Analysts feel that Dhaka will continue to have a balanced approach to ties with Beijing and New Delhi since Bangladesh depends on both for stability and growth.
The Moscow meeting was to understand each other's priorities and concerns according to the evolving geopolitics and reassure each other of their commitment to deepening their relationship in the coming years.
A credible, viable, and sustainable foreign and security policy needs to see relationship building, collaboration, and cooperation as part of its education policy and driven by an aspiration for global good and human welfare.
Today, the lack of regional cooperation in South Asia impedes development and has long-term negative economic, social and security ramifications. Over-reliance on foreign powers for partnerships and financial support can have adverse economic effects as seen in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
India was keen to welcome PM Hasina before her China trip to ensure bilateral consensus on sensitive issues. Over the last several years, strategic ties have grown, with cooperation in science and technology, defence and security, energy, trade, commerce, and maritime issues. The goal of the visit was to strengthen these bonds.
China, Russia and the US, however, give little value to international laws. They accept them only if they suit their own interests. They reject them if they conflict with their interests.
India and China have long been strategic rivals in South Asia. China's significant economic footprint in Sri Lanka, through investments in infrastructure projects like the Hambantota Port and the Colombo Port City, has raised concerns in New Delhi about Beijing’s growing influence. The debt deal, involving China, adds another layer to this complex relationship.
The AA’s control over large swathes of territory in Rakhine State, including strategic border areas, increases the risk of arms smuggling, human trafficking, and other illicit activities. Bangladesh's geography puts it at the heart of three major Asian drug trade routes - the Golden Wedge, the Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent. This makes the country a lucrative transit for the region's drugs, especially from Myanmar and India, undermining Bangladesh’s internal security.
The arrest of four Sri Lanka nationals last month in Ahmedabad, India by Gujarat's Anti-Terrorism Squad caught the attention of Sri Lankan authorities. During interrogation, the four admitted to being closely involved with the banned NTJ and confessed they joined IS through Pakistani handler Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi.
