Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief.
The highlights this week: Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman makes a significant trip to China, tensions rise as the Taliban say Pakistani strikes in Afghanistan killed civilians, and India sends junior officials to attend the funeral of Iranian Supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Bangladesh, China Hail ‘New Era’ of Ties
Last week, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spent four days in China. The trip, which included an initial stop in Malaysia, was his first abroad since taking office in February.
At first glance, Rahman’s itinerary may not seem like a big deal. China is a top partner and donor of Bangladesh, and bilateral ties have deepened significantly over more than a decade. But the trip was more than just another high-level visit—it has potentially problematic implications for India, China’s rival and a traditional close friend of Bangladesh.
