Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief. The highlights this week: A United States delegation visits Bangladesh amid a perceived change in relations, Pakistan moves forward with a natural gas pipeline to Iran, and India enters into a new dispute with social media platform X. Sign up to receive South Asia Brief in your inbox every Wednesday. A senior U.S. government delegation visited Bangladesh this week with the objective of enhancing diplomatic ties and advancing shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region. The delegation included Eileen Laubacher from the National Security Council, Afreen Akhter from the State Department, and Michael Schiffer from the U.S. Agency for International Development. The discussions focused on climate change, trade, the Rohingya refugee crisis, and labor rights. The visit came in the midst of a shift in bilateral relations, especially in terms of tone and messaging. Prior to Bangladesh’s elections on Jan. 7, the United States took significant steps to promote human rights and democracy in the country, including sanctions and public criticism. However, U.S. President Joe Biden’s letter to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Feb. 6 signaled a new chapter in the relationship without mentioning rights or democracy. The visit saw warm and positive messaging from both sides, indicating a change from previous tensions. The shift in U.S.-Bangladesh relations reflects a strategic imperative for smooth relations. In Pakistan, plans for a gas pipeline to Iran have been approved after years of stagnation. The pipeline is seen as a significant development for Pakistan’s energy sector, despite risks associated with international sanctions and strained relations with Iran. In India, tensions with social media platform X have escalated, with the platform rejecting Indian demands on free speech grounds. India is a key market for X, but the platform has faced challenges with the Indian government in the past. In Pakistan, a coalition government is close to formation after no party won a majority in recent elections. Political turmoil persists, with allegations of vote-rigging and protests planned by the opposition. The potential for increased political instability poses challenges for economic stabilization in Pakistan. Sri Lanka recently announced new visa regulations for Russian and Ukrainian tourists in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
