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A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, leading to widespread destruction and killing at least 25 people, including at least three across the border in Thailand, with the death count still rising, The New York Times reported on March 28.

Myanmar: Largest Earthquake in Over a Century Kills Dozens, Imperils BRI Projects

On March 28, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first state visit, which began on March 26 and lasted four days, the Daily Star reported March 28.

Bangladesh, China: Yunus meets with Xi, Signing 8 MoUs and Deal on Economic and Technical Cooperation

India

India is refusing Bangladesh's requests to restore the regular issuance of medical visas, citing staffing shortages and strained bilateral relations, Reuters reported on March 19.

India, Bangladesh: India's Restrictions on Bangladeshi Medical Visas Create Opportunity for China

Bangladesh's foreign ministry spokesperson, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, announced that chief adviser Muhammad Yunus would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on March 28, The Daily Star reported on March 13.

Bangladesh: Yunus To Meet With Xi for Talks on March 28

Nahid Islam, a former student leader in Bangladesh's interim government and head of the newly launched National Citizen Party, said risks to public safety would make it difficult to hold a general election in 2025, Reuters reported on March 6.

Bangladesh: Student Leader Party Says Unrest Could Challenge Upcoming Election

The Bangladeshi students who spearheaded the 2024 mass protests to remove former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina established a political party, the National Citizen Party, The Business Standard reported on Feb. 28.

Bangladesh: Student Protesters Establish New Party

Pakistan

Bangladesh resumed direct trade with Pakistan for the first time since securing independence from Islamabad in 1971, Reuters reported on Feb. 24.

Bangladesh, Pakistan: Bangladesh Resumes Direct Trade With Pakistan

A court in Bangladesh's southeastern city of Chittagong again denied bail for prominent Hindu leader Krishna Das Prabhu, who is facing sedition charges for leading rallies and allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag, AP reported on Jan. 2.

Bangladesh: Chittagong Court Again Rejects Bail for Prominent Hindu Leader

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The lobby of the headquarters for the U.S. Agency for International Development is seen on Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Social Issues

Cuts to U.S.-funded humanitarian and development programs could worsen global health outcomes, destabilize security environments, accelerate democratic backsliding, and create opportunities for rival powers to expand their influence.

The Global Implications of Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts

Bangladeshi soldiers stand guard in Dhaka on July 27, 2024.

Since assuming power in August, Bangladesh's interim government has pursued closer ties with Pakistan and China, deepening India's concerns about regional stability and its declining influence over Dhaka.

Bangladesh's More Assertive Foreign Policy Puts India on Edge

Demonstrators on Sept. 5 mark a month since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. The emphasis on extensive reforms by the interim government of Bangladesh will likely delay elections, intensifying unrest and destabilizing the country even more.

The emphasis on extensive reforms by the interim government of Bangladesh will likely delay elections, intensifying unrest and destabilizing the country even more. 

A Likely Delay to Bangladesh Elections Will Intensify Unrest

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When can we expect elections in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina's resignation?

Essential Geopolitics: The Future of Bangladeshi Politics

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Sri Lanka

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) arrive for a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 25, 2020.

While U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will maintain many of the outgoing Biden administration's overarching policies toward South Asia, bilateral relationships will grow increasingly transactional.

What Trump's Second Term Means for South Asia

A protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Aug. 15.

In Bangladesh, improving security will not eliminate the high risk of additional violence and protests in the coming weeks, while policy uncertainty and severe political tensions in the coming months will continue to threaten the operating environment for businesses.

In Bangladesh, Improving Security Does Not Spell Stability

Bangladesh's military is likely to play a continued role in domestic politics, particularly if the general election is delayed and economic challenges and unrest worsen, and renewed episodes of social unrest are likely if the military takes measures to prevent the Awami League from returning to power.

The Bangladeshi Military's Expanded Role in Politics After Sheikh Hasina

United Kingdom

Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 7, 2024, in Caracas, Venezuela. The presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, respectively, are considering a call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 12 in a bid to promote negotiations with the opposition to cool the risk of further violent unrest.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Awaiting Iranian Retaliation, Bangladesh's New Government

Muhammad Yunus (4R) on Aug. 9, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Global Elections

While Bangladesh's interim government is unlikely to make drastic changes in foreign policy, the government that emerges after new elections could seek closer ties with China and distance from India. This would delay bilateral projects with India, increase security challenges for India and lead to greater Chinese influence in the region.

After Elections, Bangladeshi Foreign Policy Will Drift in China's Favor

Snapshots

Anti-government protesters display Bangladesh's national flag as they storm Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's palace in Dhaka on Aug. 5, 2024.

The prime minister's decision to resign amid protests sets the stage for an uncertain interim government that will have to contend with a high risk of social unrest and economic challenges.

In Bangladesh, Hasina's Resignation Portends Greater Political and Economic Uncertainty

Japan

A digital illustration of the Bangladeshi flag.

After weeks of election-related unrest, the situation in Bangladesh has stabilized, which will free the government to focus on securing investment and infrastructure deals with the U.S., India, Japan and China.

As the Dust Settles at Home, Bangladesh Turns Its Attention to Foreign Policy

An Awami League campaign rally Jan. 4, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. On Jan. 7, Bangladesh will hold general elections in which the ruling Awami League will seek a fifth term under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership.

The Weekly Rundown: Bangladeshi Elections, Blinken's Latest Middle East Visit

Bangladesh is a democratic republic located in South Asia. India borders it to the north, east and west, while Bangladesh shares a narrow southeastern border with Myanmar. Rivers are the defining geographic feature of Bangladesh. The country is home to the world's largest delta, as two of South Asia's major rivers &mdash; the Ganges, known locally as the Padma, and the Brahmaputra &mdash; converge with the Meghna River to drain into the Bay of Bengal. (Bangladesh has a 580-kilometer, or 360-mile, fractured coastline.) The delta plain covers about 80 percent of the country's 147,570 square kilometers (57,000 square miles), while hilly terrain and highlands comprise the rest. Bangladesh's low-lying elevation and numerous river systems make it prone to frequent flooding. Its tropical monsoon climate aids in the cultivation of rice, the country's main crop. Historically poor, Bangladesh has shown a high and sustained economic growth rate in recent years, even as climate change looms as a long-term threat.    Before achieving independence in 1971 as a result of a war between India and Pakistan, Bangladesh was known as East Pakistan and was carved out during the Partition of 1947 from Bengal, a historical region that also includes the Indian state of West Bengal. Unlike other South Asian countries, Bangladesh is a relatively homogeneous country with 98 percent of the population speaking Bengali. Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries, and its capital, Dhaka, is among the world's most populous cities.    As a lower riparian state nearly surrounded by India, which thus comprises its most consequential international partnership, Bangladesh's primary geographic challenge is to ensure water security, while breaking out of its poverty and limiting New Delhi's dominating presence. In the long term, Bangladesh also needs help in adapting to the damaging effects of climate change. Weak boundaries have also meant that Bangladeshi migration into West Bengal and India's northeast has been a source of contention. Similarly, Rohingya migration from neighboring Myanmar into eastern Bangladesh historically has been a sore spot between Dhaka and Naypyidaw.

SITUATION REPORTS

Myanmar: Largest Earthquake in Over a Century Kills Dozens, Imperils BRI Projects

Bangladesh, China: Yunus meets with Xi, Signing 8 MoUs and Deal on Economic and Technical Cooperation

India, Bangladesh: India's Restrictions on Bangladeshi Medical Visas Create Opportunity for China

Bangladesh: Yunus To Meet With Xi for Talks on March 28

Bangladesh: Student Leader Party Says Unrest Could Challenge Upcoming Election

Bangladesh: Student Protesters Establish New Party

Bangladesh, Pakistan: Bangladesh Resumes Direct Trade With Pakistan

Bangladesh: Chittagong Court Again Rejects Bail for Prominent Hindu Leader

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