Hasina's Reckoning

The recent revelations surrounding former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mark a dark and defining chapter in the political evolution of South Asia.

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India and China, despite their long and turbulent history, appear to be inching towards a fragile thaw – one shaped more by necessity than mutual goodwill. The recent flurry of diplomatic engagements, ranging from ministerial visits to the revival of direct flights and pilgrimages, may signal a tactical reset. But beneath this surface calm lies a complex web of distrust, unresolved territorial disputes, and strategic recalibrations influenced by shifting global dynamics. At the core of the Indo-China friction remains the undemarcated 3,440-kilometer border, where geography and ambiguity often combine to produce flashpoints. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash shattered decades of carefully managed peace and altered the tenor of bilateral ties. While both nations have since engaged in military and diplomatic dialogue to defuse tensions in Ladakh, the shadow of conflict has not entirely lifted. China's continuing claims over Arunachal Pradesh and its military posturing along the Line of Actual Control remain serious concerns for Delhi. Yet, the external environment is compelling both sides to seek a degree of stability. Beijing, increasingly focused on Taiwan and its own slowing economy, cannot afford a second front in the Himalayas. For India, the uncertainty in the West – particularly Washington's unpredictable approach in President Donald Trump's second term – is a wake-up call. The erosion of faith in a steadfast US partnership, underscored by Mr. Trump's controversial overtures to Pakistan during recent border tensions, has forced Delhi to diversify its strategic options. Economic interdependence also weighs heavily. China is India's second-largest trading partner, supplying critical components like rare earth magnets and fertilizers. With China tightening export controls on such goods, the vulnerabilities in India's industria