logo
Will Bangladesh veer from its India-China middle path?

Will Bangladesh veer from its India-China middle path?

Published: 5:30pm, 1 Aug 2025 When a Bangladesh air force jet slammed into a school on July 21, killing 31 people, India was the first country to respond – dispatching a team of specialist doctors, nurses and emergency medical equipment. Their swift arrival earned public praise from the head of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus , and sparked cautious optimism that a thaw may be possible after months of strained ties between the neighbours.
'These teams have come not just with their skills, but with their hearts,' Yunus said. 'Their presence reaffirms our shared humanity and the value of global partnerships in times of tragedy.'
The gesture was widely seen as a reaffirmation of the enduring ties between India and Bangladesh – ties that have frayed in recent months amid shifting political winds in Dhaka and rising Indian unease over the interim government's perceived tilt towards China.
04:32
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into school, killing at least 27, mostly children Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into school, killing at least 27, mostly children Since the ousting of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising in August last year, the Yunus administration has sought to recalibrate its foreign relations, prompting speculation over Beijing's growing influence just across India's eastern border.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ukraine war: Trump threatens India with higher tariffs over Russian oil
Ukraine war: Trump threatens India with higher tariffs over Russian oil

South China Morning Post

time2 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Ukraine war: Trump threatens India with higher tariffs over Russian oil

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would substantially raise tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil. 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,' Trump said in a social media post. 'Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.' He did not elaborate on what the tariff would be. India's trade ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last week, Trump said he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from India and added that the world's fifth-largest economy would also face an unspecified penalty but gave no details.

Trump threatens India with ‘substantially' higher tariffs over Russian oil amid Ukraine war
Trump threatens India with ‘substantially' higher tariffs over Russian oil amid Ukraine war

South China Morning Post

time3 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Trump threatens India with ‘substantially' higher tariffs over Russian oil amid Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would substantially raise tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil. 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,' Trump said in a social media post. 'Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.' He did not elaborate on what the tariff would be. India's trade ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last week, Trump said he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from India and added that the world's fifth-largest economy would also face an unspecified penalty but gave no details.

Singapore opposition leader Pritam Singh defends parliament over tame debates
Singapore opposition leader Pritam Singh defends parliament over tame debates

South China Morning Post

time5 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Singapore opposition leader Pritam Singh defends parliament over tame debates

Singapore 's parliamentary debates may lack the fireworks seen in other legislatures, but that reflects the city state's pragmatic culture, according to opposition leader Pritam Singh. In his first-ever radio interview, the Workers' Party (WP) chief said the tone of debate mirrored the national character – serious, results-oriented and not prone to theatrics. 'When you come in from that perspective, you're really not there to throw things around, but you want to see certain outcomes,' Singh said on Monday during an appearance on Kiss92's morning show. 'Like society, we're all quite pragmatic, so we want the thing to work … and part of making the thing work is to make sure that you have a real debate in terms of real issues being brought up, and there being an exchange.' Singh was responding to co-hosts Glenn Ong and Angelique Teo, who noted that parliamentary sessions in Britain and Taiwan were often rowdy and contrasted that with Singapore's more subdued proceedings.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store