Thu Oct 17 02:11:05 UTC 2024: ## South Asia Brief: Jaishankar’s Historic Visit to Pakistan, Tensions with Canada, and Bangladesh’s Diplomatic Push

**Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief** reports on significant events in the region this week, including a rare visit by India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to Pakistan for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, escalating tensions between India and Canada over Sikh separatists, and a diplomatic push by Bangladesh in Washington.

**Jaishankar’s Visit to Pakistan**

Jaishankar’s trip marked the first time an Indian foreign minister has visited Pakistan since 2015, signifying India’s commitment to the SCO despite ongoing bilateral tensions. While no bilateral meetings occurred, the visit was seen as a step towards stabilizing relations after a period of heightened hostility.

**India-Canada Rift**

Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, accusing them of involvement in threats and attacks against Sikh activists. India retaliated by expelling Canadian diplomats, highlighting the deepening rift over Sikh separatism. This situation contrasts sharply with India’s cooperative approach to similar US allegations.

**Bangladesh’s Diplomatic Push**

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin met with top US officials in Washington, seeking to solidify support for the country’s interim government. This visit is part of a broader effort to secure new assistance following interim leader Muhammad Yunus’s visit to the UN General Assembly last month.

**Other Developments**

* Two Sri Lankans working with the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon were wounded in an Israeli strike, prompting a joint statement condemning attacks against peacekeepers.
* Economists and analysts offer insights on Pakistan’s economic crisis, India’s growth concerns, and the need for Bangladesh’s top university to strengthen its international partnerships.

Overall, this week’s South Asia Brief highlights a complex and dynamic region, marked by both opportunities for cooperation and underlying tensions.

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