Recent developments in South Asia, particularly the uprising in Bangladesh, are reshaping regional dynamics with global implications. With a population of 1.94 billion, South Asia faces challenges like extremism and political instability. Bangladesh’s strategic location in the Bay of Bengal adds significance to the region’s turmoil.
April saw massive protests in Nepal, leading to a coalition government amidst demands for monarchy restoration. Meanwhile, Bangladesh experienced bloody regime change due to student protests over job quotas escalating with extremist involvement.
The outlook for democracy in South Asia is bleak, with authoritarianism on the rise. The US-China rivalry in the region impacts India, set to be the third-largest economy by 2028. Bangladesh’s foreign policy choices, notably with China, have strained relations with the US.
China’s growing influence in South Asia through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative concerns India’s soft power. The US is actively countering China’s influence in the region, shaping strategic alliances to maintain hegemony.
The evolving geopolitical landscape in South Asia presents opportunities and challenges for major powers, with far-reaching global consequences.
Sagina Walyat, a constitutional lawyer based in India, is an AsiaGlobal Fellow at the University of Hong Kong
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