- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sat, 31 Jan 2026 07:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India’s neighbourhood has seen a flurry of diplomatic, political and security developments this week, stretching from Pakistan in the west to China in the east. From evolving ties and internal shifts in Islamabad to Beijing’s regional manoeuvres and their ripple effects across South Asia, these developments carry implications for India’s strategic, economic and foreign policy interests. Here is a snapshot of the key events and trends shaping the regional landscape this week.
Pakistan
Pakistan saw mixed political, diplomatic and cultural developments, with PM Shehbaz Sharif criticising reliance on foreign loans, direct flights with Bangladesh resuming after 14 years, reports of a Hamas visit raising security concerns, the historic Loh Temple at Lahore Fort reopening, and harsh 17-year jail terms for lawyers over anti-state social media posts.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh signed a defence deal with China to jointly build a UAV manufacturing facility with CETC.
Former Dhaka police chief Habibur Rahman and two officers were sentenced to death for their role in the 2024 protests that ousted Sheikh Hasina.
China
China has launched an investigation into top general Zhang Youxia, a Politburo member and Xi Jinping ally, marking a dramatic escalation in Xi’s military anti-corruption campaign. The Defence Ministry confirmed Zhang and another senior general, Liu Zhenli, are under investigation for “suspected serious violations of discipline and law,” signalling that even long-standing alliances no longer guarantee safety within the PLA hierarchy.
Afghanistan
The Taliban has introduced a new Criminal Procedure Code in Afghanistan, formalising a class-based justice system that grants husbands and slave masters authority to punish women and servants, and restricts women’s movements without male permission.
The 119-article code has sparked international outrage and human rights concerns, as it allows beatings of wives and children under certain limits and legalises social hierarchies within the justice system.
Nepal
The Nepal–India Chamber of Commerce & Industry, with Nepal Tourism Board and Buddha Air, held the “Nepal Varanasi Roadshow” to promote pilgrimage and tourism, highlighting sacred Shiva, Buddhist, and Sikh circuits linking Nepal and India.
China plans to boost investments in Nepal’s hydropower sector, leveraging untapped resources and potential power exports to India, with Nepal already part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
(Note: This article is part of Neighbourhoodwatch series. To read more such articles, click here)