South Asia in September 2026: the most important developments in politics
In September 2026, South Asia's political news was led by Sri Lanka, with further items from Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. In Sri Lanka, MPs Namal Rajapaksa and Johnston Fernando faced bribery charges, and Fernando appeared before the Bribery Commission on September 4. The Supreme Court invalidated a presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thera, and the opposition called for the arrest of businessman Nimal Perera. Three judges faced a bribery complaint over the X-Press Pearl case, and the UN rights chief called for action to end the country's "long legacy of impunity". Sri Lanka and Thailand were to sign labour agreements, with Thailand approving a framework for 10,000 Sri Lankan workers, and Sri Lanka and India moved to finalize an agreement on developing Kankesanthurai Port.
In Bangladesh, the prime minister declined to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi, which officials described as a new diplomatic approach, and a spokesman said Bangladesh was not invited. Sheikh Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed resigned as a WHO regional head amid fraud allegations.
Thailand shortened visa-free stays for citizens of 60 countries from 60 to 30 days on September 3 and also cut the stay for European Union travellers. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar's military head visited Vietnam and the two agreed to deepen defence ties, Malaysia declared a state of emergency in Sarawak's Serian District over haze, and Singapore's ministers' pay was set to rise by up to 9%. China and the Philippines exchanged sharp words over the South China Sea, and Malaysia's Pardons Board was to meet on September 11 with early release for Najib on the agenda.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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