India's Diplomatic Week: Bangladesh, Iran and Regional Ties in Focus

In mid-August 2026, India is preparing for several diplomatic visits. Bangladesh's Prime Minister is likely to travel to India next week, her first trip since taking office, as Dhaka presses for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina. Iran's president Pezeshkian is also expected in India for a BRICS summit, amid tensions in the Middle East. India and Saudi Arabia are described in one headline as pursuing a partnership for peace and prosperity.

At the same time, a dispute over foreign policy has drawn attention at home. Rahul Gandhi's remarks, described in one headline as a "hug dig" at the government's foreign policy, drew widespread criticism. A separate commentary argues India should avoid treating the Mecca alliance as a single bloc, while data on how India and Pakistan view each other points to deep mutual animosity.