Saptarshi Basak

5 days ago | indianexpress.com | Saptarshi Basak

Last week, this column focused on Pakistani media’s reaction to the much-debated Waqf Act in India. However, another major event — the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India — was missing from the Pakistani press. One week on, that silence continued. So, what has the press in India’s neighbourhood been talking about? All regional actors, especially India, are closely observing the Pakistani Foreign Secretary’s ongoing visit to Bangladesh.

1 week ago | indianexpress.com | Saptarshi Basak

Last week, this column focused on the anxiety across Pakistan after US President Donald Trump slapped a 29 per cent tariff on exporters as part of his “Liberation Day” agenda. This week, too, the dominant discourse within Pakistani and Bangladeshi media is the Trump tariff regime, especially after he rolled back the supplementary tariffs on all countries except China. But there is a lot more happening in India and the neighbourhood.

2 weeks ago | indianexpress.com | Saptarshi Basak

Donald Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” on April 2 as the US imposed what its president calls “reciprocal tariffs” on trade partners. The Pakistani media has reacted with a mix of anger and concern to the 29 per cent additional tariff levied on its exports. As an export-oriented economy — reliant on selling textiles, garments, food products like rice, and other manufactured goods — Pakistan finds itself particularly vulnerable.

3 weeks ago | indianexpress.com | Saptarshi Basak

Foreign direct investment has slowed in Bangladesh over the past few years, and the ongoing political upheaval caused by Sheikh Hasina’s ousting in August last year has arguably impacted investor confidence.

1 month ago | indianexpress.com | Saptarshi Basak

US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard’s comments on Bangladesh have sparked outrage in the country. In an interview with NDTV, she said that the persecution, killing, and abuse of minorities in Bangladesh have been longstanding issues and that the “threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is “rooted” in the “ideology and objective” of establishing an Islamic caliphate. The interim government swiftly condemned her remarks which evoked strong reactions in the Bangladeshi media as well.