Ajit Doval Beijing talks lead South Asia's packed diplomacy day

A wave of diplomatic, security and connectivity developments unfolded across India's neighbourhood and beyond. The updates underscored a crowded regional agenda shaped by strategy, national interest and diaspora concerns.Stock photo used for illustrationA series of developments across South Asia, China, the US and the Maldives on Sunday and Monday touched on diplomacy, security, infrastructure and the Indian diaspora. Bangladesh said it was in no hurry over Tarique Rahman's possible India visit and stressed that national interest would remain its priority, while India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is set to travel to Beijing for Special Representatives talks on the boundary issue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.In other developments, Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir is due in Tehran for talks on bilateral and regional issues, Bangladesh said it is open to a new Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkiye defence alliance if it suits its national interests, an Indian national was shot dead in New York City, and the Maldives marked a major milestone in its India-funded Thilamale Bridge project. In the US, the Indian Overseas Congress's Telangana unit criticised the denial of political clearance for Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's proposed visit, while an Indian military expert said Iran's long war planning made it difficult for the US to decimate the country.According to a media report from Dhaka, Bangladesh said there was "no rush" for Tarique Rahman to visit India. The report said Dhaka wanted a positive relationship with New Delhi, but would not compromise on its national interests.In Beijing, Ajit Doval is scheduled to arrive on Monday to take part in the India-China Special Representatives talks on the boundary issue. He will hold the talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who is also China's foreign minister. From Islamabad, Iran's foreign ministry announced that Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday. The visit is expected to focus on bilateral and regional issues and comes amid a stalemate in US-Iran peace negotiations.Also in Dhaka, two junior ministers said Bangladesh is open to joining the recently formed defence alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye. They said any decision would be guided by the country's national interests. In New York City, a 27-year-old Indian national was shot dead by an unidentified man after an altercation, according to a media report. No further details were immediately available in the report.In the Maldives, the final bridge segment linking the capital Male with Villingili island was officially set in place, marking a major milestone in the India-funded connectivity project. The development advances the Thilamale Bridge, described as the Maldives' largest infrastructure project.In the US, the Telangana chapter of the Indian Overseas Congress said it was "deep disappointment" over New Delhi's decision to deny political clearance to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for his planned trip to America.Separately in Washington, an Indian military expert said Iran had prepared for a possible war with the US for four decades, including for situations such as the loss of its top leadership. The expert said this made it difficult for its adversaries to decimate the country.Together, the developments point to a busy diplomatic and strategic moment across the region, alongside diaspora and infrastructure updates involving India and its neighbours.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 23, 2026 17:40 IST