10 MARCH 2026, TUESDAY

Bangladesh: Dhaka and London discuss trade and Investment cooperation
On 10 March, Dhaka Tribune reported that Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Adviser Humayun Kabir held a bilateral meeting with Chris Bryant, the UK Minister of State for Trade, in London to explore ways to strengthen trade and investment ties between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. Discussions covered expanding the “Made in Bangladesh” brand, unlocking investment in the blue economy, safeguarding investor interests, and enhancing cooperation in education and multilateral platforms. Both sides also agreed to maintain close coordination ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, scheduled for Cameroon later this month. During the visit, the delegation also met UK Trade Envoy Rosie Winterton to discuss cooperation in the aviation sector, while Dapo Akande presented his candidacy for judge at the International Court of Justice for the 2027–2036 term. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in international legal and diplomatic arenas.

Myanmar: Conflict fuels drug surge in Golden Triangle region
On 10 March, Irrawaddy reported that the escalating civil war in Myanmar has fuelled a surge in drug production and trafficking across the Golden Triangle, worsening addiction and social hardship in northern Thailand. The region, once the world’s largest opium hub during the conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s, has seen renewed drug activity since the 2021 Myanmar military coup triggered ongoing conflict. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, opium cultivation and methamphetamine production in Myanmar have sharply increased, with drugs being smuggled through Thailand toward international markets. Research by Chiang Mai University indicates that hard-drug use in Thailand’s eight northern provinces has more than tripled since 2019, affecting vulnerable communities such as the Lahu hill tribe. Limited economic opportunities and language barriers have pushed some residents into drug-related work, while local organizations and community groups attempt to steer young people away from trafficking and addiction.

Sri Lanka: Flights re-route to Europe
On 10 March, the Daily Mirror reported that SriLankan Airlines has adapted its flight routes via Afghanistan and Azerbaijan to its European destinations amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. This leads to longer travel paths and operational adjustments. The decision also reflects potential economic implications for Sri Lanka's tourism and aviation sectors. Route changes such as this often increase fuel cost and travel time, affecting airline profitability. It also highlights Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to disruptions in major transit corridors that link Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.

Afghanistan: US designates Afghanistan as a sponsor of wrongful detention
On 10 March, CNN reported that in a move targeted at preventing abduction of American citizens, the Trump administration in Washington has attributed Kabul as a sponsor of wrongful detention. This is the second such attribution; the first was given to Iran, days ahead of the ongoing war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the Taliban has used terrorist tactics to engage in the kidnapping of several individuals. He termed the tactics as “despicable” and demanded their end. Further, Rubio strongly recommended that Americans avoid travel to Afghanistan. Analysts now expect travel restrictions in the region of Afghanistan to be the next probable decision.

Iran: US Defence Secretary claims the most intense days of the strike
On 10 March, the CNN reported that the war between the US, Israel, and Iran has extended to yet another day. Comments from Pete Hegseth, the US Defence Secretary, have noted that Iran will be hit “harder than ever” if it does anything to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. The US Air Force General, on the other hand, claimed that more than 50 Iranian ships have been destroyed in the attack. There has been a lot of discussion regarding Trump’s decision on when the war could end. The war has been unpopular amongst American leaders and could possibly have affected Trump’s upcoming election campaign. Meanwhile, the UAE stated that it had detected and intercepted about eight missiles and 26 drones over the past day.

Pakistan: Provinces announce austerity measures amid fuel crisis
On 10 March, Dawn reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces decided to close educational institutions as part of a fuel-saving initiative. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet approved the “Fuel Conservation and Responsible Governance Initiative”. Under this initiative, the government decided to reduce the fuel allowance for government vehicles by 25 per cent. However, the reduction would not apply to police, rescue, and law enforcement personnel. Other measures include a 50 per cent work-from-home policy for government departments, and the closure of educational institutions every Friday. Punjab's provincial government also took several measures amid the fuel crisis. The government decided that provincial ministers would not receive free petrol until the end of the “petroleum crisis” and that petrol and diesel allowances for official vehicles would also be reduced by 50 per cent. Moreover, educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, would remain closed from 10 March to 31 March. The Balochistan government also decided to close educational institutions till 23 March.

Pakistan: Islamabad’s arms imports increase by 66 per cent in the 2021-25 period
On 10 March, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s arms imports grew by 66 per cent in the 2021-25 period compared with 2016-20, as per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) data. On a global level, transfers of major arms surged by nearly 10 per cent over the past five years.  In the case of Pakistan, China’s role as top arms provider increased from 73 per cent in the previous 2016-20 period. While Pakistan’s imports soared, India remained the world’s second-largest arms importer, despite a marginal four per cent decrease. India has diversified its suppliers, turning increasingly to Western nations. Arms imports by states in the Middle East also shrank by 13 per cent, yet the region was home to three of the world’s top ten importers: Saudi Arabia with 6.8 per cent of global imports, Qatar with 6.4 per cent, and Kuwait with 2.8 per cent. The US supplied more than half of the arms to the Middle East.