Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief.

The highlights this week: Pakistan ups its engagement in the Middle East, new U.S. ambassadors to Bangladesh and India assume their posts, and a promising political candidate rises in Nepal.

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief.

The highlights this week: Pakistan ups its engagement in the Middle East, new U.S. ambassadors to Bangladesh and India assume their posts, and a promising political candidate rises in Nepal.

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Pakistan is stepping up its engagement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Last Friday, Reuters reported that Pakistan is close to finalizing a $1.5 billion weapons deal with Sudan, following reports last month of a separate $4 billion arms package with the Libyan National Army (LNA). Pakistan is also negotiating a new arms deal with longtime ally Saudi Arabia, with whom it recently inked a mutual defense treaty. There are indications that another close partner, Turkey, could soon join that pact. Furthermore, Pakistan has expressed interest in joining an international stabilization mission in Gaza.

With recent developments across the MENA region consuming global attention, Pakistan is leveraging its geographic proximity and strong ties with key states to make a case for its strategic relevance.

There are many potential motivations for Islamabad’s outreach. Interest in Gaza likely reflects a desire to strengthen ties with Washington. The arms deals—many of which center on fighter jets—aim to capitalize on the Pakistan Air Force’s impressive performance in last........

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