Kamal Ghorui
The recent political transition in Bangladesh, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Tarique Rahman assuming power, has raised expectations of a renewed phase in India-Bangladesh relations after a period of strain during the preceding Yunus-led dispensation.
Rahman invited PM Modi to his oath-taking ceremony. While PM Modi unable to attend due to his scheduled overseas trip, Sri Om Birla, Speaker of the Parliament, attended the ceremony. Recently during Eid, PM Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart exchanged greetings.
Rahman in his response expressed hope that the ties between the two countries would strengthen the longstanding bonds of friendship and people-to-people relations. He had also earlier indicated that Dhaka was looking forward to closer relations, without being inhibited by the past.
Significantly, Rahman made three points. First, he emphasised the historic and long-standing ties between the two countries and underlined his government’s policy of attaching high importance to the relationship with New Delhi. Second, he underscored the need for both countries to address issues, keeping in view the interests of common people of both India and Bangladesh. Third, he mentioned his appreciation for the Indian PM’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, which forms the core element of India’s foreign policy. In this context, he expressed the hope that the leaders of the two countries can reinvigorate cooperative engagements to secure peace, harmony and stability for all people in the longest time. This is close to Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR. About a month ago, the Kolkata-Agartala bus service via Dhaka was resumed.
During Yunus’s government, a significant rise in anti-India rhetoric and strained diplomatic interactions were visible. The Yunus government repeatedly summoned the Indian High Commissioner indicating diplomatic strains. Yunus made confrontational remarks regarding the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina several times. His administration was under the influence of anti-India and pro-Pak fundamentalist factions. He was empowering them to continue in power. His actions and public comments significantly strained the relationship. Yunus was widely perceived as adopting an anti-India stance, marked by provocative rhetoric. He was not a product of the democratic process but was brought to power by a movement led by Gen Z, which was supported by the fundamentalist elements in Bangladesh. Hasina’s statement that the US wanted a base in Bangladesh, which she refused, raised suspicions of the machinations by the Deep State. This was further strengthened by Yunus’s praise of a student leader in the US for successfully leading the movement to oust Hasina.
In addition, during a March 2025 visit to China, Yunus described India’s seven Northeastern states as “completely landlocked” and positioned Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean” for the region. He suggested this area could become an “extension of the Chinese economy,” a statement India viewed as a provocation against its territorial sovereignty. He aggressively pursued closer ties with Pakistan and China. He invited top Pakistani military and intelligence officials to Dhaka, leading to concerns in New Delhi about the revival of anti-India networks along India’s eastern border. Yunus frequently targeted India for hosting deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, demanding her extradition and insisting she “keep quiet” while in India and to avoid instigating instability in Bangladesh.
He projected attacks on Hindu minorities as clashes based on personal or political rivalries. Under his administration, reports of atrocities against Hindus and other minorities increased, which Yunus initially dismissed as “exaggerated” or politically motivated.
India’s response was well-measured to effectively convey its concerns. PM Modi raised strongly concerns regarding the safety of minorities and advised Yunus to avoid shrill rhetoric that was vitiating the environment. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar countered Yunus’s “landlocked” comments by highlighting India’s own vast coastline and the Northeast’s role as a connectivity hub. India eventually ended the transhipment of Bangladeshi exports through Indian territory and temporarily closed visa application centres in several cities due to security concerns.
In contrast, it was a welcome move to see the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government under Rahman start reversing Yunus’s policies to mend ties with New Delhi. This includes removing “anti-India” officials appointed during Yunus’s 18-month rule and restoring consular ties.
Rahman’s reversal of the policy is guided by the long-standing cultural ties, India’s growing economy with a growing market, and the need to have closer ties with its immediate neighbour. He is trying to maintain pragmatic ties with New Delhi. He is maintaining a balanced approach toward India, China and the West. He understands the value of economic relations with India. Bangladesh is facing energy shortages and financial stress, needing billions in external funding.
However, the irritants remain between the two countries. The river water sharing continues to pose problems. The illegal migration forms an obstacle to normalising the ties. Though trade between the two countries is growing, the imbalance is a concern. China’s increasing influence in Bangladesh remains a concern for India.
Despite these irritants, the current approach of Rahman’s policy gives hopes of improvement in Dhaka-New Delhi ties in the coming period. Rahman enjoys public goodwill and is moving in the right direction to deal with the internal problems. He pledged a “no tolerance” approach to corruption and institutional reform. The Bangladeshis, especially youth, expect better governance and transparency. It is a new beginning after a negative government in Dhaka, that gives hope for democracy, reform and better ties.
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