Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity related to her suppression of student-led protests that ultimately contributed to her ousting in 2024. After her removal from power, a government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over, with elections scheduled for early next year. Bangladesh is seeking Hasina’s extradition, but India has not shown willingness to comply, rendering her death sentence unenforceable.
The relationship between India and Bangladesh is characterized by significant trade and cooperation, with Bangladesh being India’s largest trading partner in South Asia. In recent years, trade between the two nations reached nearly $13 billion, with India heavily influencing Bangladesh’s energy and transport sectors through concessional credits and infrastructure projects.
Political analysts note that Bangladesh’s new interim government seems to be shifting its foreign policy away from India, exhibiting signs of “de-Indianising” its diplomatic alignments. The government has begun to cancel judicial exchanges and reconsider energy deals with India while exploring partnerships with nations like China and Pakistan. This change in stance has led to changing public sentiments, with surveys indicating a growing preference among Bangladeshis for closer ties with China over India.
India faces a complex diplomatic situation: it must manage its longstanding bonds with Bangladesh while addressing rising anti-India sentiment within the country. This includes the challenge of addressing its support for Hasina during her tenure. Experts suggest that India should engage in sustained diplomatic efforts, possibly seeking to build relationships with key political stakeholders in Bangladesh, including the military, to stabilize future interactions.
The next several months may be pivotal for India-Bangladesh relations, hinging on the credibility and direction of Bangladesh’s upcoming elections. As the political climate evolves, the complexity of bilateral ties is likely to remain a challenge for both nations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c17p4z8q9zko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss