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EYE ON INDIA FEBRUARY 27, 2026 | The Indian Eye 8

A Reset in the Making?

Indian-Bangladeshi Ties Under

Tarique Rahman’s New Government

As Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister unveils a 180-day domestic agenda, early signals from
Dhaka and New Delhi point to cautious recalibration in bilateral relations.

OUR BUREAU disagreements over match venues
and broader diplomatic sensitivities,
Dhaka (Bangladesh)
underscored how quickly political
angladesh’s newly sworn-in tensions can spill into other domains.
Prime Minister Tarique Rah- That Dhaka is keen to resolve the
Bman has outlined an ambi- matter suggests an awareness of the
tious 180-day priority plan focused symbolic importance of maintaining
squarely on restoring law and order, cooperative ties with India.
controlling prices, ensuring energy At the structural level, economic
stability, improving transport connec- and connectivity projects will like-
tivity and fighting corruption. While ly define the trajectory of relations.
his first national address was domi- Over the past decade, India and Ban-
nated by domestic concerns, the con- gladesh have deepened cross-border
tours of India-Bangladesh relations infrastructure, energy trade and
under the new government are begin- transport linkages. Rahman’s do-
ning to take shape through early dip- mestic focus on improving railways
lomatic exchanges and policy signals. and public transport aligns with
Rahman’s decision to extend the Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla meets Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in Dhaka on these priorities, potentially opening
traditional 100-day roadmap to 180 Tuesday (@ombirlakota X/ANI Photo) space for continued collaboration
days reflects both the scale of chal- on cross-border rail corridors and
lenges at home and the political tran- ka and conveyed a personal invita- friendly relations with all countries. transit agreements benefiting India’s
sition underway. After a landslide tion from Prime Minister Narendra For India, the phrase signals a northeastern states.
victory in the February 12 general Modi to visit India at the earliest con- pragmatic, interest-driven approach Energy cooperation may also re-
elections, which saw the BNP-led alli- venience. In a letter, Modi extended rather than ideological alignment. It main central. Rahman has pledged to
ance secure 212 of 300 parliamentary warm wishes and underlined the po- suggests that Dhaka under the BNP ensure uninterrupted electricity and
seats, Rahman returned from years tential of the bilateral relationship. will seek balanced diplomacy, possi- gas supplies while reducing the cost
in exile to lead Bangladesh through a “As two fast-growing economies bly recalibrating certain aspects of its of living—areas where cross-border
new phase. His immediate priorities and aspiring societies, India and external engagement while avoiding power trade with India has previous-
are internal stability and economic Bangladesh can truly become cat- overt confrontation. ly played a stabilising role.
management. alysts for each other’s sustainable Sports diplomacy has already At the same time, the BNP’s re-
“Restoring peace and security growth, work for each other’s securi- emerged as an early test case. Ban- turn to power marks the end of two
in the minds of the public by elimi- ty and enable mutual prosperity,” the gladesh’s newly appointed sports decades of Awami League domi-
nating crime and strictly controlling letter read. minister, former footballer Aminul nance, introducing uncertainties.
corruption is the primary focus of our Modi also highlighted areas in- Haque, expressed eagerness to re- The exclusion of key parties like the
government’s agenda,” Rahman said cluding connectivity, trade, technolo- pair ties with India and the Board of Awami League from the recent elec-
in a national address. gy, energy, healthcare, education and Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tions and lingering political tensions
The emphasis on law and order people-to-people exchanges as pil- following diplomatic complica- mean that domestic stability cannot
is significant not only for domestic lars for enhanced cooperation. The tions that saw Bangladesh replaced be taken for granted. Any internal
politics but also for regional con- tone suggests New Delhi’s intent to by Scotland in the ICC Men’s T20 unrest could complicate bilateral en-
fidence. India, Bangladesh’s larg- preserve continuity in ties despite the World Cup 2026. gagement.
est neighbour and a key economic political shift in Dhaka. “From sports to all other sectors, Rahman’s message of inclusiv-
partner, has closely watched devel- Interestingly, Rahman himself we want to build a sincere and cordial ity—addressing citizens across reli-
opments following the political up- did not elaborate on foreign policy in relationship [with India],” Aminul gious and regional lines—will also be
heavals that culminated in the 2024 his initial address. However, Bangla- said, noting that he had met India’s closely observed in India, given sen-
uprising. Stability in Dhaka is central desh’s new Foreign Minister, Kalilur deputy high commissioner and de- sitivities surrounding minority issues.
to India’s eastern and northeastern Rahman, later articulated a guiding scribed the discussions as cordial. Whether the relationship deep-
strategic calculus. principle: “Bangladesh First.” The “We want to resolve this issue quickly ens or drifts will depend on how ef-
India moved quickly to engage formulation echoes the foreign pol- through discussions because we want fectively both sides translate early
the new leadership. Lok Sabha icy line associated with former Pres- to maintain friendly relations with all diplomatic goodwill into tangible co-
Speaker Om Birla attended Rah- ident Ziaur Rahman—prioritising our neighbouring countries.” operation during Rahman’s extend-
man’s swearing-in ceremony in Dha- national interests while maintaining The episode, which involved ed 180-day honeymoon period.

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