Bangladesh's Political Transition: Implications for India's Neighbourhood Policy

Livemint - Politics · 25 Feb 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · International relations Mains · GS2 International relations High relevance

Tarique Rahman of BNP takes office as Bangladesh's new PM, marking a significant shift from Awami League's rule and presenting challenges for India-Bangladesh relations amid rising Chinese influence.

Key points

Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will be sworn in as Bangladesh's new PM after securing 212 of 300 parliamentary seats, with Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) winning 77 seats.

This marks the first time since 1971 that the Awami League is excluded from power, following Sheikh Hasina's ouster in 2024 and subsequent party ban after student protests.

India-Bangladesh relations deteriorated under interim PM Mohammed Yunus, with tensions over India sheltering Hasina, attacks on Hindu minorities, and Yunus's remarks on India's northeast.

[GS3-Security] Bangladesh's revival of a WWII-era airbase near India's Siliguri Corridor with Chinese assistance raises strategic concerns about Dhaka's alignment with Beijing.

India's Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will attend the swearing-in, signaling Delhi's intent to engage despite the BNP's historically cooler stance toward India compared to Awami League.

PM Modi's early congratulation to Rahman indicates India's willingness to reset ties, focusing on economic cooperation through BBIN and BIMSTEC frameworks.

[GS2-Governance] The transition connects to India's neighbourhood policy challenges, testing Delhi's ability to maintain influence amid China's growing footprint in South Asia.

Way Forward: India should prioritize economic diplomacy by lifting land port embargoes, easing visa restrictions, and reviving BBIN connectivity projects while addressing Bangladesh's concerns about trade imbalances.

Key terms

Golden Chapter (Shonali Adhyay)

Refers to the 2009-2024 period of strengthened India-Bangladesh ties under Sheikh Hasina, marked by landmark agreements on land boundaries, maritime delimitation, and connectivity projects that transformed bilateral relations.

Siliguri Corridor

A 22-km wide stretch connecting mainland India to its northeastern states, strategically vital for military logistics and countering insurgencies. Its vulnerability makes India sensitive to Chinese infrastructure projects in neighbouring regions like Bangladesh.

BBIN Initiative

The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement aims to facilitate seamless cross-border movement of passenger and cargo vehicles. Stalled since 2015 due to Bhutan's reservations, its revival could boost sub-regional trade and counter China's Belt and Road influence.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI)

A Islamist political party in Bangladesh with historical ties to Pakistan, banned until 2024 for opposing Bangladesh's liberation. Its electoral gains signal potential regression on secularism and pose challenges for India given JeI's anti-India stance.