India is visibly worried about its relations with the post-Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh. Somehow it also seems to be lacking clarity as to how to deal with Dhaka. Hence, despite the long-awaited meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in Bangkok (April 4,2025), on the margins of the BIMSTEC summit, India has not been able to put the relationship back on track. Perhaps, New Delhi is finding it difficult to digest the new ground realties in Bangladesh. Or perhaps, there is some psychological barrier to treat its southern neighbor with respect and as an equal partner. This inevitably puts India against the people of Bangladesh.
Pakistan has never had any issue with any political party or leader of Bangladesh. Even during Sheikh Hasina’s 15 years in power, Pakistan had left no stone unturned to reach out to Dhaka
On the other hand, Pakistan has never had any issue with any political party or leader of Bangladesh. Even during Sheikh Hasina’s 15 years in power, Pakistan had left no stone unturned to reach out to Dhaka with the view to putting the bilateral relationship on a sound trajectory of bonhomie and mutual respect. Nevertheless, Sheikh Hasina’s pathological biases against Pakistan and her myopic approaches did not allow bilateral relations to flourish and expand. Ironically, she even never visited Pakistan during her long years at the helm. She remained stuck in the past. Resultantly, even bilateral institutional mechanisms like annual Foreign Office Consultations could not be held for 15 years.
Understandably, when Sheikh Hasina fled to India on 5 August 2024, reactions differed in New Delhi and Islamabad. The former found itself in a state of disbelief, not sure how to react. Since the ousted prime minister sought refuge in India, for no other country was willing to host her, this in itself became the first bone of contention with the interim government in Dhaka.
Should Dhaka succeed in getting the septuagenarian politician back, she would be tried in the International Crimes Tribunal which she had herself constituted in 2009
When India refused to extradite her to Bangladesh despite formal requests by Dhaka, the latter finally approached the Interpol for the issuance of red corner notices against her and 12 of her cabinet ministers/advisors who are accused of killing around 1000 people during the widespread protests in Bangladesh forcing her to step down and flee to India. Should Dhaka succeed in getting the septuagenarian politician back, she would be tried in the International Crimes Tribunal which she had herself constituted in 2009 to investigate and prosecute some individuals belonging to Jamaat e Islami who resisted the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
In an overweening manner, New Delhi also publicly expressed its umbrage at some isolated incidences in which Hindus in Bangladesh were targeted by the worked-up protestors. There is nothing of that sort happening now but New Delhi true to its characteristic hyperbole continues to making mountains out of molehills. The issue was also raised by Modi with Yunus in their Bangkok meeting. So much hype has been created around this issue that Dhaka could not help but express its concerns about the plight of Muslims in India.
the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act according to many Indian constitutional experts is in violation of Articles 13, 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution
India reacted strongly to a statement by Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor (Shafiqul Alam), advising him to mind his own business rather than talking about “the world’s largest democracy where minorities face no discrimination”. Doubtless, India is also good at self-deception otherwise how could one not see what treatment is being meted out to Indian Muslims including the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act according to many Indian constitutional experts is in violation of Articles 13, 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution as it would bridle the fundamental religious rights of close to 180 million Muslims in India.
India is also unhappy over Yunus’ visit to China in March this year. His remarks inviting China to invest in Bangladesh as it is “the guardian of the Bay of Bengal” and “the natural gateway to the seven landlocked northeastern states of India” drew strong Indian reaction. Besides verbal barbs, India also disallowed transshipment of Bangladeshi exports through Indian seaports and airport by using the lame reason that Indian facilities are “overcrowded”.
Reportedly, Bangladesh has also evinced interest in acquiring JF-17 Thunder light combat aircraft from Pakistan
India also does not like the way Bangladesh is cozying up to Pakistan as the two countries have decided to remove all the artificial impediments to augmenting their bilateral relations. After almost 50 years, direct trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been resumed; direct commercial air links are being established; visa procedures have been eased; and cultural and sporting ties are being enhanced. Additionally, there is mutual interest in strengthening military-to-military relations. Reportedly, Bangladesh has also evinced interest in acquiring JF-17 Thunder light combat aircraft from Pakistan. New Delhi is seeing all these developments as China’s long-term strategy to encircle India as well to destabilize its northeastern seven-sister states, namely, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
On one level, one can understand and appreciate India’s dilemma. New Delhi has still not been able to accept that Bangladesh is no longer its client state. Accordingly, it is continuing with its old machinations aimed at driving wedges especially between Islamabad and Dhaka. For instance, at the conclusion of the sixth Bangladesh-Pakistan Foreign Secretary-level consultations in Dhaka on 17 April, the Indian media went all out to create hype that Bangladesh had sought a formal apology from Pakistan for the 1971 events as well as payment of reparations and division of assets in order for the two countries to settle all the past irritants once and for all and move forward irreversibly. This was subsequently rubbished by Bangladesh.
It was India’s flawed diplomacy to count on one individual politician instead of nurturing strong people-to-people relations
On the other hand, Pakistan does not see its relations with Bangladesh through a zero-sum lens. It is Dhaka’s sovereign right to formulate its foreign policy as it deems fit. There is nothing wrong if Dhaka is moving away from Sheikh Hasina’s blinkered diplomacy. It was India’s flawed diplomacy to count on one individual politician instead of nurturing strong people-to-people relations. Therefore, it was hardly surprising to see the façade of “strong relations” collapsing immediately with the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
India must understand that bullying its neighbors is never a sound policy
Pakistan would still like to see Bangladesh fixing its problems with India as Islamabad is confident of building its own relations with Dhaka on solid foundations given the fact that there is now mutual desire to realizing this objective. Perhaps, India is waiting for elections to take place in Bangladesh and then deal with the elected government as initially New Delhi threw vibes that it was reluctant to work with the “illegitimate government” in Dhaka. Later on India had to bite the bullet as it sent its Foreign Secretary to Dhaka on 9 December 2024. At the end of the day, India must understand that bullying its neighbors is never a sound policy.
Pakistan’s foreign minister is scheduled to visit Bangladesh next week. This would be another important visit from Pakistan which may lead to an official visit by Dr. Yunus to Pakistan later this year. It bodes well that the two countries have decided to not let the bilateral relationship become hostage to what had happened in the past. Mistakes were committed but those mistakes must be remedied by positive and constructive engagement. Nothing stymies diplomacy to deliver but hubris. Months to come should bring Pakistan and Bangladesh closer ever to their mutual benefit. Eventually, the two countries may even initiate discussion on what I call the “Crescent Security Initiative (CSI)” a Muslim security alliance a la NATO.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
