The India-Bangladesh strategic alliance began shortly after the tragedy of 1971, when the Indian-funded Mukti Bahini association, with the assistance of the Indian army, dissolved the most powerful administrative arm of Pakistan, Bangladesh. Immediately after the freedom of Bangladesh, India was the first nation to recognize the government of Mujib. Both nations availed themselves of the political instabilities in Pakistan and officially initiated the strategic cooperation to build a bilateral alliance against Pakistan in the South Asian region. Both nations in 1972 signed a Treaty of Friendship that was a 25-year pledge to reciprocally assist each other in the political, economic, and strategic circles.
The 2024 July Revolution in Bangladesh against Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime came as a bigger shock to the region’s long-standing India-Bangladesh alliance.
Right from the start, under the regime of Sheikh Hasina, both nations had made all efforts to isolate and put obstructions for Pakistan in diplomatic activities. India and Bangladesh have always attempted to restrict the role of Pakistan within the regional bodies, i.e., SAARC. In the Uri attack of 2016, the Indian government refused to attend the next SAARC summit in Pakistan, which was subsequently followed by Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.
Likewise, the Sheikh Hasina government of Bangladesh had always backed the Indian position regarding the Kashmir issue by terming the issue as India’s internal matter. Furthermore, the non-state actors based within Bangladesh who had exhibited support towards Pakistan, i.e., Ansar ul Islam, were proscribed and disbanded by the government under Indian considerations.
The economic alliance of India and Bangladesh had always kept Pakistan on the sidelines in the region. Both nations extended to $18 million of trade in 2023. Bangladesh has already opened its seaports of Mongla and Chittagong for India under the initiatives, i.e., Inland Waterways, BBIN, BIMSTEC, and the Akhaura-Agartala railway project etc. These waterways have given India the chance to connect its northeastern region with the broader Indian Ocean. This South Asian economic cooperation between the two neighboring states has never been a point of comfort for Pakistan. As a result of mutual understanding, the two states had incapacitated SAARC and initiated numerous other bilateral initiatives, i.e., BIMSTEC, to enhance their economic partnership, excluding Pakistan.
In addition, both nations have also had long-term military-to-military relationships. Since 2010, India and Bangladesh have initiated the Sampriti series of bilateral military exercises with the purpose of increasing interoperability and combat drills. Another foremost characteristic of the Indo-Bangla military alliance is the Indian naval forces’ extended reach in the Bay of Bengal. Andaman and Nicobar Islands give India a broader oceanic reach in the Indian Ocean region.
Bangladesh has joined the 2025 AMAN exercises of Pakistan.
Likewise, these Indian eastern naval commands are also a useful checkpoint on the seven-sister region, which is one of the causes of instability in India. Likewise, continuous visits of Indian warships to the Bay of Bengal are a matter of great concern for China and Pakistan. The Bay of Bengal is regarded as a secure bastion for the Indian naval fleet. Indian submarines based out of the eastern naval command, Vishakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal—enhance India’s capability to track Chinese and Pakistani naval activity along key choke points.
The 2024 July Revolution in Bangladesh against Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime came as a bigger shock to the region’s long-standing India-Bangladesh alliance. The dethroning of Sheikh Hasina from the political stage shocked the Indian administration. Bangladeshi people’s sympathy and support with Pakistan changed the overall strategic orientation of the region. Immediately after the overthrow of Hasina’s government, Pakistan and Bangladesh initiated bilateral cooperation. Presently, with the interim government of Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s foreign policy has shifted towards China and Pakistan. In April 2025, after a 15-year intense relationship, both states resume diplomatic talks.
As of April 2025, the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Amna Baloch, made a high-level visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh. In the same fashion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the UNGA session. Both countries have resumed direct shipping trade routes. The visa process has been relaxed by Bangladesh to further enhance trade and economic ties. People-to-people contacts are growing at an alarming pace. In addition, the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech) and the University of Lahore have recently launched a collaborative program to promote academic cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The initiation of Pakistan’s military-to-military contacts with Bangladesh has raised alarms in the Indian strategic thinking. The Indian effort to sustain a 15-year-long strategic relationship with Bangladesh remained unsuccessful. Analyzing the sentiments of the people, the Bangladesh establishment has made up its mind to cooperate with Pakistan.
From the grassroots level to the strategic level, Bangladesh and Pakistan now see eye to eye.
In November 2024, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Pakistan Army, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, proposed training to the soldiers of the Bangladesh Army. Additionally, the two states have decided to enhance their maritime cooperation. Bangladesh has joined the 2025 AMAN exercises of Pakistan. The interim PM of Bangladesh stated in April 2025, “Seven states of India are landlocked. Bangladesh is the only guardian of the ocean.”
The trilateral relationship between China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh has turned into a nightmare for Indian strategic thinking. The Bangladeshi government has now opened its ports, i.e., Chittagong, for Chinese developments and presence. Bilateral naval exercises between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal are a naked threat to Indian Chicken’s neck corridor.
The Indian government had always attempted to reduce the reach and power of both China and Pakistan in the Bay of Bengal. Now, both states are collaborating in the defense sector without any external pressure. Furthermore, Bangladesh is also eager to purchase Chinese and Pakistani military technology and equipment.
The new post-Hasina Bangladesh has no place for pro-BJP or pro-Indian sentiments. From the grassroots level to the strategic level, Bangladesh and Pakistan now see eye to eye. India has lost its key ally in the South Asian region, which had assisted it in keeping both China and Pakistan at bay in the Indian waters.
The Bangladeshi government has now opened its ports, i.e., Chittagong, for Chinese developments and presence.
Considering it as India’s critical nerve, Pakistan should further strengthen its relations with Bangladesh through all forms of cooperation. The religious and historical connection between Pakistan and Bangladesh is a most important component of upholding bilateral relations. Learning from past follies, Pakistan and Bangladesh could counter the continually increasing hegemonic and big brother attitude of India in the Indian Ocean region.
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.
