The complexities of India–Bangladesh relations

Relations between Bangladesh and its immediate neighbour India have long been a focal point of Dhaka’s diplomacy, yet they have seldom been entirely free of tension. While periodic frictions have emerged under certain administrations, the relationship in the past fifteen years had reached unprecedented levels of closeness. However, following the political upheaval in Bangladesh on 5 August 2024, ties with New Delhi have deteriorated sharply, marking the first time since independence that bilateral relations have reached such a low point.

In the months following the upheaval, there have been repeated reports of Indian authorities pushing people back at the Bangladesh–India border, an unprecedented measure in the history of bilateral interactions. Bangladesh has consistently emphasised the importance of maintaining a “positive relationship” grounded in mutual respect, national interest, and changing regional dynamics. In September 2024, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tauhid Hossain met India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where he advocated for official-level discussions between the two countries. This led to a meeting of foreign secretaries in Dhaka in December 2024, followed by a meeting between Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BIMSTEC summit in April 2025. Despite these initiatives, relations have failed to normalise, with India indicating that it will not restore full diplomatic normalcy until a democratically elected government is in place.

Relations further soured when Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman was controversially omitted from the IPL auction. Throughout the year, Indian media outlets have engaged in a wave of negative reporting against Bangladesh, often bypassing factual verification. Simultaneously, some Bangladeshi political leaders have been accused of breaching diplomatic etiquette while criticising India.

Tensions escalated again when Sharif Osman Hadi, leader of the Inquilab Mancha, fled to India following alleged involvement in criminal incidents. Subsequent protests in Bangladesh targeting the Indian High Commission, combined with renaming a Dhaka street as “Felani Avenue” to commemorate a victim of cross-border violence, further strained bilateral relations.

Analysts note that cross-border incidents, political accusations, and attacks on Bangladesh missions in India—including in Delhi, Agartala, Siliguri, and Chittagong—have compounded mutual distrust. With the upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, observers suggest that relations are unlikely to fully normalise before a new elected government assumes office. Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, a noted international relations expert, remarked, “Routine diplomatic channels must remain functional, but meaningful improvement will require greater initiative and sincerity from India.”

Key Incidents Affecting Bangladesh–India Relations (2024–2025)

Analysts warn that without concerted efforts and timely dialogue, these tensions may continue to define Bangladesh–India relations in the near term.