Staff Reporter :
In a renewed effort to mend diplomatic ties with India, Bangladesh’s interim government has turned to symbolic overtures, including the gifting of premium Haribhanga mangoes to key Indian leaders.
The initiative, dubbed “mango diplomacy,” comes amid a prolonged diplomatic freeze following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in mid-2024.
A consignment of 1,000 kilograms of the prized mango variety is being sent to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Monday through high commission channels.
The fruit will be distributed among officials at the Prime Minister’s Office, diplomats, and senior bureaucrats. Separate deliveries have also been dispatched to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha via the Akhaura land port.
The diplomatic overture comes as the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, seeks to normalise relations with New Delhi.
Ties have grown increasingly strained since Hasina’s departure and subsequent exile to India following mass protests and a student-led movement in 2024.
Despite Dhaka’s repeated signals of goodwill, including public statements and private letters requesting improved bilateral coordination, New Delhi has so far responded cautiously. India has significantly reduced its visa services in Dhaka since August 2024, citing administrative and staffing limitations.
This has affected thousands of Bangladeshis, including those seeking medical treatment, education, or business opportunities in India.
Additionally, Bangladesh has raised strong objections to what it describes as unilateral “push-ins” by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). Officials allege that the BSF has forcibly returned individuals across the border during the night, often without diplomatic notice or adherence to repatriation protocols.
Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain confirmed that Bangladesh has formally requested India to halt such practices. “We have communicated our concern in writing and are awaiting a constructive response,” he told reporters. “At the same time, we remain committed to strengthening our bilateral relationship with India.”
Experts in international relations argue that India’s border enforcement actions could constitute violations of international law, including the Geneva Convention on the treatment of refugees, as well as several existing Bangladesh-India agreements on cross-border cooperation.
Although cultural exchanges and symbolic gestures-such as the mango deliveries-reflect Dhaka’s intent to revive friendly ties, India’s muted response has raised questions about its current diplomatic posture. Observers note that issues such as visa denials, cross-border security actions, and stalled extradition processes continue to fuel tension, overshadowing efforts to re-establish trust.
For now, Bangladesh’s mango diplomacy stands as a hopeful yet uncertain gesture in a delicate chapter of bilateral relations. Whether this sweet offering will yield tangible results remains to be seen.
