Friendship yes, but on equal footing

India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, has begun his tenure in Dhaka with a message of partnership and regional cooperation, but his arrival comes amid continuing border tensions and growing calls within Bangladesh for a foreign policy firmly anchored in national interests and sovereignty.

Crossing into Bangladesh through the Benapole land port on Friday, Trivedi, a veteran politician and former Indian railway minister, emphasised the deep
historical, cultural and democratic bonds between the two neighbouring countries.

“We have 1.4 billion people, and if you add 200 million, that becomes 1.6 billion.

Whatever happens, happens together,” he told reporters, arguing that the destinies of the two countries remain closely intertwined.

Rejecting the description of India as a dominant regional power, Trivedi instead advocated a relationship based on partnership and shared interests. Referring to the common heritage of the two nations, he remarked: “Same sky, same air, and the same pain.”

When asked about allegations of “push-ins” – the reported forcible movement of individuals across the border into Bangladesh – the envoy-designate called for trust, dialogue and sustained engagement to address sensitive frontier issues.

His comments, however, have been received against a backdrop of persistent concerns over border management and a growing debate within Bangladesh over the need to pursue a foreign policy guided primarily by national interests.

The 57th Border Conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF), which concluded in New Delhi on Friday, ended without any major breakthrough on longstanding disputes, particularly border killings and alleged push-in incidents.

While both sides agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing and maintain communication, Bangladeshi officials reportedly expressed deep concern over the continued use of lethal force against Bangladeshi nationals and the recurrence of alleged push-in attempts along sections of the frontier.

In recent days, Border Guard Bangladesh personnel reported preventing several alleged push-in attempts, including incidents in Chuadanga’s Darshana border area and Kurigram district.

Bangladeshi authorities said groups of Bengali-speaking individuals, including women and children, were brought close to the border, prompting security responses.

Indian authorities have not publicly commented in detail on the latest allegations.

The unresolved border issues have added to broader strains in bilateral relations, which have faced challenges since the political changes that followed Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising.

Against this backdrop, discussion has intensified in Dhaka over what policymakers and analysts increasingly describe as a “Bangladesh First” approach to foreign relations – one that prioritises national sovereignty, mutual respect and reciprocity in dealings with all regional and global partners.

Political parties and civil society groups have used the continuing border incidents to press for a firmer diplomatic stance.

Several opposition leaders have argued that border killings and alleged push-ins are not merely humanitarian concerns but also matters directly linked to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and national dignity.

The debate gained further momentum following public discussion of Trivedi’s remarks on the close relationship between the two countries.

Some political leaders sought clarification regarding suggestions that Bangladesh and India could function as a single influential bloc, stressing that bilateral cooperation must be founded on equality and respect for each country’s independent national interests.

Senior government figures have echoed similar themes in recent days.

Speaking at a discussion programme in Dhaka on Saturday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon cautioned against efforts to promote what he described as “artificial regional narratives” that bypass broader South Asian cooperation.

“If any attempt is made to create an artificial regional narrative by relying on any force other than uniting the 2.2 billion people of SAARC, it will be viewed with suspicion,” he said.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir also emphasised that Bangladesh remains committed to constructive engagement with India, but only on the basis of mutual respect and equality.

“We want cooperation with India, but it must be based on mutual respect. We should have a good working relationship with India,” he said at a conference in Dhaka on Saturday.

Diplomatic observers note that Trivedi’s appointment reflects New Delhi’s desire to rebuild and strengthen engagement with Bangladesh’s current leadership.

A fluent Bengali speaker with extensive political experience, he is widely viewed as a more political and hands-on envoy than many of his predecessors.

Analysts say his success will depend not only on expanding economic and political cooperation but also on addressing issues that have become increasingly sensitive in Bangladesh, including border management, security concerns and perceptions of unequal treatment.

As the new High Commissioner begins his assignment, both countries appear keen to preserve a cooperative relationship.

Yet the message emerging from Dhaka is that future engagement will increasingly be judged through the lens of Bangladesh’s national interests, sovereignty and the principle of mutual respect.

In that sense, while Trivedi’s vision of deeper partnership may find support, the prevailing expectation in Bangladesh is that stronger ties must evolve within a framework that places Bangladesh’s interests first.