Bangladesh First in India ties
Bangladesh’s ‘Bangladesh First’ foreign policy is shaping its approach to India, with Dhaka seeking to maintain a positive and effective relationship with its neighbour while making clear that any high-level engagement must be guided by national interests.
The government has not ruled out Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visiting New Delhi, but officials say the visit will depend on progress in bilateral discussions and the creation of a conducive environment for engagement.
The position was reiterated by newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Saturday, amid renewed uncertainty over reports that the Prime Minister could visit New Delhi between August 23 and 25. “We want a positive relationship with India.
Why would we not? They are our neighbour. We should have an effective relationship,” Kobir told journalists after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.
“But when it comes to our national interests, we cannot compromise with any country, not just India,” he said.
Kobir stressed that there was no urgency over the Prime Minister’s possible visit, saying Dhaka wanted substantive progress on outstanding issues before a summit-level meeting.
“Let there be some progress. We will certainly go on the basis of discussions and our national interests when the time is appropriate,” he said.
“If we can reach a consensus on the basis of national interests by tomorrow, then we can go next week. Or we can go the week after.
There is no hurry,” he added. The state minister said a prime ministerial visit required adequate preparation and diplomatic groundwork rather than being arranged abruptly.
“There are issues to discuss and groundwork to be done. A prime minister to prime minister visit cannot just happen suddenly.
It is not a game,” Kobir said.
He added that the two governments needed to establish the necessary basis before their leaders met.
Hasina issue remains sensitive
The return of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains one of the key issues in Bangladesh’s engagement with India.
Kobir said Hasina fled to India following the fall of her government in August 2024 and alleged that she was responsible for the deaths of around 1,500 people during the crackdown on the movement that ultimately ousted her.
He said Hasina was not the only fugitive from Bangladesh in India, with other people accused of crimes also having taken shelter there.
“This is a natural demand of the people of Bangladesh and reflects their sentiments,” Kobir said, indicating that the issue would remain part of Dhaka’s engagement with New Delhi.
Bangladesh and India already have an extradition treaty, he noted, meaning the matter did not require a new mechanism or new conditions.
“These are ongoing issues,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Foreign Ministry said a conducive environment needed to be created for Tarique Rahman’s proposed India visit and urged New Delhi to act expeditiously on Dhaka’s extradition requests.
Visit uncertainty persists
Uncertainty over the Prime Minister’s possible visit intensified on Friday after India’s Rashtrapati Bhavan withdrew a notice that appeared to suggest preparations for a ceremonial welcome for the Bangladeshi leader.
The notice had said the regular Change of Guard ceremony at the presidential palace on August 22 would not take place because of a full rehearsal for the ceremonial welcome of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. It was later withdrawn without an official explanation.
Indian media had earlier reported that Tarique Rahman could travel to New Delhi from August 23 to 25. Dhaka, however, said no final decision had been taken.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also declined to comment on the possible visit, saying any progress would be communicated.
The potential visit comes amid strained Bangladesh-India relations since the political upheaval that led to Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
Dhaka has been pressing New Delhi to return Hasina, as well as other fugitives, while seeking progress on a range of bilateral concerns.
Broader bilateral agenda
The political dispute surrounding Hasina is only one element of the wider Bangladesh-India relationship.
The two neighbours also have a range of longstanding issues, including the sharing of transboundary river waters, border killings, bilateral trade and energy cooperation.
Bangladesh is currently facing energy and power shortages and is exploring various options to strengthen its energy security.
The Foreign Ministry recently wrote to the Energy Ministry seeking inputs on nine Bangladesh-India bilateral issues, including power purchases, the Rampal power plant, hydropower imports from Nepal and Bhutan, electricity connectivity and updates on relevant ongoing projects.
Dhaka has repeatedly stressed that it wants an effective relationship with New Delhi because of the breadth of the bilateral agenda.
Kobir said recent statements from India suggested signs of a more positive approach.
“There are indications of a positive attitude and goodwill from their side as well,” he said.
He said India had also recognised the sensitivity surrounding Hasina’s recent public appearance and acknowledged that it had hurt sentiments in Bangladesh.
Hasina held a press conference on August 5, two years after fleeing Bangladesh, in which she made political statements concerning Bangladesh and called for restrictions on her Awami League party to be lifted.
Dhaka subsequently criticised the appearance, saying it had hurt the sentiments of Bangladeshis and challenged the country’s sovereignty.
The episode has since complicated discussions surrounding Tarique Rahman’s possible visit.
Kobir described India’s acknowledgement of the sensitivity of the issue as “a good beginning”.
“Now we will see whether there is some progress in the remaining discussions. On the basis of discussions and our national interests, we will certainly visit India when the time is appropriate,” he said.
The state minister’s comments indicate that Dhaka wants to keep diplomatic channels with New Delhi open while making clear that a high-level visit will be determined by progress on broader bilateral discussions and Bangladesh’s national interests.
The two countries remain closely linked by geography, trade, security and other areas of cooperation.
However, relations have faced considerable strain since the political upheaval of August 2024, with the extradition of Hasina emerging as one of the most sensitive issues alongside longstanding bilateral concerns.
