Want to 'reset' ties with India, should be done through bilateral discussions: Bangladesh
2-minute summary
Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humaiun Kobir, has announced that Dhaka wishes to "reset" its bilateral relationship with India. Highlighting a desire to move past an "excessive preoccupation" with New Delhi, Kobir emphasized that future engagements should be balanced, based on mutual interests, and conducted through direct bilateral discussions rather than multilateral forums. This diplomatic shift follows the August 2024 ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who subsequently took refuge in India, causing strain between the two nations. Additionally, diplomatic friction arose when Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman declined to attend the BRICS Summit hosted by India, as the invitation was extended to him in his capacity as the BIMSTEC Chair rather than as a direct bilateral invite.
Why it's in the news
Bangladesh has formally expressed a desire to "reset" its diplomatic ties with India to establish a more balanced relationship. This announcement comes amid strained relations following the political transition in Dhaka and recent diplomatic disagreements over summit invitations.
Background and context
Historically, India-Bangladesh relations have been deeply intertwined, rooted in India's decisive role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Under the long tenure of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ties witnessed a 'Golden Chapter' (Sonali Adhyaya) marked by enhanced connectivity, trade, and security cooperation. However, her sudden ouster in August 2024 following youth-led protests, and her subsequent asylum in India, created a diplomatic vacuum and fueled anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh. The new administration under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is seeking to diversify its foreign policy, reduce perceived over-dependence on India, and address long-standing bilateral issues such as border killings, water-sharing (specifically the Teesta treaty), and political extradition.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 51 — Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) promoting international peace and security, maintaining just and honorable relations between nations, and fostering respect for treaty obligations.
- Article 253 — Empowers the Indian Parliament to make laws for implementing international treaties, agreements, and conventions, which is crucial for bilateral pacts with Bangladesh like the Land Boundary Agreement.
International organisations
- BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) — A regional organization bridging South and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh currently holds a key leadership role (Chair), which was the basis of India's invitation to the Bangladeshi PM for the BRICS summit.
- BRICS — An influential grouping of emerging economies. The nature of the invitation extended to Bangladesh's PM for the BRICS summit hosted by India became a point of diplomatic contention.
Previous UPSC questions on this theme
- Mains GS-2 2022 — Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation?
Mains practice: The political transition in Bangladesh presents both challenges and opportunities for India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Analyze the key areas of friction and suggest a roadmap for stabilizing bilateral ties.
The recent political transition in Bangladesh, marked by the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the rise of a new administration under Tarique Rahman, has necessitated a critical recalibration of India-Bangladesh relations. Dhaka's call to "reset" ties highlights a shift from a highly personalized diplomatic alignment to a more transactional, interest-based bilateral framework.
• **Key Areas of Friction**:
• *Political Asylum*: India providing refuge to deposed PM Sheikh Hasina remains a major irritant for Dhaka's new leadership, fueling domestic anti-India rhetoric.
• *Perceived Over-dependence*: The new regime's desire to move away from an "excessive preoccupation" with India indicates a push to diversify its foreign policy portfolio, potentially leaning towards other regional powers like China or the US.
• *Border Issues and Water Sharing*: Long-standing issues such as border killings by security forces and the unresolved Teesta water-sharing agreement continue to fuel domestic grievances in Bangladesh.
• *Multilateral vs Bilateral Engagement*: Diplomatic friction over summit invitations (e.g., BRICS/BIMSTEC) highlights differing expectations regarding diplomatic protocol and regional representation.
• **Roadmap for Stabilizing Ties**:
• *De-politicizing Relations*: India must transition from supporting specific political regimes to building institutional, state-to-state relations that survive political transitions.
• *Addressing Core Irritants*: Proactive engagement on water-sharing treaties and implementing a strict "zero-casualty" border management policy can rebuild trust.
• *Economic and Connectivity Integration*: Leveraging existing trade agreements (like CEPA negotiations) and physical connectivity projects to demonstrate mutual economic benefits.
• *People-to-People Diplomacy*: Enhancing educational, medical, and cultural exchanges to counter anti-India narratives at the grassroots level.
In conclusion, a stable, democratic, and friendly Bangladesh is vital for India's national security and the success of its Act East policy. India must approach the "reset" not as a setback, but as an opportunity to build a resilient, institutionalized partnership based on mutual respect and shared prosperity.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. With reference to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), consider the following statements: 1. It was established through the Bangkok Declaration. 2. All member states of BIMSTEC are geographically located around the Bay of Bengal. 3. Its permanent secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. Statement 1 is correct: BIMSTEC was established in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. Statement 2 is incorrect: Nepal and Bhutan are landlocked countries and do not border the Bay of Bengal. Statement 3 is correct: The permanent secretariat of BIMSTEC is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Q2. Which of the following Indian states share a land border with Bangladesh? 1. West Bengal 2. Assam 3. Manipur 4. Tripura 5. Meghalaya Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: B. Five Indian states share a border with Bangladesh: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Manipur does not share a border with Bangladesh (it borders Myanmar).
Q3. The 100th Constitutional Amendment Act of India is associated with which of the following?
- Introduction of 10% Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- Acquisition and transfer of territories under the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement
- Constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes
- Introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Answer: B. The 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015, gave effect to the acquisition of certain territories by India and transfer of certain other territories to Bangladesh (exchange of enclaves) in line with the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974.
Revision flashcards
- Which Indian constitutional amendment ratified the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh? The 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015.
- Which country shares the longest land border with India? Bangladesh (approximately 4,096.7 kilometers).
- Where is the headquarters of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) located? Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- What is the name of the proposed comprehensive trade agreement currently being negotiated between India and Bangladesh (as of September 2026)? Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- Name the major transboundary river flowing from India to Bangladesh that remains a key point of water-sharing dispute. The Teesta River (a major tributary of the Brahmaputra/Jamuna).