M. Burhanuddin Qasmi
India stands at a pivotal moment in its foreign policy, especially in its relations with neighbouring countries. Among them, Bangladesh occupies a uniquely sensitive and strategically significant position. Built on deep historical, cultural, and emotional ties, this partnership now requires careful recalibration, shifting from personality-centric diplomacy toward genuine people-to-people engagement.
India’s sustained and visible support for political figures such as Sheikh Hasina and Taslima Nasreen has increasingly been perceived by sections of Bangladeshi society as indifferent to domestic sentiment. Diplomacy that overlooks public opinion in neighbouring countries risks alienating the population rather than strengthening bilateral bonds. A mature regional power must remain attentive not only to governments but also to the aspirations and emotions of ordinary citizens across borders.
Bangladesh today has a democratically elected government with a strong mandate. Mr. Tariq Rahman is poised to assume national leadership, and India’s leadership has formally acknowledged the electoral outcome. Recognising democratic transitions in neighbouring states strengthens trust and credibility.
Geography is destiny. Nations cannot change their neighbours. What they can change is the tone and substance of engagement. Going forward, India–Bangladesh relations must be anchored in mutual respect, non-interference, and shared economic and security interests.
It would be strategically unwise for India to find itself surrounded by strained or adversarial ties. Persistent tensions along the borders with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka keep the country in a constant state of alert. Such conditions stretch defence resources and hinder economic growth, regional connectivity, and the broader vision of peaceful coexistence. Development cannot flourish in an atmosphere of sustained suspicion and hostility.
The global context further complicates India’s diplomatic balancing. Shifting alignments among major powers, trade disputes, and unpredictable geopolitical turns underscore the risks of overdependence on external actors for strategic equilibrium.
Despite these challenges, opportunities remain. Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan have historically maintained cooperative relations with India and may draw closer again if New Delhi moderates hostile domestic rhetoric and approaches its neighbours with sincerity and humility. Controversies involving public commentary or avoidable cultural disputes only serve to strain bilateral ties unnecessarily.
Regional leadership cannot be sustained through dominance alone. It requires trust, empathy, and consistency. India has long been regarded as a leading voice of the Non-Aligned world, respected for its independent outlook and balanced diplomacy. Preserving that stature is essential not only for India’s global standing but also for the long-term stability of South Asia. A recalibrated neighbourhood policy, rooted in respect and realism, is now a strategic necessity.
M. Burhanuddin Qasmi is Editor of Eastern Crescent, Mumbai.