Hasina Still Haunts India-Bangladesh Ties

India-Bangladesh ties are entering a new phase, but according to Prothom Alo diplomatic correspondent Raheed Ejaz, the biggest challenge facing both countries is rebuilding trust after Bangladesh’s political transition.

Speaking to StratNews Global, Ejaz argued that relations between Dhaka and New Delhi cannot be understood without considering the dramatic political changes that began in August 2024. In his view, many Bangladeshis believe India has yet to fully adapt to Bangladesh’s new political reality. This, he said, has created a trust gap that continues to influence bilateral relations.

Ejaz described the deterioration in relations during the interim government period as unprecedented in his more than two decades covering diplomacy. Yet he also pointed to recent developments that suggest both sides are trying to move forward. These include the attendance of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at Bangladesh’s government formation ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and subsequent meetings between senior officials from both countries.

But despite these gestures, he noted that progress has been slower than many had hoped.

The second major issue, according to Ejaz, is the continued presence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India. He argued that her stay in Delhi remains a significant obstacle to normalising ties. Statements and interviews given by Hasina from India continue to generate debate inside Bangladesh and raise questions about whether bilateral relations are truly moving into a new phase. Rather than avoiding the issue, Ejaz said it should be addressed through diplomatic and legal channels.

A third area of concern involves issues that directly affect ordinary citizens. Ejaz highlighted visas, connectivity, trade restrictions, border management and water-sharing arrangements as matters requiring urgent attention. He stressed that barriers imposed by either side ultimately hurt people and should be removed wherever possible. He also pointed to the impending expiry of the Ganges Water Treaty in December, arguing that negotiations should begin soon and should reflect changing climatic conditions and updated hydrological data.

On trade, Ejaz acknowledged that restrictions imposed during the interim government period remain in place, but noted that commercial exchanges continue. He cited ongoing procurement of railway coaches from India as evidence that economic cooperation has not stopped despite political tensions. At the same time, he argued that restrictions affecting trade and travel should be withdrawn to help restore confidence.

Addressing concerns about Bangladesh’s outreach to Pakistan, Ejaz rejected suggestions that Dhaka has forgotten the events of 1971. He noted that Bangladesh continues to seek a formal apology from Islamabad and regularly raises the issue in official discussions. Expanding relations with Pakistan, he argued, does not erase Bangladesh’s historical position on the genocide.

Ejaz also pushed back against claims that Bangladesh is experiencing a major surge in fundamentalism. He suggested that what many observers are seeing is the greater visibility of political viewpoints that were previously suppressed. Bangladesh, he said, remains committed to combating extremism and has firsthand experience of the dangers posed by terrorism.

One area where he saw little room for disagreement was the role of social media. Ejaz argued that misinformation, inflammatory content and manipulated narratives have aggravated tensions between the two countries since August 2024. Both governments, he said, should learn from that experience and work to reduce the impact of disinformation on bilateral relations.

Asked what India should prioritise if it wants to improve relations with Bangladesh, Ejaz returned to his central argument. Relations, he said, must be based on mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual interest. In practical terms, he identified visas as the most immediate issue, followed by water-sharing arrangements. Progress on both, he suggested, could help restore confidence and place the relationship on a firmer footing.