Discover the most recent developments about India-Bangladesh relations in 2025, including the Sheikh Hasina extradition issue and the security implications of the approaching elections in 2026.
The Changing Structure of Bilateral Relations between Bangladesh and India in 2026
Bangladesh and India
The shared history, cultural and linguistic linkages, and similar legacy serve as the foundation for India’s diplomatic endeavours in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s significance to India
▪ Northeast development
▪ North East and Eastern India connectivity
▪ China’s geopolitical location
▪ Bay of Bengal influence
India’s importance Relations with Bangladesh
Geopolitical importance ▪ North East security
▪ bridge to Southeast Asia
▪ countering the China factor
▪ Bangladesh’s role in BIMSTEC and BBIN
▪ bolstering South Asia as a regional power
▪ protecting sea lines of communication
▪ combating terrorism and deradicalisation
Economic importance
▪ Investment opportunities: Indian FDI in Bangladesh
▪ Trade relations: Bangladesh is India’s largest South Asian trading partner
▪ Connectivity: Through the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT),BBIN Road
▪ Defence: Bangladesh is now India’s largest development partner via the defence cooperation framework treaty. In eight years, India has granted it three Lines of Credit (LOCs).
Cooperation Areas
▪ Energy
▫ India supports Bangladesh’s first nuclear project, the Rooppur Nuclear Project.
▫ India exports 660 MW of power to Bangladesh every day.
▫ The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project is being built to transport oil between Siliguri, India, and Parbatipur, Bangladesh.
Connectivity
▫ Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol (PIWTT)
▫ Bangladeshi rail projects
Train, bus, and ship transportation between India and Bangladesh Trade Decrease in immigration and customs paperwork Integrated checkpoints Defence India is supplying military hardware and technologies under the Defence Cooperation Framework Pact
▪ Education, Health, and Communication
▫ Financial support
▫ National Digital Network for digital connectivity of education with Bangladesh ▪ Space
▫ SAARC Satellite to improve regional connectivity in areas of intergovernmental networks, telemedicine, teleeducation, and disaster management
▪ Land boundary agreement resolved the impasse of the previous 40 years (Exchange of Enclaves)
Issues
- River water disputes— Teesta agreement
- NRC claiming 1.9 million people in Assam to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
Bangladesh refusing the claim - Illegal migration
- Human trafficking
- Illegal drug trade
- Cattle trafficking across India-Bangladesh border
- Rohingya issue
- Regional groups spreading anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh
- Increasing influence of China in Bangladesh
BBIN Initiative
The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Initiative is a sub regional
architecture
▪ to formulate, implement and review quadrilateral agreements across areas such
as water resources management, connectivity of power, transport, and
infrastructure.
Conclusion
▪ Bangladesh is seen as the neutralizing point against the emerging trend of
string of pearls initiative of China.
▪ India wants peace, stability and friendly ties with all its neighbours. India
Bangladesh bilateral ties are a role model of good neighbourly relations.
▪ Delhi with Dhaka could pursue an ambitious framework for shared prosperity.