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The Indian ExpressApril 10, 2026

Delhi and Dhaka must insulate ties from short-termism

Over the better part of two decades, Delhi and Dhaka crafted one of the Subcontinent’s most significant and stable bilateral relationships. Part of the reason for this was the conducive atmosphere created by the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in Bangladesh. Hasina’s perceived “pro-India” stance has become a thorny issue in her country since her ouster in August 2024, and matters were made worse by the political instability, including attacks on minorities. However, after the BNP’s victory in the Bangladesh elections in February, it is clear that a more mature leadership on both sides is ready to reset ties. The visit by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is an important step in that journey.

According to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, the minister “reiterated its request to extraditeSheikh Hasinaand her Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to Bangladesh, who have been awarded the death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)”. The demand must be read for what it is — a political statement by a new government.Delhicannot acquiesce to the request, not least because the ICT was widely condemned as a politically partisan body. That said, there was much in the Foreign Minister’s visit to steer ties back on track. Both sides reportedly discussed the importance of renewing the Ganga Water Treaty, which will expire in December. Bangladesh also expressed the need for greater supplies of fuel and fertilisers. Both countries have agreed to normalise the issuing of visas. For India, the most salient issue is securing the 4,156 km border. Cooperation along the border has helped maintain a stable frontier for both sides, including along India’s northeastern states. Connectivity, energy cooperation and multilateral initiatives under bodies such as BIMSTEC depend on Dhaka and Delhi being on the same page.

To his credit, PM Tarique Rahman has struck a conciliatory note since his appointment. It is necessary to build on Dhaka’s call for ties to be based on “mutual trust and respect and reciprocal benefit”. Both countries share a history, culture and geography that make the gains of working together exponential. The task now is not to let the past — including the Hasina issue — become a roadblock. For the sake of the people of India and Bangladesh, their governments must insulate the relationship from a short-term politics.

Key GK Takeaways for CLAT
  • 1India-Bangladesh relations are undergoing a reset following the BNP's victory under PM Tarique Rahman, succeeding the Sheikh Hasina-led government. Despite challenges like the new government's extradition request for Hasina, both nations are focusing on strategic continuity. The visit of Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman signals a mutual intent to insulate long-term diplomatic and security cooperation from short-term political shifts, prioritizing stability in the subcontinent.
  • 2Bangladesh's request for Sheikh Hasina's extradition highlights key legal principles under India's Extradition Act, 1962. India is likely to refuse the request, potentially classifying the charges by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) as a 'political offence,' a standard exception in extradition law. This case underscores the legal doctrine that extradition is not granted for acts of a political character, protecting individuals from politically motivated prosecutions.
  • 3The impending expiry of the Ganga Water Treaty of 1996 is a critical economic issue for India and Bangladesh. Renewing this treaty is vital for water sharing, agriculture, and environmental stability in the Ganga basin, directly impacting millions of livelihoods in both countries. This, along with cooperation on energy and connectivity, forms the economic bedrock of the bilateral relationship, necessitating pragmatic negotiations for regional prosperity.
  • 4Effective governance of the 4,156 km India-Bangladesh border is a cornerstone of India's internal security, particularly for its northeastern states. Stable bilateral cooperation with Dhaka is essential for managing cross-border issues, which directly impacts internal security and regional stability. This partnership is also crucial for the success of multilateral initiatives like BIMSTEC, linking bilateral ties with broader regional governance and economic integration.

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