The Hindu: - Published on 22 December 2025
Why in the News?
India–Bangladesh relations have witnessed a sharp downturn following the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu youth, in Mymensingh on December 18, 2025, amid widespread unrest in Bangladesh. India termed the incident a “horrendous act” and raised strong concerns over the safety of minorities, while Bangladesh rejected suggestions of communal targeting. The situation escalated further with attacks on Indian diplomatic facilities, suspension of Indian visa services in Bangladesh, and heightened anti-India rhetoric, pushing bilateral ties to a critical juncture.
Background: A Relationship Built on Cooperation
For more than a decade, India and Bangladesh shared one of South Asia’s most stable bilateral relationships, especially during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League government. Cooperation expanded across counter-terrorism, border management, trade, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
A key pillar of trust was Bangladesh’s decisive action against anti-India insurgent groups operating from its soil, which significantly improved security in India’s Northeast. This period marked a high point in regional stability and strategic convergence.
Political Upheaval and Strategic Disruption
The August 2024 uprising in Bangladesh, which led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the formation of an interim government, disrupted this continuity. Hasina’s shelter in India and the political transition in Dhaka introduced uncertainty into bilateral ties.
Since then, cooperation has slowed, and connectivity projects, a cornerstone of India–Bangladesh engagement, have become vulnerable to political mistrust. Diplomatic coordination weakened as domestic instability in Bangladesh deepened.
Trigger Events: Violence, Protests, and Diplomatic Tensions
The killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a leader associated with the July Uprising and known for his anti-India stance, became a flashpoint. Allegations—without official confirmation—that his assailant fled to India fuelled public anger.
This unrest culminated in:
India strongly denied involvement and reiterated its commitment to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, while urging accountability for violence against minorities.
India’s Core Concerns
India’s response reflects deeper strategic anxieties:
New Delhi views stability in Bangladesh as directly linked to its own internal security and regional balance.
Regional and Strategic Implications
The crisis comes at a time when Bangladesh is diversifying its external engagements, including closer ties with China and Pakistan. For India, this raises concerns about shifting regional alignments and reduced strategic trust.
Statements threatening cross-border repercussions have further narrowed diplomatic space, while public sentiment on both sides has hardened.
Way Forward
Despite current tensions, geography, shared history, and deep social ties make sustained hostility untenable. Both nations have much to lose from prolonged estrangement.
Key steps needed include:
Conclusion
The present crisis underscores how fragile regional stability can become when political transitions and security concerns intersect. India–Bangladesh relations are at a crossroads—either recalibrated through dialogue and cooperation or allowed to drift into prolonged uncertainty. The choices made now will shape South Asia’s strategic landscape for years to come.
