New Delhi signals a calibrated approach toward Bangladesh amid a changing political landscape
By Mir Lutful Kabir Saadi
India has stated that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not been permitted to conduct political activities from Indian territory, while confirming that Bangladesh’s request for her extradition is being examined under established legal procedures. The position was conveyed by the Government of India to Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs and has emerged as a significant indicator of New Delhi’s evolving approach toward its increasingly complex relationship with Bangladesh.
The committee’s report, titled “The Future of India-Bangladesh Relations,” was presented in the Lok Sabha this week. Chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, the committee outlined both the government’s assessment of the Hasina issue and broader strategic recommendations concerning bilateral relations.
The report comes at a particularly sensitive moment, as Bangladesh undergoes a profound political transformation following the collapse of the Awami League government in 2024 and the subsequent emergence of a new administration under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
India’s Official Position
According to the parliamentary committee, the Government of India has maintained that Sheikh Hasina was allowed to remain in India on humanitarian grounds, consistent with what it described as India’s longstanding tradition of providing refuge to individuals facing severe distress or threats to their safety.
However, the government also clarified that Hasina has not been allowed to use Indian territory as a platform for political activity, and that India does not permit its territory to be used for actions directed against another country. The same principle, it said, has been applied in her case. The committee further recommended that the government continue balancing humanitarian considerations with India’s international obligations and diplomatic sensitivities.
Bangladesh’s Extradition Request
The report confirms that Bangladesh’s request for Hasina’s extradition is under consideration by the relevant Indian authorities in accordance with applicable laws and established procedures.
The committee said it had sought updates from the government regarding the status of the extradition process, particularly following judicial developments in Bangladesh, including legal proceedings against the former prime minister.
Although Indian officials did not indicate a timeline for any decision, the acknowledgment that the request is actively under review represents one of the clearest official statements by New Delhi on the matter.
A Politically Significant Declaration
India’s assertion that Hasina has been denied political space carries considerable political significance, as reports have frequently suggested that she has remained in contact with Awami League leaders from India, issued public statements, and communicated through digital platforms.
By formally stating that no political platform has been provided to her, New Delhi appears to be signalling heightened sensitivity to Bangladesh’s concerns regarding cross-border political activity.
Diplomatic observers note that the statement may be intended both for the government in Dhaka and for the broader international community, underscoring India’s stated commitment to the principle of non-interference.
The Broader India-Bangladesh Reset
The parliamentary report goes beyond the Hasina issue and outlines a wider framework for rebuilding bilateral relations after a period of significant strain.
Following the political upheaval of August 2024, relations between Dhaka and New Delhi deteriorated over a range of issues, including border management, migration concerns, security cooperation, and political mistrust. The report suggests that India views the emergence of Bangladesh’s new government as an opportunity for recalibration.
According to the committee, New Delhi responded positively to the formation of the new administration, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly extending congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and inviting him to visit India.
The committee described this as an important opportunity to deepen engagement and address unresolved bilateral issues on the basis of mutual respect.
Timing Raises Diplomatic Questions
The report was released shortly after newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Tripathi held his first meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka.
Following the meeting, Tripathi stated that there was no bilateral issue that could not be resolved through dialogue. Bangladeshi officials, however, emphasised that several areas of discomfort in the relationship would need to be addressed before relations could significantly improve.
Diplomatic analysts in both New Delhi and Dhaka have attached considerable significance to the timing of the parliamentary report, interpreting it as a carefully calibrated diplomatic signal during an ongoing effort to stabilise bilateral relations.
China Emerges as a Strategic Concern
One of the report’s most notable sections concerns China’s expanding presence in Bangladesh. The committee expressed concern over Chinese participation in the development of Mongla Port, infrastructure projects in northern Bangladesh, including reported modernisation of facilities near the Indian border, and the expansion of maritime and defence-related cooperation between Dhaka and Beijing.
The report argued that these developments require close monitoring because of their potential implications for India’s security environment, particularly in relation to the Siliguri Corridor and India’s northeastern region.
It urged the Government of India to strengthen its role as a reliable development partner for Bangladesh while carefully assessing the strategic activities of external powers.
Security and Border Issues
The committee also highlighted Indian concerns regarding regional security, including alleged extremist activities, cross-border instability, and the impact of political developments in Bangladesh on India’s northeastern states.
These assessments reflect India’s longstanding view of Bangladesh not only as a close neighbour but also as a critical component of its broader eastern security architecture.
Water-Sharing Remains Unresolved
The report identifies water-sharing as a central issue in future bilateral relations. It recommends renewal of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty and progress toward a mutually acceptable agreement on the Teesta River.
According to the committee, internal consultations involving the Indian Union Government and the governments of West Bengal and Bihar are continuing, and discussions with Bangladesh’s new government are expected to follow.
Visa Restrictions and People-To-People Ties
The committee expressed concern over the disruption of visa services following the security-related reduction of Indian diplomatic personnel in Bangladesh.
While medical visas have continued to receive priority, the report noted that prolonged restrictions have negatively affected educational, business, tourism, and family travel between the two countries. It recommended a gradual restoration of full visa operations once conditions permit.
Competing Historical Narratives
Another significant aspect of the report is its discussion of historical memory. The committee argued that changing perceptions of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War among younger generations require greater academic, cultural, and civil society engagement.
It recommended expanding Track 1.5 and Track 2 diplomacy involving scholars, researchers, media organisations, and policy experts, while also advocating the use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to counter misinformation and anti-India narratives.
A Message Beyond Sheikh Hasina
The parliamentary report ultimately conveys a broader strategic message. India appears to be attempting a delicate balancing act: maintaining humanitarian protection for Sheikh Hasina, avoiding the appearance of facilitating political activity from its territory, preserving legal flexibility regarding extradition, and simultaneously seeking a more stable working relationship with Bangladesh’s new government.
Whether this approach will succeed remains uncertain. Many Bangladeshi observers argue that the true test will not be parliamentary declarations but India’s future actions on extradition, border management, water-sharing, visa liberalisation, and political engagement.
For now, New Delhi’s message is carefully calibrated: Sheikh Hasina may remain in India, but she is not permitted to engage in political activity from Indian soil, and the future of bilateral relations will depend on whether both governments can move beyond the mistrust that has defined the post-2024 period.
