India faces mounting regional pressure as Bangladesh ties unravel ahead of polls

WEB DESK: India is facing growing diplomatic and political challenges as its relationship with Bangladesh continues to unravel more than a year after the overthrow of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi. According to a report by New York Times, Hasina was removed from power in 2024 following a mass protest movement and later fled to India, a move that has since become a major source of friction between the two neighbours. Bangladesh’s interim government and opposition forces have accused India of shielding her from accountability, fuelling widespread anti-India sentiment.

Diplomatic, visa and trade ties hit

The political rift has translated into concrete diplomatic and economic consequences. India suspended visa services in Bangladesh’s port city of Chattogram after protests targeted its diplomatic mission, citing security concerns. Bangladesh retaliated by halting visa services for Indians after demonstrations erupted outside its High Commission in New Delhi. Trade relations have also suffered, with India recently discontinuing a transshipment arrangement that allowed Bangladeshi goods to pass through Indian ports, further straining ties.

Sports become another flashpoint

Tensions have spilled into the sporting arena, deepening the standoff. Protests by right-wing Hindu groups in India reportedly led to the exclusion of a Bangladeshi cricketer from the Indian Premier League. In response, Bangladesh announced it would not send its team to India for upcoming World Cup matches and requested that fixtures be shifted to a neutral venue, raising the prospect of a de facto sports boycott.

Domestic politics fuel hostility on both sides

Analysts say the worsening dispute is being amplified by electoral politics. In Bangladesh, parliamentary elections scheduled for February have seen candidates increasingly tap into public anger towards India, particularly among younger voters who blame New Delhi for backing Hasina’s authoritarian rule. In India, especially in border states such as West Bengal and Assam, attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority have become a rallying issue ahead of local polls, hardening political positions.

India’s regional influence tested

India’s difficulties with Bangladesh form part of a broader challenge for New Delhi as it grapples with political upheaval across South Asia while seeking to project itself as a major global power. Critics argue that India’s heavy investment in Hasina’s leadership left it poorly positioned to deal with the post-Hasina political landscape. International analysts have noted that this approach intensified resentment and weakened India’s leverage once mass protests forced her from office.

Uncertain future ties amid shifting political forces

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has struggled to balance internal political pressures with maintaining functional ties with India. New Delhi has rejected his requests to extradite Hasina or curb political activity by her party leaders operating from India, further souring relations. With new political forces, including Islamist parties, gaining ground in Bangladesh, India now faces an uncertain and potentially more hostile neighbour, underscoring the depth of the challenge confronting its regional diplomacy.

Web Desk