India has assured Bangladesh that it will consider Dhaka’s request to increase supplies of diesel and fertilizer to help ease the strain caused by energy shortages and global supply chain disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East, according to a statement from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman conveyed the request during meetings with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi. He also met India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval over dinner on Tuesday.
The visit marks the first ministerial-level trip to India since the BNP-led government assumed office, and is seen as an effort to reset bilateral ties that have remained strained since the political transition in August 2024.
During the meetings, Khalilur Rahman thanked India for its recent diesel supply and requested increased volumes of both diesel and fertilizer. In response, Puri indicated that the request would be considered “readily and favorably,” according to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
However, India did not respond to Bangladesh’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Both are currently facing widely debated legal proceedings in Bangladesh, while members of their party have reportedly been subjected to arrests and prolonged detention without trial.
According to the official release, the Bangladeshi side raised issues of political sensitivity. However, the discussions did not prominently feature key national concerns such as the Ganges and Teesta water-sharing agreements or reports of killings along the India-Bangladesh border.
Bangladesh also expressed appreciation to Indian authorities for arresting suspects linked to the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
A cautious diplomatic reset
During talks, Jaishankar said Indian visas for Bangladeshis — particularly medical and business visas — would be eased in the coming weeks, signaling a gradual reopening of people-to-people exchanges that had sharply declined following the political shift in 2024.
India had earlier reduced visa issuance after the July–August 2024 transition, while Dhaka imposed reciprocal restrictions. Although Bangladeshi missions have resumed issuing visas across categories, India has yet to fully restore pre-crisis levels.
Diplomatic observers say the latest engagements point to a cautious reset in ties. Yet, the substance of the discussions reveals a narrower focus on immediate economic needs rather than a comprehensive approach to longstanding bilateral concerns.
“There are many issues — water sharing, trade, tourism, and healthcare — that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of people in both countries,” former Bangladesh ambassador to the United States M. Humayun Kabir said in Dhaka while speaking to journalists during a policy discussion this week. He added, “Renewing the Ganges water-sharing treaty will be a real test of the relationship going forward.”
Strategic gaps in key national interests
The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed in 1996, is set to expire in December this year, placing urgency on negotiations. Meanwhile, the Teesta water-sharing agreement has remained stalled for more than a decade, widely seen as a measure of unresolved expectations in bilateral engagement.
Despite this, the recent visit appeared to place limited emphasis on these critical issues. Analysts note that while Dhaka prioritized fuel supply and short-term economic relief, it did not clearly articulate positions on water rights or border security concerns — areas that have long defined public sentiment and national interest.
In New Delhi, India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its willingness to engage, stating that Jaishankar conveyed “India’s desire to engage constructively with the new Government and further strengthen bilateral ties,” with follow-up meetings expected soon.
After his meeting on April 8, Jaishankar posted on X, “Pleased to host FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh and his delegation this afternoon. Agreed to remain in close touch,” reflecting a tone of diplomatic continuity.
Energy urgency driving diplomacy
Energy cooperation dominated the agenda as Bangladesh faces mounting pressure from fuel shortages linked to global instability in West Asia. Dhaka’s increasing reliance on regional arrangements underscores the urgency of securing stable supply channels.
Following his meeting with Rahman, Hardeep Singh Puri said on X that he had discussed “bilateral cooperation in the energy sector,” indicating India’s readiness to support Bangladesh’s immediate needs.
However, the focus on energy has also exposed a broader strategic dilemma — whether short-term relief is being pursued at the expense of addressing deeper structural issues in bilateral relations.
Political context and growing concerns
The visit also unfolded against a complex domestic backdrop. Since the political transition in August 2024, Bangladesh has faced mounting scrutiny over governance, legal processes, and political freedoms.
Rights groups and observers have reported widespread arrests, politically sensitive cases, and pressure on opposition figures and supporters of the previous administration. The ongoing legal proceedings against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and senior leaders have drawn particular attention, raising concerns about due process and institutional neutrality.
At the same time, questions are emerging over the government’s diplomatic priorities. Critics argue that while Dhaka has actively sought external support for energy and economic stability, it has been less assertive in advancing long-standing national interests in negotiations with key partners.
Security cooperation and regional engagement
Security coordination remains an important pillar of engagement. Rahman’s meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval included discussions on regional stability, intelligence cooperation, and broader geopolitical developments.
The arrest in India of suspects linked to the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi has also demonstrated continued operational cooperation. Bangladeshi authorities confirmed that the individuals would be returned under the bilateral extradition framework.
Rahman’s diplomatic schedule continues with his visit to Mauritius for the Indian Ocean Conference from April 10–12, where further interactions with regional leaders, including Jaishankar, are expected.
Diplomatic sources suggest that these engagements may provide additional opportunities to revisit unresolved concerns and recalibrate the direction of Bangladesh-India relations in the months ahead.
