May 23, 2025 9:00 pm
Full News

Bangladesh, India, Pakistan: A New Geopolitical Equation?

In recent months, South Asia has witnessed a whirlwind of geopolitical shifts, but one development stands out as both unexpected and consequential: the budding opportunities for partnership between Pakistan and Bangladesh. However, this evolving dynamic must be viewed in the context of the deep and enduring ties between India and Bangladesh, which are rooted in shared history, culture, and values.

India’s role as a trusted friend of Bangladesh is firmly anchored in the events of 1971. During Bangladesh’s Liberation War, India played a pivotal role, providing not only political and diplomatic support but also military assistance. The Indian Army’s decisive intervention in December 1971 led to the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan’s oppressive regime, an act that cemented India’s place in the hearts of millions of Bangladeshis.

Since then, the cultural bonds between the two nations have only deepened. Bangladesh’s shared linguistic and cultural heritage with India, particularly with the Indian state of West Bengal, has fostered a sense of kinship. From Rabindranath Tagore’s poetry to Bollywood films, Indian cultural influences resonate strongly in Bangladeshi society. This cultural affinity forms the foundation of a relationship that extends far beyond mere politics.

Flags of India, Bangladesh & Pakistan

Sheikh Hasina’s decade-long tenure as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister was marked by an unparalleled strengthening of India-Bangladesh ties. Her Awami League government worked closely with New Delhi to ensure border stability, curb anti-India militancy, and promote economic integration. Under her leadership, Bangladesh emerged as one of India’s most reliable partners in South Asia, aligning its foreign policy with Indian strategic interests and resisting overtures from rival powers like China and Pakistan.

The recent political shift in Bangladesh, following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, introduces uncertainties into this historically close relationship. The new interim government, which includes factions less favorable to India, may recalibrate Bangladesh’s foreign policy to a degree. This has created an opening for Pakistan to re-engage with Dhaka, raising concerns in New Delhi.

While Pakistan views this as an opportunity to break its regional isolation, the reality is that Bangladesh’s ties with India are far more substantial and enduring. Economic cooperation, connectivity projects, and shared strategic interests have created a robust framework for India-Bangladesh relations. Projects like the Maitree Express, improved trade corridors, and energy cooperation underscore the depth of their partnership.

Moreover, the people-to-people connections between India and Bangladesh remain strong. Shared celebrations of cultural icons like Tagore and Nazrul, common traditions, and a mutual appreciation of art and literature bind the two nations in ways that go beyond geopolitics. These cultural and historical bonds make it unlikely that Bangladesh will drift far from India, regardless of political changes.

For New Delhi, however, complacency is not an option. India must proactively reaffirm its commitment to Bangladesh by assisting pro-India political forces, in collaboration with the international community, to ensure the establishment of a democratically elected, secular government. Offering continued economic incentives, development assistance, and security cooperation, while emphasizing shared history and cultural ties, will enable India to counter any overtures from Islamabad and safeguard the enduring partnership with Dhaka.

In the broader context, the evolving Pakistan-Bangladesh dynamic serves as a reminder of the fluidity of regional alliances. Yet, the foundation of India-Bangladesh relations—built on trust, shared sacrifices, and cultural connections—is uniquely resilient. For South Asia’s future, these bonds will likely remain a stabilizing force, even as the geopolitical landscape continues to shift.

Dastagir Jahangir, Editor, The Voice.

Related News
Rubio and Ruto Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Eastern Congo
BJP Selects Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s Chief Minister
Apple Settles $95m Lawsuit Over Alleged Siri Eavesdropping
Attempted Attack on Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar in London, Indian Flag Torn
Teen Arrested After Five Family Members Found Dead in Washington State Home
Ted Cruz Predicts Sharp Drop in Illegal Immigration Following Trump Inauguration
Related Posts
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on EU Goods, iPhones Also Targeted
289 Workers Trapped in South African Gold Mine, Rescue Operation Underway
Zeldin, Whitehouse Clash in Heated Senate Hearing Over EPA Grant Cuts
Zelensky Urges NATO for Unified Pressure on Russia After Trump’s Shift on Ceasefire
Bangladesh Plans to Revive WWII-Era Airbase Near Siliguri Corridor With Chinese Help, Raising Alarms in India
Did Sheikh Hasina Really Burden the Nation with Debt?
More News

Vanessa Trump Subtly Confirms Tiger Woods Romance on Instagram

Vanessa Trump has quietly confirmed her budding romance with golf legend Tiger Woods via a subtle gesture on Instagram. On Monday, April 7, Woods, 49, shared a post on his Instagram announcing an exciting partnership between his foundation and Augusta National Golf Club to launch a state-of-the-art STEAM education facility for local students. He wrote, […]

Marvel Reveals ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Cast in Live-Stream of Chairs

In an unexpected move, Marvel Studios announced the star-studded cast for Avengers: Doomsday through a live-stream of… chairs. Yes, you read that right. The event, timed to mark the start of production, kicked off at 3 pm UK time with a chair bearing Chris Hemsworth’s name being placed into an empty hangar. Every 12-15 minutes, […]

Third World War Is Not Too Far Away: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the Third World War is not too far away. Speaking at the FII Priority Summit in Miami on Thursday (February 20), he said, “No one will benefit from World War III. But you are not very far from it.” However, Trump assured that he would prevent such a […]

Trump Meets Syrian Interim Government President in Riyadh

U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharar, President of Syria’s Interim Government, on Wednesday morning (14 May) in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, during his ongoing Middle East tour. The meeting was reported by BBC. Prior to the meeting, the United States had lifted sanctions on Syria. President Trump stated that […]

UN Migration Agency Resumes Aid to Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia

Jakarta: The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reinstated humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees in Indonesia, the agency confirmed on Tuesday. This comes shortly after reports revealed aid cuts affecting over 900 refugees due to major funding challenges, primarily following reductions by its largest donor, the United States. Jeff Labovitz, IOM’s chief of […]

The Situation of Minorities in Bangladesh is Dire: US Report

The 2025 annual report by the United States federal agency, the Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), highlights the deteriorating situation of religious freedom in Bangladesh. It states that following the July uprising, after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, attacks on Hindus and their temples have increased, as claimed by their […]

Israeli Attacks Across Gaza Claim 58 Lives in a Single Day

Israeli military operations across Gaza have intensified, resulting in the deaths of 58 Palestinians within the last 24 hours. These casualties include individuals who had sought refuge in the designated “safe zone” of al-Mawasi, located in southern Gaza. The ongoing assault underscores the relentless nature of the conflict.The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) […]

NATO Chief Mark Rutte to Meet Donald Trump in Florida to Discuss Ukraine Crisis

Former Dutch Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is reportedly set to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Florida to discuss the ongoing Ukraine crisis, according to reports from Dutch and U.S. media outlets. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has revealed that Rutte has traveled to Florida and will visit Trump at his Mar-a-Lago […]

Crocodile Tears and the Lust for Power: A Critical Look at Dr Muhammad Yunus

Dr Abul Hasnat Milton At the recent Bangladesh Investment Summit, a poignant moment captured national attention: Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus broke into tears while recalling the 1974 famine in Bangladesh. The image of such a globally revered figure crying stirred both sympathy and suspicion. To some, it seemed like a rare show of emotion […]

Jaishankar Raises Concerns Over US Visa Delays in First Meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio

In his first bilateral meeting with the new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the prolonged delays faced by Indian citizens in obtaining US visas. Emphasizing the “strong degree of trust” between India and the United States, Jaishankar acknowledged the strength of the bilateral relationship but stressed the need […]