Tariq Rahman is close to power in Bangladesh after 17 years in exile. India has already shown signs of improving relations by congratulating him. The issue of security of Hindus, Teesta water sharing and Sheikh Hasina will decide the direction of future relations.
Tariq Rahman Bangladesh BNP: In the Bangladesh elections, Tariq Rahman led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured majority by winning 212 out of 299 seats. That means now it is certain for Tariq Rehman to become the Prime Minister. PM Narendra Modi has also congratulated BNP and Tariq Rehman. What does BNP’s return to power mean for Hindus living in India and Bangladesh? Will the relations between the two countries improve now? Know the answers to such questions.
Why did India congratulate before the election results?
India had congratulated Tariq Rehman even before the official results came out. This indicates that India wants to improve the deteriorated relations after Sheikh Hasina’s departure from power in 2024. BNP has been considered a more liberal and democratic alternative to Jamaat-e-Islami for India.
What is Tariq Rahman’s ‘Bangladesh First’ agenda?
Tariq Rahman has come up with a ‘Bangladesh First’ agenda, which is said to be inspired by US President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ model. He has said that Bangladesh will maintain equal distance from India, China and Pakistan. This is a matter of relief for India, because during the interim government, Bangladesh had increased its closeness with Pakistan and China.
What was India’s diplomatic initiative?
When Tariq Rehman’s mother Khaleda Zia was ill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had publicly expressed concern. After his death, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar became the first Indian leader to visit Dhaka after the 2024 unrest. He handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Modi to Tariq Rehman. On Friday, Prime Minister Modi was the first to congratulate Tariq and said that he is ready to work together to strengthen India-Bangladesh multi-dimensional relations.
What is the current situation of India-Bangladesh relations?
There is about 4000 km long border between India and Bangladesh. Trade, power supply and connectivity between the two countries are deeply interconnected. Geographically, India is very important for Bangladesh. But on the other hand, suspicion about India has increased among the youth of Bangladesh (Gen Z). India’s slow response to Sheikh Hasina’s demand for asylum in India and her repatriation has created resentment in some sections.
What is the situation regarding the security of Hindus in Bangladesh?
In recent months, reports of attacks on Hindus emerged in Bangladesh. Incidents of killing of about 15 Hindus were reported in about 45 days, which raised international concern. Tariq Rehman did not promote anti-India sentiment in his first address. He said that religion is personal, but the state belongs to everyone. This has raised hopes that strict steps can be taken for the safety of the Hindu community.
Which issues will decide the direction of India-Bangladesh relations?
Although Tariq Rehman is talking about friendship, his stance on some issues is considered to be strict. These include border killings, sharing of waters of Teesta and Padma rivers and extradition of Sheikh Hasina. These issues may decide the direction of India-Bangladesh relations in the times to come.
How were relations during the period 2001–2006?
When BNP was in power from 2001 to 2006, India-Bangladesh relations were considered very bad. At that time Jamaat-e-Islami was an ally of BNP. India had alleged that Bangladesh had given shelter to Pakistan-backed terrorists and militants from north-east India.
Will ‘Tariq Rehman 2.0’ start a new chapter?
Now the big question is whether the new leadership of Tariq Rehman will start a new chapter in relations with India? Will security of Hindus improve in Bangladesh? Will Sheikh Hasina issue increase tension? The coming years will decide whether India-Bangladesh friendship will strengthen again or relations will move in a new direction.
Tariq Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years and got power
Tariq Rahman is a top leader of BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party), the main political party of Bangladesh. He is considered the scion of one of the most powerful political families in the country. He was accused of being involved in the 2004 Chittagong arms case. He was arrested in 2007 and went to Britain for treatment in 2008. He returned from London in December after 17 years in exile. He was acquitted on all counts following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from power in 2024.