Tariq Rahman took oath as Prime Minister after BNP’s victory in Bangladesh. After the departure of Sheikh Hasina, a change is visible in regional politics. Pakistani media is seeing this as an opportunity for Islamabad and a new challenge for India.
Bangladesh New PM Tariq Rahman: Bangladesh got a new Prime Minister in the form of Tariq Rahman on 17 February. Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had registered a landslide victory in the general elections held on February 12. On Tuesday, he was elected the leader of BNP’s parliamentary party, after which he took oath as the Prime Minister. There is a wave of happiness in Pakistan and the media there due to the news of his victory and swearing in.
BNP’s stance: Soft towards Pakistan, but ‘Bangladesh first’
BNP is not considered completely pro-Pakistan like Jamaat-e-Islami, but the party has shown a relatively soft stance towards Pakistan. However, after becoming the Prime Minister, Tariq Rehman has clearly said that his priority is neither India nor Pakistan, but first of all Bangladesh.
Pakistani media reaction: ‘Delhi’s Dilemma, Islamabad’s Moment’
Pakistan’s leading newspaper The Express Tribune wrote in an article that the election results of Bangladesh have not only given a new direction to the politics of Dhaka, but have also started the process of change in the regional geo-politics of South Asia. The article titled “Delhi’s Dilemma, Islamabad’s Moment” mentioned allegations of electoral manipulation, weakening democracy and increasing polarization during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
A diplomatic opportunity for Pakistan
The newspaper wrote that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz were among the first leaders to congratulate Tariq Rehman. According to the article, this signals a pragmatic shift for India, as India had invested significantly in its relations with Sheikh Hasina. At the same time, this is being considered as a new diplomatic opportunity for Pakistan.
Impact on India-Bangladesh relations
According to the Pakistani newspaper, India considered Sheikh Hasina a reliable partner, especially given the security concerns related to its northeastern region. Anti-India sentiment is still a political factor in Bangladesh, especially among those who feel India’s economic inequality and political interference. However, it was also recognized that the path ahead for India-Bangladesh relations would not be easy.
Geo TV report: Opportunity for diplomacy for Pakistan
Journalist Ajaz Saeed on Pakistani broadcaster Geo TV said that India made a wrong assessment regarding Bangladesh in 2024 and now it has to face its consequences. According to the report, after Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India on August 5, 2024, anti-India sentiment remains among the common people, but this sentiment is more against the Indian government rather than the Indian public. India placed its full trust on Awami League and Sheikh Hasina, which proved costly. However, India is now trying to strengthen relations again by understanding the new political situation.
Political equation changed after Sheikh Hasina
After the removal of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power, there has been a change in the regional equations. Relations with Pakistan were quite tense during the tenure of his party Awami League. Bangladesh, formed by separating from Pakistan in 1971, maintained a tough stance towards Pakistan for a long time. Sheikh Hasina had also been taking a tough stance towards Pakistan. However, after his departure, relations with Pakistan softened due to the role of Muhammad Yunus in the interim government and the influence of Jamaat-e-Islami. During this period, the distance in relations between India and Bangladesh increased.