Will he choose a good relationship with India?
India was quietly hoping for this election result in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won clearly. For India, this feels a bit comfortable because it has dealt with this party before.
But being familiar doesn’t mean everything will go smoothly.
Now people are asking: If Tarique Rahman becomes prime minister, will he improve relations with India? Or will things go back to how they were between 2001 and 2006, when ties between the two countries were not very good?
There’s another question too. BNP has often worked closely with Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. If these two parties team up again, it could make things more complicated for India.
Why does this matter so much?
India and Bangladesh share a long border. They also share rivers and trade routes. India depends on Bangladesh for:
- Travel routes (called transit) to reach its northeastern states
- Help in stopping armed rebel groups
- Regional security cooperation
When Sheikh Hasina was in power, she allowed India to use routes through Bangladesh, acted against rebel groups, and kept security ties strong. Because of that, relations between the two countries improved.
If Tarique Rahman continues these policies, there’s no big reason why relations cannot stay friendly.
Trade is also important. Bangladesh needs India for better road and rail links and access to markets. India needs Bangladesh as part of its Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen ties with countries in East and Southeast Asia. So both countries benefit from working together.
Some people might still argue about the past. And Bangladesh might try to get support from countries like China or Pakistan to gain advantage. But that could be risky in the long run.
India and Bangladesh are neighbours. They share geography, history, and many connections. Instead of arguing over old issues, this could be a moment for both sides to reset their relationship in a practical and smart way.
In the end, the big test for Tarique Rahman is simple:
Will he choose what is best for Bangladesh’s future — steady, practical cooperation with India?
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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