India's Diplomatic Push to Bring Bangladesh's PM Tarique Rahman to Delhi

India has intensified efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with Bangladesh's new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, though no official visit has yet been confirmed.

An email from India's presidential office earlier this month suggested preparations for a ceremonial welcome for Rahman during a Change of Guard event at the presidential palace in New Delhi. The email, which was later withdrawn, indicated that the event had been canceled due to rehearsals for Rahman’s arrival. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, AAM Saleh, stated that no decision had been made regarding the visit.

India’s eagerness to host Rahman comes at a pivotal time—his first potential visit since taking office following his party’s landslide victory in February’s parliamentary elections. This vote marked a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a mass uprising in August 2024, during which hundreds were killed. Hasina subsequently fled to India, where she has remained in exile.

Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, which assumed power following Hasina’s removal. Now, New Delhi hopes Rahman’s administration presents an opportunity to restore a critical bilateral relationship, though Hasina’s presence in India continues to complicate matters.

Bangladesh has formally requested India’s extradition of Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia by a Bangladeshi tribunal for allegedly ordering lethal force against protesters during the 2024 uprising. She denies the charges. India has stated that the extradition request is under consideration.

Despite this unresolved issue, India has made multiple diplomatic overtures toward Dhaka. A formal invitation was extended to Rahman shortly after his election victory, and India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, has held recent discussions with Bangladeshi officials, including meetings with Rahman himself. Trivedi has indicated that if Rahman visits, he will receive “the highest honour” and a “memorable welcome.”

Such a show of enthusiasm from India is uncommon, particularly given the historical sensitivity of their relations. “I would imagine there is a degree of frustration [in Delhi] because, except for actually handing over Hasina, they have gone pretty far in terms of reaching out to Dhaka,” said Shyam Saran, a former Indian foreign secretary.

India has taken steps to address some of Bangladesh’s immediate needs, including supplying electricity, fuel, and medical visas, while also reviving several bilateral trade mechanisms. The two nations share a 4,096-kilometre border and maintain close cultural and linguistic ties, with bilateral trade exceeding $12 billion last year—though heavily favoring India.

Bangladesh also plays a strategic role in India’s access to its northeastern states. Under Hasina’s 15-year tenure, the two countries expanded road, rail, and port connectivity, enhancing India’s regional connectivity while also cooperating on security matters, including crackdowns on insurgent groups operating from Bangladeshi territory.

However, Hasina’s close relationship with India became increasingly controversial in Bangladesh, where critics accused Delhi of overlooking democratic and human rights concerns. Her continued presence in India has sustained these tensions, particularly after she addressed journalists virtually during an event in New Delhi on August 5. She vowed to return to Bangladesh in December and accused Rahman’s government of suppressing her supporters—prompting outrage in Dhaka.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry stated it was “outraged” that Hasina was allowed to speak publicly in India, while India’s foreign ministry clarified that it had “no role” in the event and did not endorse her remarks regarding Bangladesh’s government.

The timing of Hasina’s remarks may have complicated Rahman’s decision to visit. Lailufar Yasmin, a professor at Dhaka University, noted that Rahman was reportedly considering a visit to India before the event took place. “It actually created a huge backlash in Bangladesh,” she said. “Questions were raised whether Indian authorities were sincere about a reset in bilateral relations.”

For Rahman, traveling to Delhi while Hasina remains in exile could carry political risks at home. At the same time, India’s urgency in repairing ties is driven by more than Hasina’s presence. Since her removal, Bangladesh has also moved to strengthen relations with India’s rival, Pakistan, including high-level military exchanges and discussions on expanded defense cooperation.

India has long accused Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency of supporting insurgent groups operating in Bangladesh’s territory during the 2000s—a claim both Pakistan and Bangladesh denied at the time. The recent announcement of the Mecca Pact, a defense agreement signed this month by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan modeled after NATO’s collective defense principle, has further raised concerns in New Delhi.

Bangladesh’s junior foreign minister, Humayun Kabir, stated this week that Dhaka is considering participation in such arrangements, saying, “It is being viewed positively.” Saudi Arabia has also extended an invitation to Rahman for a bilateral visit, though it remains unclear whether Bangladesh has been formally asked to join the defense pact.

Professor Yasmin cautioned that Bangladesh should proceed with caution. “Bangladesh should be a bit cautious about entering into any defense pact,” she said. “It’s not just about antagonizing India; Bangladesh needs to wait for a while to see which way it’s going and whether it will align with our interests.”

For India, these developments underscore that its relationship with Bangladesh is evolving, and Delhi can no longer assume the level of closeness it once enjoyed under Hasina. Meanwhile, Rahman’s government may seek to demonstrate that its foreign policy is not overly dependent on its larger neighbor.

Professor Yasmin suggested that Rahman should visit Delhi before the UN General Assembly meeting in mid-September. “Neighbours have to live together,” she said.

Another potential opportunity may arise soon, as India is set to host a BRICS summit in mid-September, with Bangladesh invited as a special guest. After weeks of diplomatic engagement—and one revealing email—New Delhi will be hoping Rahman accepts the invitation.