India appears to be sending a clear signal that New Delhi is prepared to engage with the government that will emerge after the February election in Bangladesh. This gesture became evident following India’s outreach to BNP and the Zia family after the death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Analysts believe that by extending condolences and showing respect to Khaleda Zia and her family, New Delhi is conveying that it seeks to maintain relations with all major political forces in Bangladesh—not only the Awami League.
The move is also seen as an effort to connect with Bangladesh’s potential future leadership, a step that could positively influence Dhaka-Delhi relations in the coming period.
Former Bangladesh ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmed told TIMES of Bangladesh that India wants a “normal, rational and regular” relationship with Dhaka.
“By reaching out to BNP and the Zia family, Delhi is sending a message that it maintains relations with political forces across the spectrum in Bangladesh, not only with the Awami League,” he said.
He added that there is a widespread perception that India engages exclusively with the Awami League, but the respect shown to Khaleda Zia—despite her being BNP chairperson—demonstrates otherwise.
Munshi Faiz Ahmed also noted that the Indian government appears reluctant to initiate major new engagements with the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and expects relations to improve once an elected government takes office after the February polls.
Former ambassador Md Abdul Hye echoed similar views, nting the personal tone of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s condolence letter to Tarique Zia.
“The letter was drafted with a personal touch, as Prime Minister Modi addressed Begum Khaleda Zia first as the mother of Tarique Rahman and then as a former prime minister,” Abdul Hye said.
He pointed out that Modi concluded the letter by wishing Tarique Rahman well in his future endeavours, which he described as a positive and forward-looking message. “Now it depends on how Tarique Rahman reciprocates,” he added.
Indian engagement
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and signed the condolence book, expressing profound sorrow over the death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
In a post on X, Rajnath Singh wrote: “Went to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh.”
A day earlier, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka. During the visit, he handed over a letter from Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman, BNP acting chairman and son of Khaleda, who breathed her last at a Dhaka hospital on Tuesday.
Ahead of the funeral on Wednesday, Jaishankar and Tarique held a meeting of about 20 minutes at the Jatiya Sangsad complex.
Tarique also met Pakistan’s Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for around 15 minutes and held separate meetings with Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, and Maldives’ Minister Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath met the BNP leader later at his Gulshan residence after arriving in Dhaka in the evening.
Towards a regular relationship
There is a widely held belief that during Awami League’s tenure Bangladesh pursued a largely passive foreign policy and failed to adequately protect national interests, partly due to Sheikh Hasina’s close political backing from India.
Former ambassador Abdul Hye said both sides now need to work towards a more balanced relationship.
“We need a normal and regular relationship based on our mutual trusts. As neighbours we are to build ties with India that has broader acceptance by our people. The way it was dealt with in the past regime was not acceptable to a majority segment of people in Bangladesh.”
He warned that instability in India’s northeastern states could pose serious security risks for Bangladesh and cautioned against being drawn into the strategic agendas of third countries. “We should not fall into the trap of others.”
With the emergence of third-generation political leadership in Bangladesh, Abdul Hye stressed the need for greater confidence and maturity in dealing with foreign powers, including India.
“Dhaka needs Delhi just as India needs Bangladesh,” he said
