In a diplomatic row, there may be an exchange at the podium and then lunch at the dining table. A shipment delay increases a businessperson’s expenses. Uncertainty about the power supply hinders manufacturing. A denied visa forces the sick to seek treatment elsewhere. In the border regions between Bangladesh and India, political diplomacy is a matter of sustenance, safety, and respect.
Re-establishing such a bond will therefore involve more than just better rhetoric. Arrangements must ensure citizens know the environment is safe. Geography calls for cooperation; institutions ensure its sustainability.
Bangladesh must adopt the following principles of cooperation: sovereignty, reciprocity, and accountability. India, like any other country, benefits from a secure, prosperous neighbour. When diplomacy fails and becomes an expensive business deal, both sides lose.
It is the simplest way to build confidence. In May 2025, India imposed restrictions on the entry ports of specific goods from Bangladesh and made it mandatory that ready-made garments be imported through Kolkata and Nhava Sheva seaports only. This is an instance where administrative measures affect the economics of neighbouring countries. Extra costs of longer transportation routes include higher freight and interest costs, and even the risk of losing cargo. Small traders cannot afford this burden. Consumers and workers will ultimately bear the cost.
There must be advance notice policies, explanations for imposing such restrictions, and review mechanisms. Emergency measures are possible, but they must be justified and appropriately limited.
Bangladesh’s market access concerns require appropriate measures such as simplified certification, reciprocal testing when appropriate, and effective mechanisms for lodging complaints. Bangladesh must provide similar transparency for Indian suppliers. Reciprocity does not mean equal trade volumes, but opportunity and fair rules. Increased exports by Bangladesh will help build a domestic constituency in favour of cooperation.
A border cannot become a bridge if surrounding communities are afraid. Smuggling, trafficking, irregular movements, and contested identity need to be effectively enforced. It also needs to be done with restraint and proper processes. When deaths occur, they need to be properly investigated and properly accounted for. If there are reports of illegal crossings or deportations, these need to be properly verified and followed through with proper procedure. People should never be used to exert diplomatic pressure. Communication between border command centres, emergency call centres, and efforts to break down people-smuggling networks can help prevent escalation. Repatriation of nationals will be dignified and humane if done according to proper procedures. When possible, regulated border markets can support livelihoods and replace illicit trade. A good management process should be evaluated based on safer communities and proper trade.
Water cooperation may be one of the most significant challenges to the relationship. According to the Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission, the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty is a thirty-year deal that will expire in 2026. Given its upcoming expiration, creating a viable alternative is especially vital. The negotiations should cover changes in hydrology, dry-season shortages, ecological impacts, and the living standards of downstream populations. India’s domestic needs should be considered; however, Bangladesh’s needs should be as well. Another issue that needs to be settled is the Teesta issue, which also requires reliable negotiations. Domestic political constraints must be recognised, but they cannot be the only reason for endless non-negotiation.
Cooperation is possible even without reaching an agreement. Prompt information about floods, water sharing, technical reports about the flow of water, and joint research can help people to prepare and avoid conflicts. A more effective Joint River Commission is needed to meet regularly, prepare technical reports, and set deadlines for resolving conflicts.
Electricity connectivity could help align the interests of all parties involved, provided it remains affordable and clear. Bangladesh needs electricity, while electricity providers need payment. This means the contract should be strong.
All these features, such as tariff, capacity payment, fuel cost adjustment, and dispute resolution mechanism, should be analysed individually. The contract may need modifications, but these can be done profitably for the organisation without affecting its reputation, and regional collaboration may also be possible. For instance, exporting 40 MW of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through India began in November 2024. Diversifying electricity sources, increasing generation in Bangladesh, and improving efficiency will help.
Proximity could become an economic benefit through roads, railways, waterways, and harbours. The World Bank conducted research in 2021 on the substantial earning potential from connectivity in the transport industry for Bangladesh and India. These earnings were theoretical in nature. However, to gain from these hypothetical situations, construction alone is not enough. Bangladesh needs to get its fair share of revenue, employment, and business opportunities from transit operations. Any transit agreement needs to include clear provisions on tariffs, maintenance, environmental protection, and security.
India can enhance connectivity in its northeast states while Bangladesh can become a regional logistics hub. Bangladesh will also benefit if it has reciprocal access to Nepal and Bhutan. If people know what they will get from a project and how costs will be shared, they will support it. Medical visits, education, tourism, cultural exchange, and kinship visits will all help humanise diplomacy. Visa availability, requirements, and emergency support will provide first aid.
Universities, professional associations, and corporate organisations will keep the dialogue going, regardless of the state of diplomatic relations. Good journalism is important as well; false accusations and inflammatory comments destroy trust faster than diplomats can restore it. Cooperation must rely on strong institutions that work consistently and responsibly. Joint commissions must work on schedule and ensure technical disagreements do not hinder other processes.
Trust comes from accumulating evidence: timely delivery of goods, impartial investigation of border-related cases, immediate flood alerts, clear explanations of electricity bills, and a patient who can visit.
Both Bangladesh and India need an arrangement that lets them come together and cooperate effectively. The best reset will be the one that delivers results in security, opportunity, and cost savings.
Independent media should be considered an essential instrument for rebuilding the relationship between Bangladesh and India, since mutual trust is impossible without mutual understanding. If reporting depended on nationalism rather than truth, tensions between the diplomats could turn into mutual hatred among people. The phrase ‘Godi media’ is used in India to describe media considered too close to the government and highlights the issue of reporting on events and politics. Because criticism of the media in India does not include investigation and discussion, trust is eroding.
Mistrust should not be the recurring tax of geography imposed on Bangladesh and India because ordinary people suffer from it via higher costs, missed chances, and increased fear. Permanent change needs respect for one another, reasonable deals, objective press, and reliable institutions. At the same time, India should defend the Muslims’ rights stated in its constitution and fight any extreme acts of violence and discrimination. The perception of unfair treatment of Muslims in India may fuel distrust in Bangladesh and impede diplomacy. Cooperation is essential to ensure respect for life and dignity. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author
The writer is a Professor and Former Chair, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Savannah State University, Georgia, USA
