Security considerations remain a keystone of India’s regional policy, with particular focus on its ties with neighboring countries, noted Pankaj Saran, Convenor of NatStrat, a Delhi-based independent center for strategic and security issues.
Speaking to a visiting Bangladeshi media delegation at the Sushma Swaraj Institute, Saran highlighted India’s eagerness to open a “new page” in its relationship with Bangladesh following recent elections.
“We need to observe how the new government in Bangladesh will manage relations with China, Pakistan, and the United States, and determine India’s role in that dynamic,” said Saran, a former senior official in India’s Prime Minister’s Office, National Security Council Secretariat, and Ministry of External Affairs, who also served in multiple Indian missions abroad.
Pankaj Saran emphasised that India’s neighborhood policy is dual-faceted: securing its own national interests while engaging constructively with neighboring states, excluding Pakistan. He noted that China’s ties with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar have significant implications for India’s regional strategy.
The former Indian diplomat, with over four decades of experience in foreign, strategic, and national security matters, stressed the importance of fostering stable relations amid global uncertainties.
“Despite the challenges we face, we have not descended into extreme hostility. We should strive to teach conflict resolution through peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Highlighting the political developments in South Asia, Saran praised the emergence of genuine democracies in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, noting that new leaderships in these countries signify a fresh political chapter.
He pointed out that India currently experiences frozen diplomatic relations with Pakistan, while instability in Myanmar poses challenges shared with Bangladesh.
Regarding Bangladesh, Pankaj Saran lauded India’s swift engagement following the recent elections. “The day after the election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which was promptly acknowledged. This contrasts sharply with previous regimes and sets the stage for a renewed bilateral relationship,” he said.
Saran further noted the appointment of India’s new High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, a seasoned politician, as a reflection of the Indian Prime Minister’s personal interest in strengthening ties with Dhaka.
He also reflected on the past challenges in Bangladesh-India relations, particularly between 2001 and 2006, when concerns over the use of Bangladeshi territory for attacks on India led to strained ties and stalled cooperation.
“During that period, dialogue nearly ceased. India raised concerns, Bangladesh denied them, and progress suffered,” Pankaj Saran recalled.
“Regardless of who governs in Delhi or Dhaka, the historical, geographical, and cultural bonds between our nations remain unchangeable. The relationship is inherently deep and resilient,” he concluded.
The media delegation from Bangladesh, visiting India from 3-9 May, included AKM Moinuddin, president of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh. Adviser of NatStrat Shantanu Mukharji also participated in the discussion.
