Bangladesh is a major trading partner for India.
New Delhi: In a major turn of events in Bangladesh last year, Sheikh Hasina’s government fell following protests in August. Subsequently, Mohammad Yunus was appointed head of the new interim government. This change has had a direct impact on Bangladesh’s foreign policy, with India being a prominent name among the affected countries. The way the Mohammad Yunus’ government has strengthened its ties with China and Pakistan has posed a challenge for India to maintain its influence in the region.
According to the Indian Express, with the visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, both countries have moved towards friendship, forgetting decades-old bitterness. Under Sheikh Hasina’s government, Bangladesh had increased cooperation with India in trade, connectivity, and other areas. In contrast, since the arrival of the Yunus government, Pakistan and China’s influence in Bangladesh has grown, leading to a distancing from India.
India’s concern has increased for maintaining its position in South Asia as Bangladesh’s friendship with Pakistan is growing, and China’s influence is also rising in Dhaka. Trade between India and Bangladesh had significantly increased in the last 15 years under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. By the year 2024, it had reached 12 billion dollars. India became the second-largest country selling goods to Bangladesh, but now things have changed.
India’s relations with China and Pakistan have historically been tense. On the other hand, Bangladesh is a major trading partner for India in South Asia. Therefore, cooperation with Bangladesh is very important for India. The growing influence of Pakistan and China in Bangladesh is a matter of concern for India. India will have to keep a close watch on its border with Bangladesh as Pakistan could incite violence in the Northeast.
Several challenges have been observed regarding trade between India and Bangladesh. India has also cancelled the cheap transshipment route given to Bangladesh for exports to third countries. This could harm Bangladesh’s ready-made garment trade. India should keep an eye on the relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh and China’s influence in Dhaka.
