Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman attends a press conference on February 14, 2026. | Photo credit: Reuters
India remains “cautious” in setting its expectations for working with the incoming Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) administration, but its chairman Tarique Rahman has a development agenda that may provide an opportunity for both sides to normalize relations, The Hindu has learned from senior diplomatic sources aware of plans in this regard.
The Indian side has closely followed Mr Rahman’s campaign and found that his 31-point agenda has several areas, such as his plans in the digital domain and infrastructure building, that can help ties that have stalled in the previous 17 months due to many factors, including the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s flight to India on August 5, 2024.
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Mr Rahman, who returned after more than one and a half decades of exile in the UK on 25 December 2025, was welcomed by a huge crowd and subsequently support for him and his party was seen at the funeral prayers for his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on 31 December. However, it was his election campaign that drew attention away from playing cards against everything in the respective quarters. It was found that the anti-India card was not directly played by his opponents Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) but often referred to the India factor in their election speeches through codes like “force for hegemony”. In contrast, Mr Rahman stuck to his 31-point plans, which pledged to build an inclusive ‘Rainbow Nation’, and reiterated the BNP’s opposition to “terrorism, extremism and militancy”.
In his election campaign, Mr Rahman promised to “enhance regional and international trade and commerce through infrastructure development, technical modernization and upskilling in all sea and river ports”. The Hindu was told that these pledges are being explored in Delhi for possible areas of cooperation. In addition, both sides will have issues such as the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty later this year, which are also being studied.
Under pressure
Mr Rahman is expected to take charge as Bangladesh’s new prime minister on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) and is under considerable pressure to deliver on his duties on the foreign policy front. To questions from journalists in the first press interaction on Saturday (February 14, 2026), Mr. Rahman indicated that he would decide on international cooperation based on the national interest of Bangladesh.
Asked about Bangladesh’s stance on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Mr Rahman said: “We will try to protect the interests of the Bangladeshi people. Naturally, if something is not in Bangladesh’s interest, we cannot pursue it. I am sure that common interests will be our first priority.” While India and Bangladesh maintained ties during the 17 months of the caretaker government, the two sides did not host each other’s top leaders during this period. Therefore, the relationship and especially the big connectivity projects took a hit during this period. In addition, both sides have experienced stressful phases, as witnessed in December 2025 after the assassination of young Islamist leader Sharif Osman Hadi, when mobs threatened Indian diplomatic missions and visa centers.
An estimated 49 agitations were organized in 17 months to threaten Indian missions in Bangladesh. One of the main expectations, The Hindu has learned, would be that the new administration would ensure the safety and security of India’s diplomatic missions and visa centers so that visa services, vital to trade and people-to-people relations, could be normalized by both sides.
However, the relationship will face considerable strain due to the political activities that ex-prime minister Hasina and her former colleagues continue to operate from Indian cities. While Ms. Hasina’s Awami League remains banned here, Mr. Rahman spoke out against the “revenge” policy and said the wrongdoings of the previous regime would be brought to justice.
Published – 15 Feb 2026 21:41 IST