Notwithstanding, India-Bangladesh Relations at Crossroads Experts urge India to pursue dialogue to maintain regional stability amid growing tensions and controversial remarks from Bangladesh’s interim government,.
India-Bangladesh Relations despite being at Crossroads and as political developments unfold in Bangladesh and contentious remarks by the country’s interim leadership spark fresh concerns, experts on South Asian geopolitics are urging India and Bangladesh to maintain open channels of dialogue and deepen bilateral cooperation. The call for engagement comes against a backdrop of regional volatility and the growing strategic significance of India’s northeast.
The discussions took place during the two-day symposium “Future Roadmap – North East India 2030 & Beyond: Prospects and Challenges,” held in Agartala. The event was jointly organized by the Assam Rifles, Asian Confluence — a leading Northeast India-based think tank — and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sreeradha Datta, a prominent South Asia expert and professor at a private university, emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic engagement between India and Bangladesh to navigate the recent tensions.
“Despite immediate security concerns, there is considerable scope for recalibration and improvement in India-Bangladesh relations,” Datta said. “The current moment demands constructive dialogue between both governments to rebuild mutual confidence and prevent long-term deterioration in ties.”
Datta’s remarks come in the wake of controversial comments by Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, during his recent visit to China — remarks that many in India viewed as diplomatically insensitive.
Riva Ganguly Das, former Secretary (East) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs and ex-High Commissioner to Bangladesh, termed the statement “unfortunate” and cautioned against reading too much into temporary political posturing.
“While such comments are regrettable, they must be viewed within the larger context of a transitional political phase in Bangladesh,” Das said. “Over the past decade, we’ve made remarkable progress in bilateral connectivity and people-to-people ties. These achievements should not be lost due to short-term disruptions.”
Das highlighted milestones such as the operationalization of passenger trains, increased freight movement through Chittagong and Mongla ports, the inauguration of the Feni Bridge, and the enhanced functionality of the Sabroom Integrated Check Post in Tripura. These developments, she noted, have facilitated trade and significantly improved subregional connectivity.
She also praised India’s northeast-focused foreign policy pillars — Act East, Indo-Pacific outreach, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), and the Neighbourhood First Policy — as critical frameworks for stability and development.
“India’s northeastern region plays a pivotal role in regional diplomacy. Any instability in Bangladesh can have a ripple effect here. Therefore, it is vital for both nations to act with maturity and strategic foresight,” she added.
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The symposium was inaugurated by Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu and saw participation from top officials of the Assam Rifles, defense veterans, academics, policymakers, and regional stakeholders. The event aimed to examine how Northeast India can evolve as a strategic and economic hub by 2030 while also dealing with external and internal security concerns.
Maj. Gen. Suresh Bhambhu, Inspector General Assam Rifles (East), underscored the need to tap into the vast, underutilized resources of the region.
“The Northeast is not just a frontier region but a gateway to Southeast Asia. Its socio-economic development hinges on improved connectivity, security, and regional cooperation,” he noted.
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Lt. Gen. Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC 3 Corps, delivered the closing remarks, acknowledging the complexity of the current security landscape and the value of multi-stakeholder dialogue in shaping the region’s future.
“Security is just one facet. We must also focus on economic resilience, human development, and integration of local communities into national growth narratives,” Pendharkar said.
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Veteran Lt. Gen. K. Himalaya Singh (Retd) also spoke on the importance of leveraging defense-civil cooperation for holistic development, particularly in border areas often neglected in policy implementation.
The symposium served not only as a platform for analysis but also as a call for a united, forward-thinking approach to regional diplomacy and development. As political uncertainties loom in Bangladesh and external pressures mount, experts agree that India’s best strategy lies in continued engagement, mutual respect, and commitment to long-term regional stability.
