Bangladesh and India share a long and storied relationship. Even outside the country’s undeniable role in helping Bangladesh achieve its independence, India has been one of our most important regional development partners.
Ever since the fall of Awami League’s autocratic government, however, India’s commitment towards nurturing this relationship has come under question. With rampant misinformation being spread regarding the safety of Hindu minorities since the fall of the government and recent provocative statements shared by India’s defense officials, it is evident that both nations need to clear the air when it comes to a plethora of issues.
To this end, we believe India needs to respond to and take up on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ recent call for a dialogue during the upcoming UN General Assembly to be held in New York.
The relationship between Bangladesh and India has never been as strained as it currently is, which is why it is all the more imperative that dialogue be held between the current heads of state of the two countries. Long-standing issues such as Teesta water sharing are still in need of solutions -- an issue which will need to be settled keeping Bangladesh's rights as a lower riparian country and in line with international norms – and, of course, the issue of Bangladeshis being killed along the Bangladesh-India border by the latter’s Border Security Forces.
Needless to say, a meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi must pan out sooner rather than later.
As regional neighbours, it is imperative that Bangladesh and India maintain and build on its historic ties. To this end, the onus lies on India to engage Bangladesh in dialogue.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
