Not happy with BNP’s victory, have to be cautious, tension may increase on these issues now

On 25 December 2025, Tariq Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years. Five days later, his mother and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia passed away. Now after about 54 days i.e. on 17th February, he will take oath as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Bangladesh will get a male Prime Minister after 35 years. There is a lot of discussion in India about the landslide victory of Tariq Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

There is a discussion going on as to how will be the relations between India and Bangladesh under the leadership of Tariq Rahman? Will they take a different path or follow the line drawn by Yunus. However, Tariq Rahman has tried to show a glimpse of Bangladesh’s foreign policy through some of his statements. But the complete picture is expected to emerge after the swearing-in. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from India will attend the swearing-in ceremony to be held in Dhaka on February 17. Even though Tariq Rehman talks about equal relations with his neighboring countries, there are some issues where differences can be seen between the two countries. Let us know about them…

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Fanaticism: India’s biggest concern is the increasing radicalization in Bangladesh. This will be the biggest challenge before Tariq Rehman. From 2001 to 2006, fundamentalists had become very dominant in the BNP government. Lashkar-e-Taiba had made Bangladesh its stronghold. Security challenges had arisen in the north-eastern states including the border areas. India is trying its best that this is not repeated during the rule of Tariq Rehman.

Defense of Hindus: In his first address after winning the elections, Tariq Rehman said that this country belongs to everyone. Everyone is free here. There will be no violence against anyone. But the real test is whether they can live up to their words or not. If violence against Hindus continues in Bangladesh on the lines of Mohammad Yunus regime, it will be almost impossible for Bangladesh’s relations with India to get back on track.

Sheikh Hasina’s return: The biggest reason for the conflict between the two countries is the granting of shelter to Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. The interim government of Mohammad Yunus severely deteriorated relations with India on this issue and presented New Delhi as a villain before its people. Now Tariq Rehman may have to face pressure from his own people on normalizing relations with India on this issue. If you try to take decisions on the basis of public sentiments then it is certain that relations will deteriorate.

River water distribution: BNP had raised the issue of Teesta and Padma rivers in the manifesto. It said that getting fair share of water from both the rivers is an issue of survival. This issue was going on with India for a long time. Rahman says that the water of 54 rivers shared with India is a legal right under international law. He has promised that after coming to power, he will implement the Padma Barrage Project and the China-backed Teesta River Master Plan. It is believed that there may be a conflict with India on this issue.

Bangladesh First: Tariq Rahman says that under his leadership Bangladesh will maintain equal relations with India, China and Pakistan. He argues that the country’s foreign policy will be decided according to the interests of the public. ‘Bangladesh First’ policy will be given importance. Rahman says he wants good relations with neighbours, but unequal compromise or behavior will not be tolerated. This policy of his may also come in the way of improving relations with India.

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What are the indications from the statement of Rahman’s advisor?

Some analysts believe that relations between India and Bangladesh will be better under the leadership of Tariq Rahman than under Mohammad Yunus, but Sheikh Hasina will not be able to compensate. Under the leadership of Rahman, Bangladesh wants balanced and equal relations with India. While on one hand India has objections on some issues, on the other hand Bangladesh also has objections on some issues.

This is also reflected in a statement by Tariq Rehman’s advisor Humayun Kabir. Humayun Kabir says that the BNP government will try to build balanced relations with all countries including India. We want a balanced relationship. Will not limit our relations to any one country. The special thing is that he criticized Sheikh Hasina government because it was more inclined towards New Delhi. Not only this, Kabir also raised the issue of growing Hindu fundamentalism in India.