By Dr. Sheikh Akram Ali
Relations between Bangladesh and India have always carried the weight of history. Geography makes the two countries inseparable neighbors, but history has often made them uneasy partners. Shared borders, intertwined cultures and deep economic links should have created the foundation for a stable and mutually beneficial relationship. Instead, decades of political mistrust, unresolved disputes and competing national narratives have repeatedly overshadowed opportunities for genuine cooperation. If the relationship is to move forward, it cannot rest on political convenience alone. It must be built on mutual respect, sovereign equality and public trust.
The roots of this complicated relationship stretch back centuries. Bengal experienced successive periods of Muslim rule after the conquest of Nadia by Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji in the early thirteenth century. Over time, Bengal emerged as one of the most prosperous regions of the subcontinent, flourishing under both independent sultanates and the Mughal Empire. That era ended with the Battle of Plassey in 1757, when the East India Company established its dominance over Bengal. The transition marked not only a political change but also a profound social transformation that reshaped relations between religious communities.
For centuries, Hindus and Muslims had largely shared the same social and economic space despite their differences. Colonial rule altered those dynamics through policies that rewarded some groups while marginalizing others. The British strategy of divide and rule widened political and social divisions that had previously been far less pronounced. These policies left a lasting legacy, creating suspicions that would influence politics across the subcontinent well into the twentieth century.
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 further exposed competing political interests. While many Muslims viewed the new province as an opportunity for greater administrative representation, influential sections of the Hindu elite strongly opposed the decision, leading to its reversal in 1911. Debates surrounding educational institutions, including the establishment of the University of Dhaka, reinforced the perception among many Bengali Muslims that their political and cultural aspirations were being resisted. These developments contributed to the gradual separation of Muslim and Hindu political identities.
The constitutional disputes of the following decades accelerated that process. The failure of efforts to establish a durable political settlement convinced many Muslim leaders that separate constitutional safeguards were necessary. Under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Muslim League increasingly argued that Muslims constituted a distinct political community with legitimate claims to self-determination. The Lahore Resolution of 1940 reflected that growing confidence and eventually led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
The events that culminated in Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 remain among the most contested chapters in South Asian history. Political failures, deep mistrust between East and West Pakistan, military intervention and regional rivalries combined to produce a humanitarian tragedy and the birth of a new state. India’s military intervention was decisive in securing Bangladesh’s independence, but the relationship that followed proved far more complicated than many had anticipated.
For many Bangladeshis, expectations of a close and equal partnership gradually gave way to disappointment. Questions surrounding water sharing, cross-border security, trade imbalances and border management increasingly shaped public opinion. The Farakka Barrage became a symbol of concerns over equitable access to shared rivers, while the unresolved Teesta water-sharing agreement continued to fuel frustration. Periodic incidents involving civilian deaths along the border further damaged perceptions of goodwill and reinforced calls for a more balanced relationship.
Domestic politics in Bangladesh also became deeply intertwined with relations with India. Different governments pursued different approaches towards New Delhi, often reflecting broader ideological divisions within Bangladesh itself. Successive administrations either sought closer engagement with India or attempted to diversify foreign relations by strengthening ties with other regional and global partners. As a result, bilateral relations frequently became a domestic political issue rather than simply a matter of foreign policy.
The long tenure of Sheikh Hasina strengthened strategic cooperation between Dhaka and New Delhi in areas including security, trade and connectivity. Yet critics argued that India had become overly invested in maintaining close relations with one political leadership rather than cultivating broader ties across Bangladeshi society. Whether or not that perception is entirely fair, it has become politically influential. Diplomacy that appears to favour governments over people inevitably risks weakening long-term public trust.
The political upheaval of 2024 marked another turning point. Bangladesh entered a period of transition under an interim administration, while debates over democratic legitimacy and political accountability intensified. India’s decision to provide refuge to Sheikh Hasina and its cautious approach towards the new political order attracted criticism from many within Bangladesh. Trade restrictions, visa limitations and renewed border tensions further complicated an already sensitive relationship.
At the same time, Bangladesh has continued to pursue a more diversified foreign policy. Closer engagement with China and other regional powers reflects broader efforts to expand economic opportunities and reduce dependence on any single partner. Such choices should not be interpreted through the lens of geopolitical competition alone. Every sovereign state has the right to shape its foreign policy according to its own national interests. Respecting that principle is essential if regional stability is to be preserved.
None of this means that confrontation is inevitable. Bangladesh and India remain bound by geography in ways that neither country can change. They share rivers, trade routes, environmental challenges and security concerns. Climate change, migration, water management and regional connectivity all demand cooperation rather than rivalry. Neither country stands to gain from prolonged suspicion or political point-scoring.
(The writer is an academic and political commentator in Bangladesh and can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
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