Poll Season Sparks Diplomatic Strains Between India and Bangladesh

India is facing growing diplomatic and political pressure as relations with Bangladesh continue to deteriorate, more than a year after the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to a New York Times report, Hasina was ousted in 2024 after mass protests and later fled to India. Her stay in India has become a major point of tension between the two countries.

Bangladesh’s interim government and opposition groups accuse India of protecting Hasina from accountability. This has fueled strong anti-India sentiment across Bangladesh.

Visa and Trade Ties Affected

The political rift has begun to impact everyday relations. India suspended visa services in Chattogram after protests targeted its diplomatic mission. Officials cited security concerns.

Bangladesh responded by halting visa services for Indian citizens following protests outside its High Commission in New Delhi.

Trade ties have also weakened. India recently ended a transshipment facility that allowed Bangladeshi goods to move through Indian ports. The decision has added economic strain to already tense relations.

Sports Add to the Dispute

Tensions have spread into sports. Reports say protests by right-wing Hindu groups in India led to the exclusion of a Bangladeshi cricketer from the IPL.

In response, Bangladesh announced it would not send its team to India for upcoming World Cup matches. Officials requested that games be moved to a neutral venue, raising fears of an informal sports boycott.

Domestic Politics Drive Hostility

Analysts say domestic politics are worsening the standoff. In Bangladesh, elections scheduled for February have pushed politicians to tap into public anger against India, especially among younger voters.

Many blame New Delhi for backing Hasina’s long rule, which critics describe as authoritarian.

In India, particularly in West Bengal and Assam, reports of attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority have become a political issue ahead of local elections. This has hardened positions on both sides.

India’s Regional Influence Under Pressure

India’s strained ties with Bangladesh highlight broader challenges for New Delhi in South Asia. Critics say India invested too heavily in Hasina’s leadership and failed to prepare for political change.

Analysts argue this approach weakened India’s influence once mass protests forced her from power.

Uncertain Future for Bilateral Relations

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, faces pressure at home while trying to manage relations with India. His requests to extradite Hasina or restrict political activity by her allies in India have been rejected.

With new political forces, including Islamist parties, gaining influence in Bangladesh, India now faces an uncertain and potentially more difficult relationship with its neighbour.

The situation underscores the growing challenges confronting India’s regional diplomacy.