PM Rahman's Bangladesh First; A New Test for Dhaka–Delhi Relations

Bangladesh–India relations are entering another sensitive phase as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi draws diplomatic attention. The proposed visit, reportedly being discussed for the 20–25 August window, comes amid unresolved political and legal issues between the two neighbours.

At the centre of the tension is the presence of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in India. Dhaka has sought her extradition, while New Delhi has said the request is being examined through its legal framework.

For Bangladesh, however, the proposed visit represents more than a diplomatic engagement. It is also a test of what the government’s declared “Bangladesh First” approach means in practice.

From Proximity to Partnership

Bangladesh and India cannot simply choose to ignore each other. The two countries share a long land border, rivers, historical connections, economic interests and strategic geography. Trade, transit, energy, border management, water sharing and regional connectivity all require sustained engagement.

Yet geographical proximity does not automatically create political trust.

The relationship has faced significant strain since the political upheaval of 2024 and Sheikh Hasina’s departure to India. Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition, while India has maintained that the request is being considered according to its legal procedures.

On 16 August, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said Dhaka had asked India to expedite the extradition of Hasina and other fugitives and called for a “propitious environment” for Rahman’s bilateral visit.

High-level visits are rarely only about protocol; they are also instruments of diplomacy and bargaining.

The situation demonstrates how unresolved political questions can influence wider bilateral relations and determine the conditions under which diplomatic engagement takes place.

The Hasina Question

For Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India is not simply a bilateral inconvenience. The issue is connected to accountability, sovereignty and domestic political stability.

Her public political activity from India has consequently remained highly sensitive. Bangladesh has objected to such activity, arguing that it undermines the environment necessary for improved bilateral relations. India, meanwhile, has maintained that Bangladesh’s extradition request is being reviewed according to its legal procedures.

The two governments therefore face different expectations about the path toward normalization.

Dhaka wants political space before deeper normalization, while New Delhi has an interest in maintaining political engagement as a means of managing the relationship. The difference may appear narrow, but it can affect both the pace and substance of bilateral diplomacy.

The proposed visit could therefore provide an opportunity to establish a framework for addressing the most difficult disagreements between the two countries.

What Does “Bangladesh First” Mean?

The phrase sounds straightforward, but its real test is not in political speeches. It is in negotiations.

A genuinely Bangladesh-first foreign policy would not require hostility toward India. Nor would it require Bangladesh to distance itself from every major power.

Instead, it would mean evaluating every relationship through a basic question:

What does Bangladesh gain, and what does Bangladesh give in return?

That calculation should apply equally to India, China, the United States, Japan, the European Union and other partners.

For Bangladesh, several interests remain closely connected to its relationship with India:

• Trade: Bangladesh wants greater market access, balanced trade and fewer barriers affecting exports.

• Water: Shared rivers remain one of the most sensitive areas of the relationship and require institutional mechanisms rather than periodic political promises.

• Border management: Both countries have an interest in a stable border, while Bangladesh has a direct interest in reducing deaths, tensions and disputes along the frontier.

• Energy and connectivity: Cross-border electricity and transport links can create economic benefits, but their strategic value depends on reciprocal gains.

• Regional security: Bangladesh can contribute to regional stability without allowing its foreign policy to become dependent on a single external power.

From Slogan to Strategy

“Bangladesh First” can become meaningful only if it develops into a coherent policy framework. Otherwise, it risks remaining another political slogan.

Bangladesh’s position between major regional and global actors makes strategic autonomy particularly important. India is its immediate neighbour, China is a major economic partner, the United States remains important for trade and strategic relations, while Japan and the European Union are significant development and economic partners.

Dhaka therefore does not need to treat diplomacy as a binary choice.

India also has substantial interests in maintaining stable relations with Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s geography is important for access toward India’s northeastern region, the country participates in regional connectivity projects and represents a significant neighbouring market. Stability in Bangladesh also has implications for India’s border security and regional strategic interests.

This creates space for negotiation.

If Rahman’s proposed visit takes place, its success should not be measured by ceremonial welcomes, joint photographs or diplomatic language. The real test will be whether both sides can make progress on difficult issues, including the extradition question, border security, water-sharing concerns, trade access, energy cooperation and regional connectivity.

Bangladesh does not need a permanent enemy. It also does not need a permanent patron.

It needs reliable partners, reciprocal agreements and sufficient strategic space to make independent decisions.

That is where “Bangladesh First” must ultimately prove itself.

Because putting Bangladesh first is easy to declare.

The difficult part is making every negotiation prove it.