India watches the ripples as Pak, Bangladesh reconnect

Islamabad-Dhaka overtures have sparked measured interest in New Delhi, as historical grievances, shifting alliances, and China's influence reshape the regional dynamics. But all these developments may not hurt Indian interests tangibly, foreign policy experts tell SUBHAYAN CHAKRABORTY

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It was a scene few in South Asia's diplomatic circles would have predicted until August last year: Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif extolling the virtues of closer ties with Bangladesh. At a recent reception in Islamabad hosted by the Bangladeshi High Commissioner, Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan, Asif declared that both countries were eager to "deepen" economic, political and cultural engagement. The remarks followed foreign secretary-level bilateral talks in Dhaka—the first of their kind in nearly 15 years.

The remarks, broadcast widely by Pakistani news outlets, came in the shadow of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's exile in India (she has presumably been living in New Delhi for over eight months now). Furthermore, the development has not gone unnoticed in New Delhi, particularly as India-Pakistan ties reels from the fallout of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Last week, a former Bangladesh army officer and close aide of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus suggested that Dhaka should collaborate with China to occupy India's northeastern states if it attacked Pakistan. Though Dhaka quickly distanced itself from the comment, the episode has further vitiated India-Bangladesh relations.