Indian Parliamentary Committee Urges Reset in Ties with New Bangladesh Government
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The Indian parliamentary standing committee on external affairs has formally advised the New Delhi government to prioritize a strategic reset in relations with the newly elected administration in Bangladesh. In a comprehensive report presented to the Lok Sabha on Thursday, the committee—chaired by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor—emphasized that Dhaka remains a critical partner for India. The panel recommended that India actively support a democratic, stable, and inclusive Bangladesh, grounding the revived partnership in the shared ethos of 1971 and mutual respect.
The report highlights the recent transition in Bangladesh, where Tarique Rahman has assumed the role of prime minister following the February elections. The committee welcomed the formation of this new, representative government and lauded the recent diplomatic gestures between the two nations, including the participation of the Indian Lok Sabha Speaker in the swearing-in ceremony and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation for a reciprocal state visit. The panel suggested that New Delhi leverage this political transition to resolve long-standing bilateral issues and institutionalize parliamentary exchanges to ensure long-term stability.
Addressing the sensitive matter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has remained in India following her ouster during last year’s mass uprising, the committee sought clarity on pending extradition requests from Dhaka. The Indian government reiterated that the matter is being processed by appropriate authorities in accordance with existing laws and established procedures. Regarding concerns that Hasina might be utilizing Indian soil for political maneuvering, the government firmly maintained that it has not permitted the use of its territory for any political activities or platforms by the former leader.
The committee also raised concerns over the expanding influence of third-party powers, particularly China, in Bangladesh’s infrastructure and defense sectors. Lawmakers urged the Ministry of External Affairs to maintain rigorous oversight of foreign engagements within Bangladesh to safeguard India’s national security interests. In response, the government assured the committee that it is monitoring these developments closely and is prepared to take necessary measures to protect its strategic posture.
Central to the discussion on mending diplomatic ties is the normalization of visa services, which were significantly curtailed following the political unrest in Bangladesh. The committee cautioned that a prolonged visa crisis could stifle “people-to-people” relations, creating a barrier to broader bilateral recovery. While the government noted that current visa issuance—primarily focused on medical needs—is subject to security assessments, it pledged to expand services as conditions stabilize. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi recently confirmed that efforts to streamline and normalize the visa process are already underway.
Finally, the report addressed border security, recommending a transition toward technological solutions in areas where physical fencing is impractical. The committee proposed the deployment of smart sensors, laser-based monitoring, and floating barriers to deter illegal crossings. The Indian government indicated that the Border Security Force is currently evaluating various technical innovations to enhance border management in coordination with state governments and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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