India-Bangladesh Ties at Crossroads: Optimism Must Forge Enduring Bond

• Bangladesh's recent parliamentary elections saw Tarique Rahman's BNP win a strong majority, while Jamaat-e-Islami became the principal opposition.
• The election followed the unseating of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government in 2024 and an interim administration under Muhammad Yunus.
• Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have been strained, complicated by Hasina’s exile in India and perceptions of Indian interference.
• Key issues include the Teesta water-sharing dispute, counterterrorism cooperation, protection of minorities, and the status of Sheikh Hasina.
• Despite tensions, economic interdependence and shared geography provide a foundation for potential partnership, requiring cautious and imaginative diplomacy.