Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh After 17 Years, Poised for PM Role. What it Means for India, Pakistan.

• Tarique Rahman, BNP acting chairman, returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, signaling a major political shift ahead of 2026 elections.
• Widely seen as the front-runner for Bangladesh's next Prime Minister, his return follows the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government.
• Experts like Michael Kugelman and Jon Danilowicz view his homecoming as a defining moment, with BNP poised for a comeback.
• Rahman adopted a "Bangladesh First" stance ("Not Dilli, not Pindi"), calling for unity and a balanced foreign policy.
• His potential leadership could strain ties with India, which relied on Hasina's alignment, and offers a mixed opportunity for Pakistan given his nationalist posture.

Why It Matters: Tarique Rahman's return reshapes Bangladesh's political future, impacting regional dynamics with India and Pakistan.