Bangladesh seeks to 'reset' diplomatic ties with India

Bangladesh-India relations Humaiun Kobir Tarique Rahman bilateral diplomacy post-Hasina era

Bangladesh has expressed its intention to 'reset' diplomatic relations with India, seeking a new bilateral framework based on mutual interests. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir described the relationship during the tenure of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as 'uncomfortable' and characterized the previous era as one of 'excessive preoccupation' with India.

Kobir advocated for a more balanced foreign policy, suggesting that Dhaka should move beyond an 'India fascination' and treat New Delhi as just one of many important neighbors. He emphasized that future engagement should occur through direct bilateral discussions rather than multilateral forums.

The diplomatic shift follows period of tension after India provided refuge to Sheikh Hasina following her ouster in August 2024. Additionally, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently declined to attend the BRICS Summit in India, noting that he had not been invited in his capacity as Prime Minister, but rather as the chair of BIMSTEC.

In a related development, the Bangladeshi government is currently reviewing 101 agreements and MoUs previously signed with India. Prime Minister Rahman is scheduled to travel to New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Entities

Bangladesh · Humaiun Kobir · India · Narendra Modi · Sheikh Hasina · Tarique Rahman

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] Bangladesh seeks to reset its relationship with India through direct bilateral discussions rather than multilateral forums. navbharatlive.com · www.aajtak.in · navabharat.com · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.dtnext.in · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The State Minister for Foreign Affairs described relations with India during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as 'uncomfortable'. navbharatlive.com · www.aajtak.in · navabharat.com · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.dtnext.in · +5 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York starting September 21. www.aajtak.in · en.prothomalo.com · www.dtnext.in · www.timesnownews.com
[DISPUTED] Prime Minister Tarique Rahman did not attend the BRICS Summit in India because he was not invited in his capacity as Prime Minister. www.aajtak.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.dtnext.in · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.timesnownews.com
[● 8 SOURCES] The minister urged Bangladesh to move past an 'excessive preoccupation' or 'fascination' with India to maintain a balanced foreign policy. www.aajtak.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.dtnext.in · en.prothomalo.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · +3 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The Bangladeshi government is reviewing 101 agreements and MoUs previously signed with India. en.prothomalo.com · www.prabhatkhabar.com