7. India-Bangladesh Relations: Strategic Priorities of the BNP Government

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by its chairman Tarique Rahman, has secured a landslide victory in the February 2026 parliamentary elections. This political transition after two decades marks a critical juncture for New Delhi-Dhaka ties. The incoming administration has signaled a shift toward \'balanced relations\' and \'national interest-first\' diplomacy, focusing on long-standing irritants and time-bound treaties. Key Summary Points for UPSC• Extradition of Sheikh Hasina: The BNP government has identified the continued presence of former PM Sheikh Hasina in India as a major diplomatic hurdle. Following her conviction by a special tribunal in 2025, Dhaka is expected to formally press for her extradition to face trial for \'crimes against humanity.\' • Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996): A highpriority item is the renewal of this 30-year treaty, set to expire in December 2026. The BNP emphasizes a \'fair and balanced\' renegotiation that accounts for climate change and Bangladesh’s downstream agricultural needs. • Ending \'Border Killings\': The BNP manifesto and leadership have demanded an immediate halt to lethal fire by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). They argue for a \'humane\' border management approach where suspected smugglers are arrested rather than shot. • Medical Visa Liberalization: Citing India’s role as a primary healthcare destination, the BNP has urged New Delhi to relax medical visa restrictions. They warn that continued denial might push Bangladeshis to seek alternatives in countries like China, impacting people-to-people connectivity. • Strategic Autonomy and \'Friendship, Not Mastery\': The party\'s \'Bangladesh Before All\' doctrine signals a move away from perceived unilateral influence. The BNP seeks a relationship based on \'mutual respect and equality\' rather than political patronage. • Revival of Regional Frameworks: The new leadership has expressed interest in reviving the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) to foster integrated economic and security cooperation in the subcontinent. Constitutional and Legal Provisions • Article 51 (DPSP): Mandates India to promote international peace, maintain just relations, and respect treaty obligations—relevant to the Ganga Treaty renewal. • India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty (2013): The legal framework governing the exchange of convicts. Article 6 includes a \'political offense exception,\' which often becomes a point of contention in high-profile extraditions. • Article 253: Grants the Indian Parliament power to make laws for implementing international treaties. Any new water-sharing pact will be governed by this provision. • The BSF Act, 1968: Governs the conduct of the Border Security Force. While it allows the use of force for border protection, international human rights standards advocate for \'non-lethal\' measures in civilian areas. Important Definitions • Riparian Rights: The rights of a country (like Bangladesh as a lower riparian state) to the water of a river that flows through its territory. • Joint River Commission (JRC): A bilateral body established in 1972 to manage the 54 shared rivers between India and Bangladesh. • Note Verbale: A formal diplomatic communication used to seek extradition or raise official concerns between foreign ministries. • July Charter: A set of constitutional reforms in Bangladesh proposing a bicameral legislature and a two-term limit for the Prime Minister. Conclusion The return of the BNP introduces a \'reset\' phase in India-Bangladesh relations. While economic interdependence remains high, the political friction surrounding Sheikh Hasina and the fast-approaching 2026 deadline for the Ganga Treaty will test the maturity of New Delhi\'s \'Neighborhood First\' policy. A successfultransition will require India to balance its security concerns with the democratic aspirations of a newly reconfigured Bangladeshi polity. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper II: India and its neighborhood relations; Bilateral agreements involving India and affecting India’s interests. • GS Paper III: Internal security challenges and border management (BSF role, cattle smuggling, and border fencing). • International Relations: The shift in South Asian geopolitics following the 2024 uprising and 2026 elections in Bangladesh.