Bangladesh seeks fresh start with India under new government

Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Sunday that his country wants to establish a new relationship with India based on mutual interests and bilateral engagement. The statement marks a significant shift in tone from the previous administration, with Kobir characterising the tenure of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a period of strained ties.

"We want to move towards a new relationship, which should be done through bilateral discussions," Kobir told reporters, indicating Dhaka's readiness for structured dialogue with New Delhi. The remarks reflect the interim government's broader effort to recalibrate Bangladesh's foreign policy following political transitions in the country.

The diplomatic reset comes days after Bangladesh clarified that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman did not receive a separate invitation to the BRICS Summit hosted by India. Instead, India had extended invitations to Rahman in his capacity as chairman of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), along with a standing bilateral invitation that had been in place since February.

The new Bangladesh government appears intent on addressing longstanding bilateral issues and establishing a framework for cooperation that both sides view as equitable. Officials have emphasised that renewed engagement should prioritise shared regional interests and mutual development goals.