India-Bangladesh relations will need a “complete reset” following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decisive victory in the country’s parliamentary elections, senior BNP leader Humayun Kabir said, signalling a significant shift in Dhaka’s foreign policy outlook after the political transition. Speaking in an interview with India Today TV, Kabir — a close aide to Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman — argued that the diplomatic framework developed during former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure is no longer relevant in the context of the new political mandate.
The BNP secured a commanding win in the 13th general elections, capturing 209 seats and achieving a two-thirds parliamentary majority. Kabir described the outcome as a clear endorsement of Rahman’s leadership and political vision, saying the scale of the mandate reflected strong public confidence in the party’s direction for Bangladesh’s future. According to him, the electoral verdict has fundamentally reshaped the country’s political landscape and requires neighbouring countries, particularly India, to reassess their approach toward Dhaka.
Addressing bilateral ties with New Delhi, Kabir said India must recognise that the political environment which existed under Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League has changed. He emphasised that previous patterns of engagement cannot simply continue under a new administration and called for adjustments on both sides to build a more balanced and forward-looking relationship. While urging India to acknowledge the political transformation in Bangladesh, he added that the incoming BNP government would itself adopt a constructive and “positive mindset” aimed at reducing misunderstandings and strengthening cooperation.
Kabir pointed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi being among the first world leaders to congratulate Tarique Rahman following the election victory as a welcome signal. He also described Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Dhaka for the funeral of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia as a constructive diplomatic gesture. According to Kabir, such developments could serve as a foundation for opening a new phase of engagement focused on stability, peaceful coexistence, and shared economic growth between the two neighbours.
He also addressed the sensitive issue of Sheikh Hasina’s continued stay in New Delhi following her departure from Bangladesh after the political upheaval of 2024. Kabir referenced past incidents during the Awami League era that he claimed reflected political sensitivities influencing bilateral interactions, suggesting that relations moving forward should avoid similar complications. On the question of whether a BNP government would pursue Hasina’s extradition under existing agreements between the two countries, Kabir said any decision would be handled strictly through legal and institutional mechanisms rather than political considerations.
Discussing foreign policy priorities, Kabir indicated that Rahman’s government would initially focus on domestic challenges before undertaking major diplomatic engagements abroad. Economic recovery, development initiatives, and improving living standards would take precedence following what he described as a “historic mandate” from voters. International visits, including a potential trip to India, would be considered later once internal priorities are addressed.
Summarising the BNP’s outlook, Kabir said both India and Bangladesh must move beyond decades of mistrust and political rhetoric to establish a more pragmatic partnership. He argued that a revised framework of cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests could help usher in a new chapter in bilateral relations, expressing cautious optimism that with changes in approach on both sides, the two countries can rebuild ties on more balanced and sustainable terms.
