“Dhaka should use Delhi’s outreach to move beyond Yunus-era strain”, First Post, August 03, 2026
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 marks a decisive step in restoring equilibrium to one of India’s most vital neighbourhood relationships. After the turbulent period following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024 and the subsequent interim administration under Muhammad Yunus, New Delhi has chosen measured, high-visibility engagement over isolation.
Rahman, who led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a landslide victory in the February 2026 elections, received the invitation as a special guest in the outreach segment, reflecting Bangladesh’s current chairmanship of BIMSTEC. This gesture builds on an earlier invitation extended soon after Rahman took office and comes at a moment when both sides acknowledge the need to normalise ties that had reached an all-time low. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has consistently prioritised pragmatic diplomacy that protects national interests while creating space for cooperation on trade, connectivity, water resources and regional stability.
The invitation signals that Delhi is prepared to engage directly with the elected leadership in Dhaka, setting aside the bitterness of recent years and focusing on shared prosperity for nearly 1.6 billion people. It underscores the continuity of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy even when political transitions create temporary friction. By hosting Rahman at a global forum that India chairs, PM Modi demonstrates confidence in India’s rising stature and its ability to shape multilateral conversations that include its immediate neighbours. The move also counters external pressures and reinforces that stable, democratic governments in the region serve India’s long-term strategic goals…….”
Read full article at firstpost.com
