Policy pivot? India watchful as Bangladesh engages Pakistan

Bangladesh seeks more ‘diplomatic room’ with Pakistan outreach amid India concerns

Analysts say the new government in Dhaka is trying a ‘balancing act’ in the region that could signal more businesslike ties with its neighbours

A delegation of 12 senior Bangladeshi bureaucrats attended an executive training programme at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore from May 4 to May 21, a move analysts said reflected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s attempt to give Bangladesh more diplomatic room after years of close alignment with India under ousted former leader Sheikh Hasina.

The outreach comes as India closely watches Bangladesh’s foreign policy direction, particularly the normalisation of ties with Pakistan and the growing domestic influence of Islamist parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, which Delhi fears could revive security concerns along its eastern flank.

Indian observers noted that only a small number of officials had gone to Pakistan, while Delhi continued to host multiple Bangladeshi delegations across areas including e-governance, public policy and education.

At the same time, Rahman’s government has moved to reset diplomatic ties with India after an extended period of strain under a previous interim government.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman visited Delhi last month, the first high-level political engagement between the two countries after the new government in Dhaka took office following elections in February.