New Delhi is keeping a close eye on Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, which kicked off amid reports of vote rigging and violence. By midday, voter turnout stood at 32.88% across the nation, according to the Election Commission.
Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmad briefed the media from the Election Building, revealing data from 32,789 out of 42,651 polling stations. Voting proceeded peacefully on 299 of the 300 seats, a fragile calm in a nation reeling from political upheaval.
Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government, India-Bangladesh ties have plummeted. The interim administration under Muhammad Yunus has tilted toward Pakistan and China, granting Islamabad unprecedented access. Policies emerging from Dhaka now seem designed to undermine New Delhi’s interests.
India has consistently advocated for democracy’s restoration in Bangladesh, supporting fair and timely elections. Pre-election surveys positioned the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as the frontrunner. Both Indian officials and BNP leaders agree that post-election outcomes will shape bilateral relations.
A BNP victory or a win for Jamaat-e-Islami carries high stakes for India, with security topping the list. Sharing a 4,000-kilometer border—the longest with any neighbor—India relies on a stable Dhaka for peace. Unfenced stretches facilitate illegal immigration, wildlife smuggling, drug trafficking, and counterfeit currency flows.
‘Bangladesh’s stability is our major concern,’ an official noted. A strong government ensures secure borders through dialogue. Terrorism remains a flashpoint, with Yunus’s rule seeing the release of extremists and ISI activation, training youths for potential threats against India.
Pre-Hasina counter-terrorism cooperation was seamless. India seeks its continuation via a democratically elected regime. Economically, Bangladesh is vital to India’s Act East Policy. Hasina-era bonds flourished in trade, energy, and power sectors.
Experts warn instability could unravel decades of progress since 1971. India hopes for a BNP win, easier to engage than Jamaat, though past coalitions show pragmatism persists despite current BNP-Jamaat rivalries.