As Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman begins his visit to New Delhi, the symbolism is as significant as the substance. This is not just another round of bilateral talks between Bangladesh and India; it is a test of whether both countries are prepared to move beyond a difficult recent past and construct a more balanced, durable partnership.
For nearly a year and a half, Dhaka-Delhi relations were under severe strain. The post-election political transition in Bangladesh has opened a new chapter -- one marked by both opportunity and suspicion. In this context, the foreign minister's visit should be understood as an "advance guard," setting the tone for a potential reset before leadership-level engagement.
At its core, the visit is about restoring trust.
A central challenge facing both governments is the perception gap that has widened in recent years. Many in Bangladesh believe that India's support played a decisive role in sustaining the previous Awami League government through controversial elections in 2014, 2018 and 2024. Whether New Delhi accepts this characterisation or not, the sentiment is politically real -- and diplomatically consequential.
If this visit is to succeed, India must recognise that its future relationship with Bangladesh cannot be anchored in partisan preferences. A stable bilateral partnership requires engagement with the state, not with any single political force. For Dhaka, too, managing public expectations will be crucial; rhetoric must not outpace diplomatic pragmatism.
In that sense, the visit is less about resetting policy overnight and more about resetting tone.
Security cooperation has long been the backbone of India-Bangladesh ties. Over the years, Dhaka has demonstrated a consistent willingness to address New Delhi's concerns about insurgent groups operating along the border. That commitment must continue -- and be clearly reaffirmed.
At the same time, the issue of border killings remains deeply emotive in Bangladesh. Incidents involving India's border forces have repeatedly strained goodwill and undermined the narrative of partnership. A credible mechanism to reduce, if not eliminate, such incidents is essential.
The 4,096-kilometre border is not merely a line of control; it is a shared human space. Turning it into a zone of stability rather than tension will require both sides to move beyond security-centric thinking and incorporate humanitarian considerations.
For India, this means demonstrating restraint and accountability. For Bangladesh, it means continuing its zero-tolerance approach to cross-border militancy. Mutual reassurance -- not mutual suspicion -- must define the security agenda.
The timing of the visit is not incidental. Global uncertainties -- from conflicts in West Asia to disruptions in supply chains -- have made regional cooperation more urgent. The vulnerability of energy routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, underscores the need for alternative strategies.
Here, the Bay of Bengal emerges as a critical space for collaboration. Bangladesh and India have an opportunity to develop it into a stable corridor for trade, energy and connectivity. This will require coordinated investments in ports, shipping infrastructure and energy grids.
Connectivity, too, remains a key pillar. Expanding rail, road and river links can transform the economic geography of the region -- linking Bangladesh more deeply with India's northeast while opening Indian markets further to Bangladeshi goods. But connectivity must be a two-way street. Projects that are seen as disproportionately benefiting one side will struggle to gain public legitimacy.
Trade imbalances are another persistent concern. While bilateral trade has grown, it remains skewed. Addressing this will require more than tariff adjustments; it demands a broader effort to facilitate Bangladeshi exports and reduce non-tariff barriers.
No discussion of India-Bangladesh relations can avoid the issue of water sharing. Longstanding disputes -- most notably over the Teesta -- continue to cast a shadow over bilateral ties. Progress here has been elusive, often due to domestic political constraints within India.
Yet, without movement on water issues, the promise of a truly equitable partnership will remain incomplete. Water is not just a resource; it is a symbol of fairness and mutual respect.
One of the key expectations from this visit is that it will lay the groundwork for a future meeting between the top leaders of the two countries. For such a meeting to be meaningful, the preparatory work must be substantive.
This is where the role of India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval becomes crucial. Their discussions with Khalilur Rahman will need to move beyond generalities and address specific deliverables.
Diplomacy often operates in increments, but moments of transition demand clarity. Both sides must identify a set of achievable outcomes -- whether on trade facilitation, border management or energy cooperation -- that can demonstrate progress.
Underlying all these issues is a more fundamental question: what kind of relationship do India and Bangladesh want?
For India, Bangladesh is not just a neighbour; it is central to its "Neighbourhood First" and "Act East" policies. For Bangladesh, India is both an opportunity and a challenge -- a partner whose proximity is unavoidable but whose influence must be carefully managed.
A sustainable relationship will require a shift from hierarchy to partnership. This means recognising Bangladesh not as a junior partner but as a sovereign actor with its own strategic priorities.
It also means acknowledging that public opinion matters. In an era of heightened political awareness, bilateral relations cannot be insulated from domestic perceptions. Policies that ignore this reality are unlikely to endure.
While much of the focus is on India's role, Bangladesh, too, has responsibilities. It must clearly reassure India that its territory will not be used for activities that threaten Indian security. This has been a cornerstone of cooperation in the past and must remain so.
At the same time, Dhaka should articulate its expectations with clarity and consistency. Ambiguity may offer short-term flexibility, but it rarely produces long-term stability.
The goal should not be to renegotiate every aspect of the relationship, but to recalibrate it in a way that reflects current realities.
The visit of Khalilur Rahman is, ultimately, an opportunity. It offers both countries a chance to move beyond the constraints of the past and build a relationship based on mutual respect, equality and trust.
But opportunities are not self-executing. They require political will, diplomatic skill and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
For India, this may mean reconsidering policies that are perceived as one-sided. For Bangladesh, it may mean balancing domestic pressures with strategic necessity.
And finally, the zealots in both the countries must be prevented from using religion to brew up communal hatred for political dividends.
If handled well, this visit could mark the beginning of a more mature phase in Dhaka-Delhi relations -- one that is resilient enough to withstand political changes and flexible enough to adapt to a shifting global landscape.
If mishandled, it risks reinforcing the very mistrust it seeks to overcome.
The stakes, therefore, are high. What is expected from this visit is not a dramatic breakthrough, but something perhaps more valuable: a credible pathway towards a partnership that works -- for both sides, and for the region as a whole.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com