Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a South Asian country located on the Bay of Bengal, bordered by India to the west, north, and east, and Myanmar (Burma) to the southeast. With a population exceeding 160 million people, it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Dhaka, the capital and largest city, is known for its vibrant culture and bustling economy.
The country emerged as an independent nation in 1971 after a bloody war of liberation against Pakistan. Bangladesh's topography is predominantly flat, with the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta dominating its landscape. This fertile delta supports a robust agricultural sector, with rice and jute being key crops.
Economically, Bangladesh has made significant strides in recent decades, transitioning from an agrarian economy to a more diverse one with substantial contributions from the textile and garment industry, remittances from expatriates, and growing IT and service sectors.
Culturally, Bangladesh boasts a rich heritage with a blend of ancient, medieval, and modern influences. Bengali, the official language, is celebrated through its literature, music, and art, with the annual Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) being a major cultural event.
In an exclusive interaction, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India addressed key regional and bilateral issues spanning BIMSTEC, BRICS, and Bangladesh-India relations. Discussing the invitation extended to BIMSTEC for the BRICS Summit, he emphasized that regional platforms bring constructive engagement to multilateral forums. He described the nature of regional integration as cooperative competition, balancing shared interests, values, and mutual respect while recognizing regional asymmetries. Addressing Bangladesh-India bilateral ties, the High Commissioner highlighted the necessity of collaboration between governments and people. He underlined the Teesta water-sharing issue as an essential litmus test for mutual trust, respect, and shared ecological and economic benefits between the two nations, noting the profound human impact on over two crore people. Furthermore, he noted Bangladesh's active commitment to regional mechanisms like BIMSTEC, SAARC, and BBIN, while underscoring that diplomacy and bilateral ties must prioritize human aspirations, dignity, and democratic principles.
A panel of geopolitical experts examined the diplomatic, strategic, and economic dynamics surrounding the expanded BRICS grouping amid ongoing global conflicts in West Asia and Eastern Europe. The discussion addressed the positioning of BRICS as a non-Western developmental platform rather than an anti-Western bloc, highlighting India's foreign policy approach in balancing relations between member nations, China, and the United States. The speakers analyzed global trade dependencies, tariff policies, supply chain realignments, the operational limits of local currency trade mechanisms, and the continuing role of the US dollar in international finance. Additionally, the dialogue assessed the impact of regional hostilities on energy security, focusing on India's diversification of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. The panel also explored multilateral cooperation across the Global South in artificial intelligence governance, the proposal for a formal BRICS secretariat in New Delhi, and regional diplomatic developments involving Bangladesh.
In an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, Lobsang Sangay, former Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, raised serious concerns over the impact of recent Himalayan flash floods in Tibet.
In an interview, Lobsang Sangay, the former Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, raised serious concerns over the fallout from recent Himalayan flash floods affecting Tibet. He stated, "The Chinese government is definitely hiding something," highlighting that Beijing shut down internet communications in the region after the initial 24 hours and barred foreign journalists, United Nations inspectors, and hydro experts from inspecting the disaster-struck zones. Sangay estimated that at least over 100 Tibetans have died in the tragedy. He blamed extensive Chinese state infrastructure projects, including large-scale road drilling, railway construction, and dry ports, for destabilizing the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and triggering glacier breaks. Pointing out that Tibet serves as the water tower of Asia, Sangay noted Beijing's refusal to sign the UN Convention on water sharing and urged downstream countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh to demand accountability for environmental exploitation.
A political confrontation has erupted between the BJP and the Congress over remarks by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during his ‘Chhatro Ki Goonj’ outreach programme in Pune. Speaking about women’s safety and patriarchy, Gandhi cited the Manusmriti and claimed that it promotes the suppression of women. He also accused the BJP and the RSS of seeking to keep women confined. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused Gandhi of insulting India’s cultural heritage, while BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that his remarks reflected a foreign, Marxist agenda aimed at dividing society. Other BJP leaders questioned the Congress’s position on women’s rights in relation to triple talaq, Sharia and the hijab. Congress representative Pankhuri Pathak defended Gandhi, saying he had engaged in a genuine dialogue with young women. In international developments, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran amid discussions over a proposed joint defence agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Investigation Agency reopened investigations into several killings of Kashmiri Pandits, including the 1998 Wandhama massacre.
Pakistan is attempting to expand the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed recently between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, by inviting Iran and Bangladesh into the alliance. The proposed expansion aims to build an Islamic security framework under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella, despite longstanding regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran to mediate between Iran and the United States ahead of potential US economic sanctions. Wearing civilian attire during meetings, Munir's visit is viewed as part of diplomatic efforts following communications involving US President Donald Trump and Pakistani leadership.
A Hindu family has been targeted in Bangladesh, with a retired schoolteacher and three family members found dead inside their locked residence in Dashpara, Rangpur. The victims include the teacher, his wife, daughter, and son. Their bodies were discovered scattered across the house, including on the staircase, the roof, and under a bed. Relatives reported the family went incommunicado after Thursday night with their mobile phones turned off. Local police and the Criminal Investigation Department have launched a high-priority investigation. Authorities noted the home was ransacked, but initial findings suggest it was not a murder for gain, as the family maintained cordial relations with neighbors.
Bangladesh’s India policy appears to be sending mixed signals, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi becoming increasingly uncertain. First, reports suggested that Tarique Rahman could visit India between August 20 and 25 for bilateral discussions. Then Dhaka said an “appropriate” or “conducive” environment needed to be created, linking the issue to Bangladesh’s demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Pakistan's attempt to broker peace between Iran and the United States has collapsed, while Bangladesh has laid down conditions for BNP leader Tarique Rahman's proposed visit to India, marking two significant diplomatic developments in the region.
This edition of Statecraft examines Egypt's decision to abstain from the new defence pact signed in Mecca by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
An Indian-flagged cargo vessel, MSV Faiz Noor Oliya, sank off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea after being struck by an unprovoked projectile attack near the port of Hodeidah.
The Parliament deadlock continues for a third consecutive week as opposition parties intensified efforts to corner the government over the recent crackdown on student protests, demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the July 20 police action.
This special broadcast of India First covers key developments surrounding Big Tech accountability, Indian legislation, and regional politics.
On the second anniversary of her ouster from Bangladesh, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced her plan to return to the country in December, stating she is prepared to face detention or prison to serve her people.
Tamil Nadu dominated the latest round of major developments as Finance Minister Mari Wilson presented the Vijay-led TVK government’s first state budget, announcing welfare measures and new spending priorities.
In this episode of Statecraft, host Geeta Mohan examines major geopolitical developments shaping national security, energy strategy, and global power.
This edition of Statecraft covers major global developments, starting with the potential reshaping of India-UK relations under new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The broadcast examines Burnham's history of prioritising ties with India and his appointment of Kanishka Narayan as the minister for artificial intelligence.
A family from West Bengal has reunited after months of separation. A man, who was wrongly deported to Bangladesh last year, has returned home and met his newborn son for the first time.
In this episode of Statecraft, the focus is on the final negotiations of the India-US trade deal. While both nations have reached the last stages of the agreement, crucial differences remain over agricultural imports and industrial goods.
India is set to resume tourist visa services for Bangladesh from June 28 after months of strained relations. The decision aims to ease tensions at the border, promote tourism, and strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighbouring nations.
