India-Bangladesh ties have to be based on mutual interests: EAM Jaishankar

India-Bangladesh relations represent one of the most significant bilateral partnerships in South Asia, rooted in shared history, culture, and geography. The recent statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi — emphasizing that ties must be based on "mutual respect" and "mutual interest" — signals a nuanced diplomatic recalibration amid evolving political dynamics in Bangladesh following the 2024 transition after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and the subsequent interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. This shift comes after over 15 years of deepening cooperation under Hasina's Awami League government, which saw landmark agreements on land and maritime boundaries (2015 Land Boundary Agreement), water sharing (Ganges Water Treaty, 1996), connectivity (BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, though Bhutan withdrew), and counter-terrorism. India's "Neighbourhood First" policy, articulated since 2014, positions Bangladesh as a cornerstone of its Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Economically, Bangladesh is India's largest trade partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade exceeding $18 billion in 2023-24, and Indian investments in energy, textiles, and infrastructure growing steadily. Strategically, the Siliguri Corridor ("Chicken's Neck") makes Bangladesh vital for India's access to Northeast India, while Chittagong and Mongla ports offer critical maritime connectivity. The 2024 political shift has introduced uncertainties — including attacks on minorities, concerns over Jamaat-e-Islami's influence, and potential Chinese inroads — prompting India to adopt a cautious, principle-based engagement. Constitutionally, Article 51(c) of the Indian Constitution directs the State to "foster respect for international law and treaty obligations," guiding such diplomacy. The Ministry of External Affairs, under the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961, manages these relations. Future implications include renegotiation of the Teesta water-sharing agreement, managing cross-border migration and Rohingya refugees, countering radicalization, and balancing China's Belt and Road Initiative projects in Bangladesh. For aspirants, this exemplifies how domestic politics in neighbouring states directly shapes India's foreign policy calculus — a recurring theme in UPSC GS Paper II and international relations.