NEW DELHI, June 1, 2025 – The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, faces mounting pressure to establish a clear roadmap for elections and implement sweeping reforms. From New Delhi’s vantage point, the stability and democratic future of Bangladesh are paramount, given the deep historical ties, extensive economic cooperation, and shared security concerns. For India, a stable and democratically elected government in Dhaka is crucial for maintaining regional security, controlling cross-border issues like illegal migration and radicalisation, and ensuring the smooth progress of vital connectivity projects under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies. The current state of uncertainty, however, has triggered concerns in South Block.
The key sticking point remains the timeline for the next general elections. While Dr. Yunus’s interim setup has hinted at polls sometime between December 2025 and June 2026, major Bangladeshi political forces, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and even sections of the Bangladesh Army, are advocating for polls by December 2025. India, through its Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has consistently articulated its stance, emphasizing the urgency of holding “free, fair, and inclusive elections at the earliest.” This aligns with calls for a swift return to democratic process, reflecting India’s preference for a legitimately elected government in its closest eastern neighbour.
Reports from Dhaka indicate a significant ideological divide. The newly emerged National Citizen Party (NCP), backed by the student movement that brought down the previous regime, insists on comprehensive institutional reforms before elections, a process that risks prolonged delays. The fate of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a staunch ally of India for over a decade and a half, remains a critical aspect observed from New Delhi. Having fled Dhaka in August 2024 following widespread protests and seeking refuge in India, her presence here has been a sensitive diplomatic matter.
In a dramatic development today, Sunday, June 1, 2025, Sheikh Hasina has been officially charged with “crimes against humanity” by prosecutors of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. The charges, filed by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, allege her role in ordering mass killings during the nationwide uprising in July 2024 that led to her ouster. This comes weeks after the interim government, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, suspended the registration of her Awami League party, effectively banning it from future electoral participation.
For India, the legal proceedings against Sheikh Hasina and the ban on the Awami League raise complex questions. The MEA had previously expressed “concern” over the ban on the Awami League, calling it a “troubling development that undermines democratic freedoms” and stating that India is “naturally concerned about the curtailment of democratic freedoms and shrinking political space.” Hasina’s long tenure saw robust cooperation with India on security, connectivity, and trade, including cracking down on anti-India insurgent groups. New Delhi’s perceived past support for the Hasina regime has, at times, fueled anti-India sentiment in certain sections of Bangladesh’s population.
Beyond the political jostling, India remains wary of the broader implications of prolonged instability in Bangladesh. The MEA has also expressed concern over reports of the release of “violent extremists” and emphasized the interim government’s responsibility to protect minorities. While the interim government rejects claims of India “destabilizing” Bangladesh, asserting that such accusations are attempts to “deflect attention from the real issue,” New Delhi’s focus remains squarely on the early restoration of normalcy and democratic order in its vital neighbour.
The situation in Bangladesh, therefore, is not merely an internal affair for Dhaka; it is a critical regional concern that India is closely monitoring, advocating for a path that ensures stability, democratic continuity, and continued cooperation in South Asia.
