Demystifying the Bangladesh-India-US triangle

October 3, 2024

DHAKA – On the evening of September 23, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lifted off from New York after several days of engagements, including a QUAD summit and a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Several hours later, Dr Muhammad Yunus touched down in New York for four action-packed days that included meetings with Biden, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and many other top world leaders—but not the previously departed Modi.

There was something telling about the visits of these two men: the top leaders of Bangladesh and India were each seemingly working at cross purposes, with each going about his business in the US separately and without engaging the other. It’s a sobering reflection of the state of Bangladesh-India relations today, following 15-plus years of foolproof, fulsome ties during the Sheikh Hasina era.

Each leader’s visit to the US was also indicative of the present state of the Bangladesh-India-US triangle. It can best be described as an isosceles structure, with two long and sturdy sides represented by robust Bangladesh-US and India-US ties, and a short and fragile side marked by shaky Bangladesh-India relations.

Let’s first take the Bangladesh-US relations. They’re in a good place. Yunus is a man whom Washington likes, knows well, and is comfortable working with. A senior US delegation to Dhaka last month telegraphed a crystal clear message: we’re here to help on the development, humanitarian and reforms front. It’s a genuine pledge, and it was amplified at the highest level—by Biden himself—days later.

The India-US ties are also strong. Tension points do abound, from the Khalistan issue to each country’s friendly ties with the other’s main rival. But strong strategic convergences