India–Bangladesh relations are shaped by historical memory, geography and shared development interests. Analyse the challenges and the way forward.

India and Bangladesh share history, culture, a long border and transboundary rivers, but asymmetry and historical memory periodically generate mistrust.

• Bangladesh’s liberation involved decisive Indian assistance, yet national identity also seeks an autonomous narrative of liberation. • Geographic encirclement, river dependence and a border exceeding 4,000 km can create anxiety about Indian dominance. • Domestic political changes in both countries often recast bilateral issues through nationalism.

• Cooperation can improve trade, transit, energy, waterways, disaster response and border livelihoods. • Stable Bangladesh supports India’s northeastern connectivity and counters organised crime, trafficking and extremist networks. • People-to-people, linguistic and cultural links can complement formal diplomacy rather than substitute for it.

• Water-sharing, border management, migration perceptions and security concerns require sustained institutional dialogue. • Connectivity must remain mutually beneficial and sensitive to local communities. • India should avoid a purely security-centric approach; Bangladesh needs policy space and respect for sovereign equality.

• Revitalise river-basin cooperation with data sharing, ecological assessment and equitable agreements. • Expand trade facilitation, coastal shipping, rail and energy links while reducing non-tariff barriers. • Maintain quiet diplomacy across political transitions and strengthen civil-society, academic and cultural exchanges. • Build trust through predictable commitments and rapid resolution of local border incidents.

Neighbourhood First; transboundary rivers; border management; connectivity; sovereign equality; water diplomacy; Bay of Bengal