Dhaka Says It Does Not Want Bitter Ties With ‘Big Neighbour’

Bangladesh’s Finance Advisor, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, said on Tuesday that the interim government is keen to avoid a “bitter relationship with a big neighbour like India” and is instead focused on strengthening bilateral ties with New Delhi amid ongoing regional tensions.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the Secretariat, Ahmed said maintaining stable and constructive relations with India remains a top priority for the government, adding that cordial ties are in the mutual interest of both nations..

“The current interim government does not want any kind of bitter relationship with a big neighbour like India. Rather, our main objective is to further develop bilateral relations while maintaining economic stability,” he said.

Ahmed added that Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is personally engaged in efforts to normalise relations with India and ease tensions. Citing Bangladeshi daily Desh Rupantor, he said the government has no intention of allowing relations with New Delhi to deteriorate.

Addressing recent anti-India rhetoric in the country, Ahmed clarified that such remarks are “purely political” and do not reflect the government’s position. “Irrespective of the political backdrop, the government remains committed to preserving constructive state-level relations,” he said.

He also sought to reassure on trade ties, stating that bilateral trade would not be affected by the current political climate. Ahmed confirmed that Bangladesh has decided to import 50,000 metric tonnes of rice from India, underscoring continued economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Finance Advisor further said the interim administration would not be drawn into provocations or external attempts to strain relations with India and would proceed cautiously while safeguarding national interests and advancing bilateral engagement.

Bangladesh has seen a surge in anti-India sentiment since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year. The period has also been marked by increased political instability, growing proximity between Dhaka’s interim government and Pakistan, and concerns over the rise of Islamic extremist elements.

Speculation surrounding the murder of Hadi—allegedly linked to a “Greater Bangladesh” map he published days earlier—has further intensified anti-India rhetoric in recent weeks.

The country of around 170 million people continues to witness political turbulence as it prepares for general elections scheduled for February, the first since the fall of Hasina’s long-running government.