On December 30, 2025, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, mother of Bangladeshi democracy, the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 79 in Evercare Hospital, Dhaka. Her death created vacuum in the political landscape in the South Asia. About 2–2.5 million attended her funeral at the South Plaza of the Parliament Building in Dhaka. Many foreign dignitaries had attended the funeral. The Ambassadors of different foreign missions in Dhaka alongside External Affairs Minister Jayshankar of India, Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq of Pakistan, Foreign Minister Bala Sharma of Sri Lanka and others attended the funeral on December 31. The tour of S Jayshankar was heavily significant.
Starting this article with an interesting fact: Due to adverse situation in Dhaka for Indian nationals, S Jayshankar avoided using the national flag of India amid security concerns, according to various sources. After the passing Prime Minister Modi of India conveyed condolences on X,
Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our heartfelt condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the strength to bear this irreparable loss. Her significant contributions to the development of Bangladesh and the advancement of India–Bangladesh relations as the country’s first female Prime Minister will remain forever memorable. I recall my friendly meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her thoughts and legacy will continue to guide our partnership in the future as well. I pray for the peace of her soul.
He also attached the photos with Khaleda Zia during their meeting in Dhaka, 2015. Jayshankar paid a 4 hour short visit in Dhaka, met with the BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman to convey official mourning message of his PM due to the passing of his mother. He also met Foreign Adviser Touhid , Law Adviser Asif and Security Adviser Khalilur. He avoided meeting with the Chief Advisor Professor Yunus. Click here to see the mourning message.
Analysts claim that India will assume Tarique as the democratically elected future head of the government after the scheduled general election on February 12, 2026. The diplomatic establishment of India related to Bangladesh assessed that bypassing Yunus is a good idea. So he met the 17 years exile facing son of Bangladesh Tarique to express India’s support to Bangladesh Nationalist Party. This is a surrender for India who was in denial mode since the ousting of “Dictator Hasina” on August 5, 2024. But having supported by India is a very bad sign for BNP’s voting politics, which could hurt the fate of the Premiership of Tarique Rahman in the general election.
Why??
It is because of the growing anti India sentiment in Bangladesh. Especially the youth who led the 2024 student people uprising directly opposed the Indian interference in Bangladeshi politics. They refused to accept the idea of Indian imperialism in Bangladeshi land. The right wing extremist BJP government of India always taunted the idea of “Undivided Hindustan” , which is indeed a myth in modern world. India itself refused to have good relations with the neighbor Bangladesh after the ousting of Hasina. In their view, Bangladesh was achieved independence with the very help of Indian soldiers. But claiming “Liberation War of Bangladesh” as “India-Pakistan War of 1971” is incorrect. And as a writer I directly condemned it cause they only fight with us for 25 days started on November 21, 1971 to December 16, 1971. When someone like Prime Minister Modi claimed it on X that “Liberation War of Bangladesh is India’s victory”, then it is clear that the Indian diplomatic, military and security establishment wants Bangladesh as their 29th state to complete the unfinished “Undivided Hindustan”, which is nearly impossible. So they treat Bangladesh as their colony with a puppet government. Hasina was their puppet Prime Minister of Bangladesh who ruled brutally for 15 years.
But the youth woke up on June 5, 2024 and with a 36 days demonstration, on August 5, 2024, Hasina fled the country to India and granted political asylum. The long standing regime of South Asia ended with a bloody student uprising in 2024. The Gen Z of Bangladesh is different and arrogant to deal with issues like the sovereignty and dignity of Bangladeshi people. Remember, Bangladesh is often called the defenders’ paradise. India tried to gain Bangladeshi lands after 1971, but failed cause the people, especially the youth doesn’t like to have interference or foreign intervention. So if BNP turned out as the proxy and compromised the sovereignty of Bangladesh, the people will answer even harder than they did with the Awami League. So, if BNP comes to the power, they need to show respect to Bangladesh and its people when they navigate relations with the Indian counterpart. Otherwise, they will be labeled as “Indian Brokers”. Remember one thing, India never support BNP, always they prefer Awami League. But in a different situation, they need the help of BNP to facilitate the homecoming of Awami League in mainstream politics. So be careful to recalibrate relations with India.
People and the establishment thought that the visit of Jayshankar will normalize Dhaka-Delhi relations. But in reality, there is one incident happened, which is noteworthy, let me tell you that.
The left arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, who was known as “cutter master” was sold in mini auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the Kolkata Knight Riders on December 9, 2025. He was released due to security concerns in India on January 3, 2026. It is not for any performance reasons. The situation was created due to threats of extremist Hindu organizations in India. Mustafizur was purchased by KKR for $1010987, which is the highest ever bid for any Bangladeshi player in IPL. The press statement of KKR attached here.
What is the security concern ?
There is a uncomfortable situation diplomatically between the two neighboring states, Bangladesh and India. The Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong was tried to vandalize by the extremist protesters of Bangladesh after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi. The different Anti India demonstrations marching the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was happened after the death. The Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, alongside Assistant High Commission in Tripura, Kolkata and Bangladesh Visa Center in Siliguri was targeted by the Indian terrorist organizations. Agartala High Commission was heavily vandalized by the extremist right wing Hindu terrorist organizations.
The religious leaders alongside BJP politicians opposed the visit of Bangladeshi Muslim Mustafizur Rahman to play for KKR. So BCCI directed the KKR franchise to release the Bangladesh T20 legend. India is a country who can only use their influence in cricket. Imagine, Mustafiz were a football player, played for ISL. The ISL unlawfully released him. What will be the response from FIFA? They would fined or banned Indian football. During the AFC Asia Cup 2027 qualifiers, India could refuse to visit Bangladesh, but they didn’t because, FIFA is strict in maintaining their rules, which is: If you refused to send the national team, the opponent will receive 3 points without playing and serious consequences in upcoming international schedule. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said,
Due to recent developments going on all across, the BCCI has instructed the franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad
According to BBC Sport, Last month, a Hindu man was accused of blasphemy and beaten to death by a mob in Muslim-majority Bangladesh in an episode that resulted in protests by Hindu nationalist groups in India. So India is a country which is merged politics with sports, religion and culture. Only they can show their influence in cricket, not soccer. Their hostility is active with Pakistan in sports, especially in cricket after the deadly terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008.
After the unlawful release of Mustafizur, the Government of Bangladesh alongside Bangladesh Cricket Board took immediate action against the decision. Here is the BCB Media Advisory. BCB refused to send national team to India in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starting on February 7. They requested to ICC to relocate their matches in another co-host country. The Government of Bangladesh also banned IPL broadcasting in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an order following the events.
In the end, mutual respect, non-interference, and recognition of Bangladesh’s hard-won sovereignty will bring stability to Dhaka-Delhi relations rather than symbolic visits or selective engagements. Anything less will simply worsen the rift, and Bangladeshis today have demonstrated that they are ready to take serious action.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Bornil Amin On Unsplash
