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Thebilateral relations between the neighboringPeople's Republic of Bangladesh and theRepublic of India, formally began in 1971 with India's recognition of an independent Bangladesh (which was formerly known as East Pakistan) following India's military intervention in support of theBangladeshi resistance forces in theirwar of independence againstPakistan.
Although some disputes remain unresolved, the relations between the two countries have been characterised as cooperative.[1][2][3] Bangladesh and India are common members ofSAARC,BIMSTEC,IORA and theCommonwealth. The two countries share many cultural ties. In particular, Bangladesh and the east Indian states ofWest Bengal andTripura areBengali-speaking. A historic land boundary agreement was signed on 6 June 2015 which settled decades-oldborder disputes,[4] while negotiations are still ongoing over the sharing of water of thetransboundary rivers.
In recent years, Bangladesh has seen risinganti-India sentiments among its citizens due to the Indian government's perceived anti-Muslim and anti-Bangladeshi activities including India's interference in internal politics of Bangladesh,killings of Bangladeshis by Indian BSF,Citizenship Amendment Act, rise ofHindutva in India,anti-Bangladeshi misinformation in Indian media as well as India's reluctance in solving the water disputes in common rivers with Bangladesh.[5][6][7][8] In 2019, several Bangladeshi ministers cancelled their scheduled state visits to India as a response to India's Citizenship Amendment Bill.[9] In 2021,massive protests in Bangladesh against the state visit by Indian PM Narendra Modi to the country led to the deaths of at least 14 people.[10] Furthermore, India continued to support former Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina during her tenure, even as her administration has faced accusations of increasing authoritarianism andcorruption.[11][12] Additionally, India provided shelter to Sheikh Hasina afterher resignation in theStudent–People's uprising in Bangladesh, which further boosted Bangladeshi people's anger towards India.[13]
The links between the republics of modern-day India and Bangladesh are civilizational, cultural, social, and economic. There is much that unites the two countries – a shared history of the end and common heritage originating from theBengal region, linguistic and cultural ties, passion for music, literature and the arts.[14][non-primary source needed] Both the countries were under theBritish Raj during the colonial era, with Bengal having been the first major region conquered by the British, and British India's capital having been established in Calcutta (now Kolkata - very near the modernIndia-Bangladesh border) until 1911.[15]Rabindranath Tagore, the BengaliPolymath fromcolonial India created the national anthems of both today's Bangladesh and India in 1905 and 1911 respectively.[16]
The initial basis for modern-day Bangladesh came with the 1905partition of Bengal.[17] Though this was reversed in 1911 amid much uproar, Bengal still lost some of its prestige with the simultaneous announcement at theDelhi Durbar that the capital was to be moved to Delhi.[18] During thepartition of British India in 1947, theBengal region was again partitioned based on religious lines,[19] andEast Bengal was transferred under theDominion of Pakistan andWest Bengal under theDominion of India. East Bengal was later renamed asEast Pakistan during the implementation of theOne Unit Scheme,[20] after which in 1971, theBangladesh Liberation War occurred which resulted in its independence from Pakistan. The Indian Republic was a strong ally during the war, due to which it fought theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971.[21]
From the mid-1970s, however, relations worsened because Bangladesh developed closer ties withMuslim nations, participated in theOrganization of the Islamic Conference, and increased emphasis on Islamic identity over the country's ethnolinguistic roots.[22] The two countries developed differentCold War alliances in the 1980s, which further chilled bilateral relations.[23][24] However, the state visit byPresident Ershad in 1982 was perceived as a "new chapter" in relations.[25] With the onset ofeconomic liberalization in South Asia, they forged greater bilateral engagement and trade. The historicGanges Water Sharing Treaty was concluded in 1996. India and Bangladesh are close strategic partners incounter-terrorism. They are also one of the largest trading partners in South Asia.[26]
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India in 2010 to sign a number of deals.[27] Indian Prime MinisterManmohan Singh visited Dhaka in 2011 to sign number of deals.[28] Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh which was historic as land boundary agreement was solved in 2015.[29]
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Throughout thepremiership of Sheikh Hasina between 2009 and 2024, India and Bangladesh enjoyed the best time in their bilateral relationship.
In September 2011, the two countries signed a major accord on border demarcation to end the 4-decade old disputes over boundaries. This came to be known as theTin Bigha Corridor. India also granted 24-hour access to Bangladeshi citizens in the Tin Bigha Corridor. The agreement included exchange of adversely held enclaves, involving 51,000 people spread over 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India. The total land involved is over 24,000 acres.
[30][31] On 9 October that year, Indian and Bangladeshi armies participated in Sampriti-II (Unity-II), a 14-day-long Joint military exercise at Sylhet to increase synergy between their forces.[32]
In 2012, Bangladesh allowed India'sOil and Natural Gas Corporation to ferry heavy machinery, turbines and cargo throughAshuganj forPalatana Power project in southernTripura.[33]
From October 2013, India started exporting 500 megawatts of electricity a day to Bangladesh on a cross-border power line that opened that month.[34][35]
Indian External Affairs MinisterSushma Swaraj visited Bangladesh in her first official overseas trip in June 2014. During her first official overseas visit, Foreign Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj concluded various agreements to boost ties. They include:
Since Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi's state visit to Bangladesh during June 2015 and the visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in 2017, as many as 22 agreements were signed by two sides. Notable developments included resolution of long-pending land and maritime boundaries asserting the issue of enclaves, conclusion of over ninety instruments comprising in the hi-tech areas, i.e., electronics, cyber-security, space, information technology, and civil nuclear energy and observed increase in bilateral trade from US$9 billion to US$10.46 billion in the fiscal year (FY) 2018–19, preceded by US$7 billion to US$9 billion in FY 2017–18, an increase of 28.5 percent. During the visit India extended a US$2 billion line of credit to Bangladesh & pledged US$5 billion worth of investments. As per the agreements, India'sReliance Power agreed to invest US$3 billion to set up a 3,000 MW LNG-based power plant (which is the single largest foreign investment ever made in Bangladesh).Adani Power also pledged to set up a 1600 MW coal-fired power plant at a cost of US$1.5 billion.[36] The agreements included the ones on maritime safety co-operation and curbinghuman trafficking and fake Indian currency. Modi also announced aline of credit of $2 billion to Bangladesh.[36][37][38] The Bangladeshi government initiated three significant infrastructure projects with the backing of India's financial assistance. These projects encompassed a power plant and railway links among other crucial developments.[39]
In 2018, the leaders of both the countries inaugurated the 130 km long Bangladesh-India Friendship pipeline to supply 4 lakhtonnes of diesel to Bangladesh. In September 2018, the Bangladesh cabinet approved the draft of a proposed agreement with India to allow it to use theChittagong andMongla sea ports for transporting goods to and from its land-locked northeastern states.[40][41]
On 7 May 2015, theIndian Parliament, in the presence of Bangladeshi diplomats, unanimously passed the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) as its 100th Constitutional amendment, thereby resolving all 68-year-old border disputes since the end of the British Raj. The bill was pending ratification since the 1974 Mujib-Indira accords.
At midnight of 31 July 2015, Bangladesh and India swapped territories along their ill-defined border. More than 15,000 people became citizens of India while 36,000 people took Bangladeshi citizenship after living without nationality for decades. Ending a prolonged dispute, the two nations swapped 162 enclaves on the border region, allowing the people living there to stay or opt out to the other country.[42]
According to India's foreign secretary,Vikram Misri, prime ministerNarendra Modi was among the first foreign leaders to greetMuhammad Yunus after he assumed office as Chief Adviser.[43] However,August 2024 Bangladesh floods hampered Bangladesh–India relations.[44]
In early December 2024, the tensions between the two countries reduced after a diplomatic visit by India's foreign secretary. He called on the Yunus and the meeting concluded on a positive note. The foreign secretary conveyed that New Delhi envisaged "joint and concerted efforts" and desired increased engagement with Dhaka. However, he also raised the issue of attacks on cultural and religious sites. Yunus described relations with India as "very solid".[43]
On 25 December 2024, the Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma expressed optimism about Bangladesh–India relations, highlighting mutual benefits from their growing capabilities. A "strong support" for a "democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive" Bangladesh was stated by the high commissioner. The high commissioner also said that New Delhi and Dhaka have a strong stake in each other's progress and prosperity.[45]
On 1 January 2025, an interview of the Bangladesh Army ChiefWaker-Uz-Zaman with Prothom Alo English hinted at a positive outlook towards India. General Waker emphasized the importance of a balanced and mutually beneficial relationship between Bangladesh and India. He acknowledged both countries' dependence on each other, with India playing a significant role in trade, work, and medical services. Waker stressed the need for fairness and equality in their interactions, ensuring Bangladeshis didn't feel dominated, preserving national interests while fostering good relations. The relationship was described as a "give and take". When questioned on security cooperation, the general stated that Bangladesh would not do anything that goes against India's strategic interests and expected India to reciprocate.[46] On the same day, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs AdviserMd. Touhid Hossain mentioned that Bangladesh's ties with India would "extend beyond a single issue" and assured that maintaining good relations with India was among the priorities in 2025.[47]
On 4 April 2025, Yunus and Modi met each other for the first time since the resignation of Hasina in August 2024. Both leaders engaged in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of 6thBIMSTEC summit inBangkok.[48][49] Amongst the discussed topics, were extradition of Hasina, border killings, Ganges andTeesta River water sharing,persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, and provocative statements made from the both sides.[50][51][52] Press SecretaryShafiqul Alam described the meeting as "constructive, productive, and fruitful".[53] In the meeting, Yunus also gifted a picture of Modi honouring him in 102nd Indian Science Congress in 2015.[54] Bangladesh's largest oppositionBangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) welcomed the meeting, with its General SecretaryMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir calling it a "ray of great hope".[55]
On 26 June 2025, Bangladeshi Adviser of Foreign Affairs Md Touhid Hossain noted that Bangladesh–India relations were going through a "readjustment phase", while refuting the claim to be frozen & asserting that Bangladesh had always been open to engage with India.[56]
On 6 December, Bangladesh and India celebrate Friendship Day commemorating India's recognition of Bangladesh and the continued friendship between the two countries.[57]
Since November 2013, a "Wagah Border-like ceremony" was being organised atPetrapole-Benapole border checkpoint. The ceremony included parades, march-past and lowering of the national flags of both the countries at sundown on the eastern border.[58]
In November 2015, Bangladeshi Commerce MinisterTofail Ahmed was critical of India's2015 Nepal blockade, stating that "blockades hit at agreements like theBBIN".[59]
In 2019, the Indian Parliament passed theCitizenship Amendment Act (CAA),[60] following which Bangladesh's Foreign MinisterAK Abdul Momen and Home MinisterAsaduzzaman Khan cancelled their trips to India.[9] Later, ministerShahriar Alam also cancelled his visit to India.[61]Sheikh Hasina was critical of the CAA, describing it as "not necessary", but nevertheless affirmed CAA and theNational Register of Citizens were "internal matters" of India.[62]
In 2023, Bangladesh backed India in itsdiplomatic feud with Canada over the killing ofHardeep Singh Nijjar, describing Canada as a "hub for murderers".[63]
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Bangladesh-India bilateral trade was over US$10 billion in 2018–19.[64][65] Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh stood at US$6.6 billion in 2013–14 with India's exports at US$6.1 billion and imports from Bangladesh at US$462 million, representing more than double the value of US$2.7 billion five years ago.[66]
Bangladesh cabinet approved a revised trade deal with India under which the two nations would be able to use each other's land and water routes for sending goods to a third country, removing a long-standing barrier in regional trade. Under the deal India would also be able to send goods toMyanmar through Bangladesh. It incorporated a provision that the deal would be renewed automatically after five years if neither of the countries did not have any objection.[67]
During the state visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in September 2022, she has urged with Indian businesses to invest in her nation's burgeoning manufacturing, energy, and transportation sectors, as well as its infrastructure projects. In his response to her invitation, CII PresidentSanjiv Bajaj discussed energy and infrastructure, as well as the ways in which connectivity can be utilized to promote shared prosperity. He went on to say that "India's experience withDigital India ought to be utilized in order to better sync it withDigital Bangladesh in order to provide more opportunities for digital and financial inclusion."[68]
In 2011, India approved a $750 million loan for developing Bangladesh infrastructure[69] and offered another $1 billion soft loan for infrastructure development in 2014.[70]
India has been of indirect assistance for the creation of cement sector in Bangladesh that eventually propelled it to the league of top 20 cement producers in the world. India and France first brought cement production to Bangladesh. In 1974, the French companyLafarge decided to set up a factory in Sylhet that used limestone from the Indian state of Meghalaya.[71]
During the first 6 months right after theliberation war, until June 1972, India committed $220 million or approximately $1.6 billion if adjusted with inflation as of 2024, to Bangladesh which made it the largest aid provider at that time.[71]
India has provided Bangladesh about $7.862 billion through four different Lines of Credit (LOC) programs, making Bangladesh the largest recipient under India's LOC initiative. This assistance has supported infrastructure development across various sectors, with 14 projects successfully completed out of 43 under implementation as of 2021. By October 2021, $865 million had been disbursed, and contracts worth over $990.85 million had been awarded in the preceding three years, with an additional $325.58 million in the finalization stage. India's active coordination with Bangladesh's Economic Relations Division (ERD) and other stakeholders has significantly improved project execution speeds, fostering mutual progress and regional development.[75]
During Sheikh Hasina's four-day visit to New Delhi in April 2017, Bangladesh and India signed two defence agreements, the first such agreements between India and any of its neighbours. Under the agreements, the militaries of the two countries will conduct joint exercises and training. India will help Bangladesh achieve self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing, and will also provide the Bangladesh military with expert training, and technical and logistic support. India also extended its first ever defence-related line of credit to a neighbouring country, by providing Bangladesh with $500 million to purchase defence equipment.[76]
Also, the militaries of the two countries have played quite an extensive role in taking up common issues to enhance and conduct training programmes to deal with counter terrorism issues, natural disasters, ensure Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Reliefs (HADR). In March 2019,Indian Army'sGOC-in-C of theEastern Army Command,General M.M. Naravane visited to theChief of Army Staff, of BangladeshGeneral Aziz Ahmed to hold talks related to boosting of Intelligence sharing between the 2 countries along with developing other areas of defence cooperation. The visit has most importantly come up at the time, when Myanmar decided to take strong actions in order to act against the operating insurgent groups which were operating foiling up terrorist activities on both the sides of India and Myanmar, along with that had discussions on various options to enhance the conduction of Military exercises at a more rapid and strong scale.[77]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "India would not like to impose anything which Bangladesh may find not suitable to its requirement. The bilateral document under consideration is aimed at institutionalizing the existing mechanism and streamlining the ongoing cooperation between both the countries", an official said. A potential joint road-map for developing theblue economy in the area was discussed.[78]
Also, both Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh, had welcomed their initiatives for developing a closer effort to strengthen Maritime Security Partnerships and also they appreciated the finalization of aMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to the establishment of a Coastal Surveillance Radar System in Bangladesh'sChittagong andMongla ports.[79]
During Sheikh Hasina’s 2019 state visit to New Delhi, she held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and its efforts to promote regional peace and stability. Both leaders acknowledged that terrorism remained a major threat and reaffirmed their shared commitment to eliminating it in all forms. They also noted ongoing cooperation between the two countries, including agreements reached during the Bangladeshi home minister’s visit to India in August 2019 to strengthen collaboration against terrorism, extremist groups, arms and drug smuggling, counterfeit currency, and organized crime.[79]
According to the Diplomatic Bluebook for 1972 published byMoFA Japan, India acted behind the scenes in 1972 which led to the recognition of Bangladesh by 98 countries which subsequently helped unlocked $1,300 million in aid. Indian bid for recognition of Bangladesh at UN faced tough opposition from Pakistan and China and the process was prolonged.[80] Bangladesh was eventually recognized by the United Nations in September 1974.
In 2016 a deal between Modi and Hasina was criticized. Bangladeshi critics accused the deal for setting a high price for the import of electricity, especially fromTripura. Equipment for the plant was sent through Bangladesh which waived most of the transit fees.[81]Adani Power said on 8 November 2017 its arm Adani Power (Jharkhand) has inked long-term pact withBangladesh Power Development Board to supply electricity from its upcoming 1,600 MW plant atGodda in Jharkhand.
Readymade Garments account for majority of Bangladesh's exports, but the sector itself is heavily reliant on import of Cotton from countries like India, China, and Brazil. Bangladesh's economic boom reliant on this sector relies heavily on raw materials imported from India.[82] According to The Observatory of Economic Complexity, in the year 2022 alone, raw cotton accounted for about 21% of Indian exports to Bangladesh. Bangladesh imports cotton primarily from India at about $942 million.[83][84]
Every year 200 Bangladeshi students receive ICCR scholarships.[85] India has offered scholarships for meritorious Bangladeshi under and post graduate students and PhD researchers to undertake studies in traditional systems of medicines likeAyurveda,Unani andHomeopathy, according to Indian High Commission in Dhaka.[86] In 2017, 400 Indian medical students protested in Chittagong after they failed to register with the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council.[87][88]
Following the J-7 crash in Milestone School, Indian Prime Minister Modi extended condolences and medical help to Yunus administration.[89][90] An Indian medical team was sent to help.[91]
Bangladesh started mass COVID-19 vaccinations with India's Serum InstituteCovishield vaccines on 7 February 2021.[92] Due to a second wave of COVID-19 in India, the vaccine export was halted. It hampered the vaccination program in Bangladesh.[93]
In April 2021, Bangladesh sent medicines and medical equipment to India following the deterioratingCOVID-19 situation in India. The relief package consisted of approximately 10,000 vials ofRemdesivir, (produced in Bangladesh byBeximco) anti-viral injections, oral anti-viral, 30,000 PPE kits, and several thousand Zinc, Calcium, Vitamin C and other necessary tablets.[94] In May 2021, the government of Bangladesh sent a second consignment of COVID-19 relief consisting of antibiotics, paracetamol, protective equipment and hand sanitiser.[95]
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A major area of contention has been the construction and operation of theFarakka Barrage by India to increase water supply in theRiver Hooghly. Bangladesh insists that it does not receive a fair share of theGanges waters during the drier seasons, and gets flooded during the monsoons when India releases excess waters.[citation needed]
Deaths of Bangladeshi citizens in theIndo-Bangladesh border became one of the embarrassments between the two nation's bilateral relations in recent years. The so-called "shoot-to-kill" policy by India'sBorder Security Forces (BSF)[96] that according toHuman Rights Watch killed nearly 1,000 Bangladeshis between 2001 and 2011 has remained at the core of the talks between Bangladeshi and Indian officials visiting each other.[97] Indian officials visiting Bangladesh including theIndian foreign ministers and BSF chiefs numerously vowed to stop BSF shootings, but Bangladeshi nationals, comprising mostly illicit border crossers, have continued to be shot dead by the Indian troops.[98]
While anger grew in Bangladesh because of the continued BSF shootings and subsequent deaths,[96][99][100] Indian officials argue that heightened security has followed the increasing flow ofillegal migrations into India as well as continued misuse of the border byillicit traders. Indian officials, vowing to cut down the number of casualties at border, showed statistics that the number of Bangladeshi deaths was in a steady decline in recent years.[98] The Bangladeshi deaths caused by BSF shootings at the border became subject to a so-calledcyber war between the hackers of the two countries that took the websites of BSF,National Informatics Centre andTrinamool Congress as victims.[101] The government of Bangladesh was found to comment on the issue condemning the cyber attacks on Indian websites.[citation needed]
The Bangladesh side has also been found to have indulged in violation of border between the two countries. One such incident was the2001 Invasion of the Padua or Pyrdiwah Village. Between 16–19 April 2001, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) intruded into Pyriduwah, Meghalaya, triggering border tensions. Heavy firing followed in Boraibari, Assam, on 17–18 April, during which 16BSF personnel went missing. India engaged through BSF and diplomatic channels, demanding an end to hostilities, BDR withdrawal, and restoration of the status quo, which, according to India'sMinistry of External Affairs, was completed by 19 April.[102] When the bodies of the 16 missing personnel were returned on 20 April, some of them showed signs of mutilation, with eight soldiers shot at point-blank range "through the eyes". The incident raised grave concerns over violations of international norms and human rights. In photographs circulated in the media, some Bangladeshi villagers could be seen carrying the body of one of the victims of the killings dangling by his hands and feet from a bamboo pole "like a dead tiger". The unprovoked intrusion and the inhumane treatment and killing of the soldiers was condemned by India.[103][104] The soldiers did not die during skirmishes but were killed after the fighting ended as evident in the case of Deputy Commander Mandal where rigor-mortis was just setting in after his corpse was returned indicating death within a period of 24 hours.[102]
Attempts have been made to reduce killings on the border. BSF brought about a policy change to minimize fatalities in shooting incidents involving trespassers and pledged use of non-lethal weaponry that may not kill hostiles at a safe distance and may only cause fatalities should the hostile actors get too close with intent to kill.[105]
In late November 2024, several reports of desecration of Indian flags and ISKON emblems emerged. The incidents reportedly took place at theBangladesh University of Engineering and Technology,Bogra Government Polytechnic Institute,Dhaka University, andNoakhali Science and Technology University.[106]
On 2 December 2024, members of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity attacked the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission inAgartala, Tripura. They entered the premises and "took down theBangladesh flag, set it on fire, and caused some vandalism inside the building".[107] India'sExternal Affairs Ministry expressed regret over the incident in Tripura capital and assured Bangladesh that it was "stepping up security arrangements" at Bangladesh missions in India.[108] On 3 December 2024, the Indian police also made seven arrests related to the incident which was described by India's foreign ministry as "extremely regrettable".[109]
There have also been disputes regarding the transfer ofTeen Bigha Corridor to Bangladesh. Part of Bangladesh is surrounded by the Indian state of West Bengal. On 26 June 1992, India leased threebigha land to Bangladesh to connect thisenclave with mainland Bangladesh. There was a dispute regarding the indefinite nature of the lease. The dispute was resolved by a mutual agreement between India and Bangladesh in 2011.[110]
Terrorist activities targeting India are carried out by certain terror-outfits based in Bangladesh, like Ansarullah Bangla Team affiliated to Al-Qaeda andHarkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami.[111]
Illegal Bangladeshi immigration into India has also been a major area of contention in the relations.[112] The border is porous and migrants are able to cross illegally, though sometimes only in return for financial or other incentives to border security personnel.[112] Bangladeshi officials have denied the existence of Bangladeshis living in India and those illegal migrants found are described as having beentrafficked.[112] This has considerable repercussions for those involved, as they are stigmatized for having been involved in prostitution, whether or not this has actually been the case. Cross border migrants are also at far higher risk ofHIV/AIDS infection.[citation needed]
Bangladeshi cyberattacks on India largely took the form of hacktivist activity by Mysterious Team Bangladesh, a group founded in 2020 that gained international attention in 2022. Since mid-2023, the group carried out more than 750DDoS attacks and over 70 website defacements, with about 34 percent of its targets located in India, primarily aimed at disrupting websites and spreading political or ideological messages.[113]
India-basedhacktivist groupTrojan 1337, known for politically motivatedcyberattacks against nations with strained relations with India, too gained attention.[114] Active since 2023, the group has targetedBangladesh andPakistan,defacing government and educational institution websites, notably on India's Independence Day (15 August) in 2023 and 2025, including attacks on Savar Union Parishad, Rohitpur Union Parishad, and several schools like Rupnagar Government Secondary School.[115][116][117] The actions included data breaches such as theNational Board of Revenue (NBR) breach and aDhaka WASA Scada was hacked.[118][119]
Both Bangladesh and India made claims over the same seawater at theBay of Bengal before settlement of the issue.[120]
There was a minor hiccup in the relations of the two nations when Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh claimed that "25% of Bangladeshis are anti-Indian", during an informal press meet.[121]
In 2019, despite Bangladesh's efforts, Bangladeshi media claimed increased anxiety among a section of people withanti-India sentiments while a sudden rise in illegal border-crossing was observed after theCitizenship Amendment Act.[122] Several Bangladeshi ministers cancelled their scheduled state visits to India as a response to India's Citizenship Amendment Bill.[9] In 2021,violent protests in Bangladesh against the state visit by Indian PM Narendra Modi to the country led to the deaths of at least 14 people. The protesters, mostly from theHefazat-e-Islam, also attacked Hindu temples and a train in eastern Bangladesh.[123][124]
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Bangladesh and India have been major cricket-playing nations since the colonial era. Bangladesh got Full membership at theInternational Cricket Council in 2000 with India's help.[125] The two countries also share kabaddi as a traditional heritage, with India'sPro Kabaddi League helping to grow the game in Bangladesh.[126]
We've a very special relationship with India. The relationship is the friendliest. The friendship of Bangladesh and India is in our hearts. The bonds of friendship will remain firm and long-lasting," she quoted Bangabandhu as saying in 1972.
India doesn't look at what relationships are there with other countries when it celebrates the "uniqueness" of its "special relationship" with Bangladesh, he said on a day when President Kovind held wide-ranging talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart M Abdul Hamid.
By 1974, Pakistan had recognised Bangladesh, and Mujib ... began participating in the Organization of the Islamic Conference. This, in turn, brought an end to the early positive phase of Bangladesh's relationship with India ... Saudi Arabia to recognise Bangladesh ... Zia's new emphasis on building a stronger Islamic identity in place of the earlier emphasis on an ethnolinguistic foundation. This shift also contributed to the creation of a more anti-Indian domestic political climate ... Ershad's government continued to build on the positive relation that Zia started building with the United States ... Relations with China also continued to remain close, but unlike Zia, Ershad did not make any effort to maintain friendly relations with the Soviet Union.
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