'Ties With India Saw Setbacks Under Yunus-Led Interim Regime': Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor

Last Updated:February 06, 2026, 07:41 IST

Md Touhid Hossain noted India Bangladesh ties faced setbacks under the interim government, but expressed confidence that the next elected administration could smooth relations.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said that relations between India and Bangladesh were not entirely smooth during the tenure of Muhammad Yunus’ interim government, though he expressed confidence that the next elected administration would be able to iron out difficulties and improve bilateral ties.

According to a Dhaka Tribune report, Hossain made the remarks on Thursday while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.

“The relations between Bangladesh and India had not been ‘smooth’ and faced some ‘setbacks’ during the tenure of the interim government," he said, while voicing optimism that the forthcoming elected government would be able to “address these challenges and make the relationship smoother, finding some ways."

The adviser noted that the interim authorities had focused on maintaining a “good working relationship" with New Delhi.

Responding to queries about Dhaka’s extradition request for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Hossain said that Bangladesh had “not received any feedback yet."

He also pushed back against the idea that unresolved diplomatic or economic issues were being left behind for the incoming administration.

“The interim government is not leaving any burdens for the next elected government," he said, adding that it was instead moving several matters forward “to make easier some of the things."

Among the examples he cited was a tariff deal with the United States.

Hossain further pointed out that some of the agreements currently being signed had been under negotiation for a long period and were not entirely new initiatives of the interim dispensation.

JAMAAT MANIFESTO PROMISES COOPERATIVE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY

In a separate development, Bangladesh’s Islamic conservative party, Jamaat-e-Islami, has pledged to pursue “constructive and cooperative" relations with neighbouring countries, including India, as part of its election promises, with just days remaining before the national polls.

The party’s manifesto, released on Wednesday, said it would establish ties “based on mutual respect and fairness," and listed India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Thailand among the countries it aims to engage.

“Constructive relations with neighbouring and nearby countries, peaceful, friendly, and cooperative relations will be established with India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Thailand based on mutual respect and fairness," the document stated.

Jamaat emphasised strengthening ties with the Muslim world and expanding diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with nations in Eastern Europe, Africa and South America.

The February 12 elections and constitutional referendum come nearly two years after the July Uprising in 2024 that led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina.

The Awami League has been barred from contesting, while the Bangladesh Party and Jamaat have entered into a seat-sharing agreement.

The Crisis Group has flagged uncertainty around the polls, including concerns about the process’s credibility and the risk of violence.

News world 'Ties With India Saw Setbacks Under Yunus-Led Interim Regime': Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor

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