Dark Prince to Bangladesh PM: What Tarique Rahman 2.0 means for India
India Today
Tarique Rahman is set to become the next prime minister of Bangladesh after his BNP swept the elections. For Tarique, repairing relations with India will be a priority. But the Hasina factor may well be an irritant. In this article, we explore what a new version of Tarique means for India.
Tarique Rahman, once seen as the 'dark prince' of Bangladesh politics and heir to one of the country's most powerful dynasties, has finally got his moment to shine as his BNP swept the elections on Friday. India, which has been watching the polls closely, quickly congratulated Tarique even before the results were announced, indicating its eagerness to get Bangladesh ties back on track after it reached a nadir following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in 2024. For India, Tarique's BNP has always been seen as a more liberal and democratic option than the ideologically rigid Jamaat-e-Islami.
With Tarique likely to be the next prime minister, will it usher in a reset in ties? Will the dark history between India and the BNP have a bearing on the future? Stay with us as we break down the factors that will shape whether the India-Bangladesh Maitree Express enjoys a smoother journey in the years ahead.
The posturing from Tarique, since his whirlwind return from exile after 17 years in London last December, has been somewhat positive. Fondly known as Tarique Zia in Bangladesh, he has pledged a 'Bangladesh First' agenda, modelled around US President Donald Trump's 'America First' narrative. Crucially, he has promised to keep Bangladesh equidistant from regional powers like India, China and Pakistan. This bodes well for India after the interim administration under Muhammad Yunus warmed up to Pakistan and China.
However, Tarique will take charge at a time when ties with India are running on two parallel tracks. On one hand, Tarique knows very well that India will remain indispensable due to its geography. The countries, which share a 4,000 km border, are closely linked through trade, electricity, and connectivity. On the other hand, the public mood in Bangladesh, especially among Gen Z, has turned sceptical of India since Hasina fled to India after the student-led protests.
Thus, repairing relations with India will no doubt be a priority for Tarique. India has already ramped up its outreach. In hindsight, India may have read the tea leaves early.
Last year, as Tarique's mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia was battling health issues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly expressed concern and offered India's support. The BNP was quick to respond with sincere gratitude.
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