Sheikh Hasina, water & trade: Decoding the roadblocks in India-Bangladesh ties

Over two years ago, student protests against the quota system in Bangladesh’s government jobs evolved into a nationwide uprising that brought down the government of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, forcing her to flee to India. The political upheaval ushered in a period of considerable strain in bilateral relations with India, and New Delhi-Dhaka ties have since deteriorated significantly. This is reflected in the fact that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who assumed office in February, is yet to visit New Delhi, despite having travelled to other countries in the region.The tensions have also spilled over into negotiations on the future of the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty and bilateral trade. Political mistrust has complicated efforts to reach a consensus on water-sharing, while reciprocal trade restrictions have added to economic friction.These issues have emerged as significant roadblocks in bilateral ties.