I remember scrolling through the news one late evening when I stumbled upon a report that stated, "Bangladesh is on the brink of an economic spiral." It was hard to digest. This was the same Bangladesh we’ve often admired for its rapid progress in garment exports, female workforce participation, and socio-economic indicators that had even outpaced India at one time. But as I read further, it became clear that this South Asian neighbour was battling a crisis that could shake the region’s stability. The crises in Bangladesh today aren’t just economic — they’re also deeply political, social, and ideological. Rising inflation, a depreciating taka, declining foreign reserves, and an over-reliance on garment exports have shaken the economic core. What’s more troubling is the internal political instability. The Awami League’s iron grip, the shrinking space for opposition parties like the BNP, and increasing accusations of authoritarianism have sounded alarms. Protests have become routine. Violence has become part of the political vocabulary. And the people? They are exhausted.
One cannot ignore the growing unease among citizens who once proudly spoke of Bangladesh's miracle story. A friend from Dhaka recently told me, "We wanted prosperity, but not at the cost of democracy." His words echoed in my mind as I thought of Kashmir — a region where aspirations often clash with political realities. Now, where does India stand in all of this? India has always shared a bond with Bangladesh that’s deeper than treaties or trade — one that traces its roots to 1971, when we stood by them during their Liberation War. But today's India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seems to be balancing diplomacy with strategic patience. New Delhi is watching the developments closely, but cautiously. We’ve extended lines of credit. We’ve supported development projects, from roads to railways and power. But beyond economics, our real concern lies in regional security. Instability in Bangladesh often spills over — we in Kashmir know how fragile peace is, how quickly it can be disturbed. Cross-border illegal migration, terror financing, and the potential rise of Islamist outfits like Hefazat-e-Islam pose real threats. For India, this is not just Bangladesh’s internal matter; it's a matter of regional equilibrium.
Interestingly, while many global powers maintain a transactional relationship with Bangladesh, India has chosen proximity over politics. I remember speaking with Navdeep Singh Suri, a former Indian Ambassador to Egypt, when he visited Kupwara in 2024. Over a brief yet insightful exchange, he told me something that has stayed with me ever since — “When your neighbour coughs, you might end up with a fever.” It wasn’t just a metaphor; it was a mirror to the kind of regional sensitivity we often underestimate. It was a profound way to put it. For India, ensuring that Bangladesh remains stable isn’t charity — it’s strategic necessity. But let’s be honest. India too needs to reassess how it engages with Dhaka. There’s growing anti-India sentiment among Bangladeshi youth, partly fuelled by social media disinformation, and partly due to the perception that India backs one political faction over others. It’s a dangerous narrative, and one that needs urgent repair.
I believe India must now go beyond politics. It’s time to open cultural, academic, and grassroots exchanges — let common people speak to each other. Let journalists write together. Let students visit each other’s campuses. Because what we need now is not just diplomacy but dialogue — not just policy, but people-to-people connection. As Bangladesh navigates its toughest test yet, India’s role must be that of a responsible elder sibling — supportive, but never imposing. Bangladesh is not just a neighbour; it’s family. And in South Asia, when one member of the family stumbles, the entire household shakes. Let’s not wait for it to fall.

Email:-----------------soulofkashmir1@gmail.com