THE CHANGING GEOPOLITICAL REALITIES IN BANGLADESH: ASSESSING INDIA'S CHALLENGES AND CHINA'S PROSPECTS IN THE POST-HASINA ERA
Abstract
Geopolitical landscape of Bangladesh is going through significant shifts following the departure of Sheikh Hasina in 2024. In the midst of student protests supported by the Bangladesh army, she resigned and escape to India on 5th August, 2024. This situation has left a power vacuum and created a climate of political uncertainty specifically for India. Hasina had been a strategic partner to New Delhi for many years. She provided the influence of India in South Asia as well. However, her exit has introduced new challenges for India especially when China is increasing its influence in Bangladesh through various projects and agreements. Now this is a great opportunity for China to expand its power in the region. The evolving situation in Bangladesh has significant consequences for security of India. It also has great implications for broader geopolitical interests for India keeping in view the China’s growing presence in the region. In response, India will more likely to reevaluate its foreign policy approach. It will try to balance its relations with Bangladesh and address the increasing Chinese involvement there. This article also examines the expected shifts in Bangladesh’s foreign policy, which is anticipated to gravitate further toward military cooperation with China and increased Chinese investment. These developments could redefine the regional security architecture in South Asia, with broader implications for India’s role and the overall geopolitical landscape of the region.
Keywords: Geopolitical Shifts, Bangladesh, India, China, Post-Hasina Era, Strategic Challenges, Regional Security, Power Dynamics.
