A year has passed under the interim government in Bangladesh. Although elections have been announced, Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor, is set to lead until February 2026. This period has witnessed significant alterations in Bangladesh’s international relations. Alongside major shifts in relations with key foreign partners, there’s been a notable cooling of ties with India, a close ally during the Awami League’s rule.
While international scrutiny of Bangladesh’s domestic situation has been present, the interim government has had some success in expanding its relationships with significant nations. Diplomatic analysts indicate that the progress in foreign relations over the last year is partly due to the influence and favorable image of Muhammad Yunus, the global chief advisor.
In contrast to the 2007-08 caretaker government, which saw no bilateral visits, the current administration has facilitated numerous visits from and to Bangladesh by various countries.
Under Sheikh Hasina’s previous government, Bangladesh’s foreign policy was largely centered on India. India served as the primary trade partner and limited relations were maintained with nations considered adversaries of India, such as China and Pakistan.
The Yunus administration has marked a shift in this approach, enacting several policies viewed as less favorable to India. Over the past year, Bangladesh has fostered ties with other countries, seeking to diversify its partnerships beyond India, China, and Pakistan. Following the change in leadership, a reduction in medical tourism, student exchanges, and other forms of travel to India has been observed.
From a strategic perspective, India, China, Japan, the EU headquarters in Brussels, and the United States hold considerable importance for Bangladesh. Relations with key partners have undergone substantial changes in the past year.
China and Pakistan are striving to capitalize on the strained relations between Bangladesh and India. The Chinese government extended an invitation to Muhammad Yunus for a visit, with a meeting between Yunus and the Chinese President in Beijing. Beyond governmental interactions, China has been actively engaging with diverse political factions in Bangladesh. While they have expressed an interest in significant investments, these remain in the discussion phase.
Pakistan has been making efforts to emphasize the shared historical and religious connections between the two countries. Delegations from both Pakistan and Bangladesh have conducted visits, and there has been a focus on enhancing trade and military collaborations.
Muhammad Yunus visited Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government, holding bilateral talks with the Prime Minister. Japan signaled its commitment to its previous agreements with Bangladesh from the Awami League period but showed no inclination to participate in new large-scale deals.
Bangladesh is engaging in ongoing dialogues with the European Union in Brussels. The EU has expressed a desire to deploy observers for the upcoming national elections. Additionally, negotiations continue regarding a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), outlining the framework for future relations with the EU. These discussions are projected to be concluded later this year.
There have been suggestions that the United States sought a military base from Sheikh Hasina, a request that was turned down. Some observers suggest that the U.S. was involved in the change of leadership. Yunus met with then-U.S. President Joe Biden in New York last year.
Despite an initial warming of relations, the dynamic shifted after Donald Trump’s presidency began in January. Trump also imposed tariffs on Bangladesh in April. Discussions are ongoing between the two nations.
While the interim government has explored alternatives to its relationship with India, achieving progress without India may present challenges. The world, including India, will be closely monitoring the democratic elections scheduled for February.