In Bangladesh, anti-India sentiment frequently spills into mainstream political discourse, often during moments of internal stress – writes Dr. Syed Esrar Mehdi

India’s place in South Asia is shaped as much by perception as by policy. Across the region, New Delhi is often discussed not through the lens of trade figures, connectivity projects, or diplomatic agreements, but through domestic political storytelling. In some countries, India is framed as a partner—imperfect, powerful, but necessary. In others, it becomes a convenient villain, blamed for problems that are largely homegrown. The contrast between Bangladesh and Nepal captures this dynamic sharply. Both are close neighbors of India. Both have experienced friction, disagreements, and moments of mistrust. Yet their political cultures treat India very differently. In Bangladesh, anti-India sentiment frequently spills into mainstream political discourse, often during moments of internal stress. In Nepal, criticism of India exists, sometimes forcefully, but it rarely dominates national identity or substitutes for debates about governance. This difference has less to do with India’s actions—which are broadly consistent across both relationships—and far more to do with how domestic politics, ideology, and historical memory shape national narratives.

The Bangladesh paradox

On paper, India–Bangladesh relations are one of South Asia’s success stories. The two countries share a 4,000-kilometre border, deep cultural ties, and an expanding economic partnership. India is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade hovering around USD 15–16 billion. India supplies over 1,100 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh, easing chronic power shortages. Billions of dollars in Indian lines of credit have financed railways, bridges, ports, and energy projects. During the COVID-19 crisis, India was among the first countries to provide vaccines, medical equipment, and logistical support. Yet these facts coexist with a strikingly hostile narrative. In sections of Bangladeshi politics and media, India is portrayed as........

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