As India-Bangladesh relations try and move towards a reset, rumours are emanating from Dhaka of yet another possible attempt at regime change by Islamists. Islamist groups, which have been witnessing a resurgence, are believed to be in a hurry to lay claim to the throne through yet another mass movement ahead of December, when Sheikh Hasina has announced she will return to her land of birth and face whatever be the consequences. If Hasina returns to Bangladesh, Awami Leaguers and many others calculate that there will be an outburst of nostalgia for the “fallen queen”, who has been dubbed a fascist by her rivals but retains command over large portions of the populace.

However, it must be said here as a disclaimer that such scenarios of chaotic change remain speculative. Nevertheless, the underlying political vulnerability of Dhaka’s governing structure is real enough. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman leads a government attempting to consolidate authority after a dramatic election eight months ago in an atmosphere of worsening law and order, rising prices of essentials, prolonged electricity and gas shortages, public insecurity, and an increasingly adversarial political environment.

Amidst all these problems and rumours, the need for Bangladesh to press a reset button and renew relations with its largest neighbour India has perhaps grown even more.

Diplomatic Reset Takes Shape

For months, Bangladesh’s proposed new envoy to New Delhi was a diplomatic appointment waiting to happen. Now, with India having granted its formal approval, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam is set to move to the Bangladesh High Commission in the Indian capital, replacing Riaz Hamidullah, who is heading to Geneva as Dhaka’s permanent representative to the UN Office.

This comes even as Bangladesh is trying to discuss dates for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit New........

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