Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, remains in India nearly a month after her dramatic ousting on August 5, following widespread student-led protests that escalated into deadly violence. Despite initially expecting a brief stay, Hasina’s efforts to seek asylum in the UK, the US, and the UAE have so far been unsuccessful, leaving New Delhi in a challenging position as it attempts to navigate its relationship with Bangladesh’s new interim government, BBC reported.

Bangladesh, a key strategic partner for India, is critical to New Delhi’s border security, especially regarding its insurgency-prone north-eastern states. Under Hasina’s 15-year rule, India and Bangladesh deepened their security and economic ties, with India extending more than $7bn in credit lines since 2010 for infrastructure development. However, Hasina's abrupt departure threatens these gains.

Furthermore, India doesn’t have a good relationship with Hasina’s opposition which is one of the shaping forces in the new political environment in the country. Particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party(BNP) and its leader Khaleda Zia who has historically been anti-India and pro-Pakistan and pro-China, thus directly being a challenge to any influence India may exert in a post-Hasina Bangladesh.

Despite this, India doesn’t see the relationship with BNP as impossible and holds out hope that there will be common interests between parties which could lead to a new regional cooperation structure.

The situation has further deteriorated for minority communities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, since the fall of Hasina’s government. A report in Hindustan Times indicates that at least 49 teachers from minority backgrounds were forced to resign, with many facing physical attacks. Violent incidents, including looting, arson, and assaults on women, have been widespread, drawing concern from human rights groups.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, now leading the interim government, has been criticised for failing to protect these communities.

India has engaged with Yunus, but faces backlash in Bangladesh due to its past support for Hasina amid allegations of election rigging. Public anger, coupled with the rise in anti-Indian sentiment, complicates India’s efforts to maintain influence in the region, especially as China seeks to expand its own presence. New Delhi must carefully balance its diplomatic strategy to protect its regional interests without alienating Bangladesh’s new leadership or the broader populace​.