Supporters cheer close to the chairman workplace of the Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP), a day after the nationwide parliamentary election in Dhaka on February 13, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Bangladesh will take a choice on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty primarily based on its “nationwide curiosity”, in line with Humaiun Kobir, international affairs adviser to Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering and Bangladesh’s Prime Minister-designate following the BNP’s landslide victory on this week’s election.
Talking to The Hindu in an unique interview, Mr. Kobir urged India to “break from the previous”, including that communal incidents in India are a “matter of concern” for Bangladesh.
The Ganga Water Treaty, concluded in 1996, is due for renewal by December this yr. As soon as a BNP authorities is fashioned, renewal of the treaty is anticipated to be one of many first objects to be featured in bilateral talks. Previously, nonetheless, Bangladesh has typically been advised in regards to the curiosity of the Indian states which might be concerned in riparian agreements, Mr. Kobir mentioned. Explaining the strategy of Mr. Rahman’s incoming authorities, he careworn: “We’ll transfer ahead in a approach in order that it meets our nationwide curiosity.”
United stance
Mr. Kobir added that the BNP management has urged the outgoing interim authorities of Prof. Mohammed Yunus “to go away some recommendation” concerning some points, so they’ll have some concept of the negotiations that will have taken place throughout its tenure, between August 2024 and February 2026.
He defined that the political setting of Bangladesh has modified on account of the 2024 rebellion. In consequence, “politics can’t be as ordinary”, he mentioned, noting that every one sides of Bangladeshi politics will come collectively on problems with nationwide curiosity. “The most important achievement of the rebellion is that on problems with nationwide curiosity we will all unite regardless of our variations,” he careworn.
Communal violence, rhetoric
Mr. Kobir raised the difficulty of communal tensions throughout the border. “The factor is, communal violence in India is a priority,” he mentioned. “Individuals of Bangladesh really feel that India is turning into an illiberal society and loads of far-right people are profitable in elections by means of extremely communal rhetoric,” he mentioned, terming this as “disturbing”.
In Bangladesh, he mentioned, the Jamaat couldn’t come to energy as a result of it resorted to extremist rhetoric. “Such rhetoric can’t get you electoral victory in Bangladesh ever however in India individuals are voting in favour of such rhetoric. India was once a pluralist nation of types at one level and the present developments usually are not good for India. We hope we will overcome these challenges,” he mentioned.
He additionally highlighted the issue of Bangladeshi civilians killed by Indian border safety forces. India regards these incidents as regulation enforcement to take care of Bangladeshi smugglers and criminals who try to enterprise throughout the border to trigger hassle, however Mr. Kobir mentioned that these incidents may influence public sentiment with regard to bilateral relations.
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‘Recognise political actuality’
Mr. Kobir appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory messages that got here quickly after the BNP received a two-thirds majority within the February 12 election. Bangladesh will invite “regional leaders” to take part on the swearing-in ceremony, he mentioned. Nevertheless, he additionally urged New Delhi to recognise the prevailing political actuality in Bangladesh, saying, “We hope we will transfer and make a clear break from the previous and India should realise that Sheikh Hasina and Awami League doesn’t exist in Bangladesh immediately and the resounding victory has proven that.”
Mr. Rahman has been engaged on his worldwide contacts throughout his years in exile in London, Mr. Kobir mentioned. In his travels to international capitals in Europe, West Asia and the USA, the Prime Minister-designate has cast pleasant ties with related stakeholders, he added.
Revealed – February 14, 2026 10:03 pm IST