Geopolitical Briefing: Bangladesh
19 May 2025
- The interim government has revoked the Awami League’s registration, barring it from future elections and intensifying the political realignment.
- India’s abrupt ban on Bangladeshi garment imports via land ports has stranded shipments worth ₹5 crore, escalating trade tensions.
- Border tensions rise as India pushes back over 300 individuals into Bangladesh, prompting Dhaka to demand adherence to legal repatriation processes.
- Bangladesh is set to auction a Tk 20 billion sukuk on 19 May to fund socio-economic development projects, reflecting a shift towards Islamic finance.
- Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have formalized defense cooperation, marking a significant step in military collaboration between the two nations.(AP News, The Times of India, India Today)
On 12 May, Bangladesh’s Election Commission officially revoked the registration of the Awami League, the party led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, effectively barring it from participating in upcoming national elections. This move follows the interim government’s earlier ban on the party’s activities under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing threats to national security and ongoing investigations into the deaths of protesters during the previous regime. The decision underscores the interim administration’s commitment to restructuring the political landscape and distancing the nation from past affiliations that were closely tied to Indian interests. (AP News, Reuters)
India’s sudden imposition of a ban on the import of ready-made garments from Bangladesh through land ports has resulted in 36 trucks, carrying goods worth approximately ₹5 crore, being stranded in the “no man’s land” between the Benapole and Petrapole borders. The restriction, part of a broader ban on six categories of Bangladeshi products, is expected to benefit India’s domestic textile industry but has caused significant disruptions to Bangladeshi exporters. This development highlights the fragility of trade relations and the need for Bangladesh to diversify its economic partnerships to reduce dependency on neighboring countries. (The Times of India, The Times of India)
Tensions along the Bangladesh-India border have escalated as India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed back over 300 individuals into Bangladesh since 6 May, including Rohingyas and other undocumented persons. Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry has formally protested these actions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal repatriation processes and bilateral agreements. The situation underscores the challenges Bangladesh faces in maintaining border security and the necessity of asserting its sovereignty in the face of unilateral actions by neighboring countries. (TBS News, The Daily Star)
The Bangladesh Bank is set to auction a Tk 20 billion sukuk on 19 May to finance socio-economic development projects, including infrastructure improvements in the Rajshahi division. This marks the sixth issuance of Shariah-compliant bonds by the government, reflecting a strategic shift towards Islamic finance to support national development goals. The move aligns with efforts to integrate Islamic economic principles into the country’s financial system, promoting financial inclusion and attracting investment from Muslim-majority nations. (Islamic Finance News)
Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have concluded their first Joint Committee Meeting on Defense Cooperation, held on 8 May at Dhaka Cantonment. The meeting formalized military collaboration between the two countries, focusing on joint training, defense industry cooperation, and strategic coordination. This development signifies a strengthening of ties between Bangladesh and a key Muslim-majority nation, enhancing Bangladesh’s defense capabilities and reducing reliance on non-Muslim actors in its security framework. (Bangladesh Military Forces, BSS)
