After a period of growing tensions in a changed political scenario since August 5, Bangladesh and India are increasingly demonstrating their willingness to recognise the value of fostering stability, mutual trust, and cooperation in addressing shared challenges for greater prosperity on both sides. The winds of positive change in Dhaka-Delhi relations indicate a promising turn for the two South Asian neighbours though many feared that the relations would only deteriorate further with a growing anti-India sentiment. Recent diplomatic exchanges including the foreign secretary-level meeting have shown a commitment to sewing ties and addressing areas of discord. On January 1, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain made it clear that maintaining good relationships with three big countries - India, China and the United States- is among the priorities in 2025. He stressed that Dhaka’s ties with Delhi will advance beyond a single issue. There are questions around on how the Bangladesh-India relations will navigate this year if Dhaka's request for returning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains unaddressed. Adviser Hossain, however, addressed such a question saying this is one of the issues and the two countries have many bilateral issues. "I think both will continue simultaneously. We have many issues of mutual interest. We will advance with all these issues side by side," said the adviser. Dhaka's ties with Delhi won’t get stuck on single issue: Foreign Adviser Bangladesh is expecting a reply from India regarding its request for Hasina’s extradition and was supposed to send a reminder after a certain period if no reply is received from New Delhi. India has refrained from commenting further on Hasina's extradition request. "You know, a week back, I had confirmed that we have received a communication from the Bangladesh authorities in respect of former PM Sheikh Hasina. Further than that, I have nothing to add at this point in time," said Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs on January 3. Foreign Secretary of India Vikram Misri, during his official visit to Bangladesh on December 9, reiterated India's willingness to build a “positive and constructive” relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual trust, respect and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns and interests. He also emphasized that people are the main stakeholders in Bangladesh-India relations and noted that India's development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh including in areas of trade, connectivity and other capacity building areas are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh. “So, that has been our approach. There are several developments that are happening. There are developments happening on a daily basis, but our generic approach to Bangladesh is what I told you. We would like to foster these ties,” said MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal on January 3. India’s approach is to foster ties with Bangladesh was made very clear during the Indian foreign secretary's visit to Dhaka, where he highlighted India's support for a “democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive” Bangladesh. India unlikely to extradite Hasina as heard: Adviser Mahfuj On December 31, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma welcomed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the High Commission when Dr Yunus went there to pay tributes to former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away recently. New Delhi's reaction was rather soft when on January 2 a Chattogram court rejected the bail prayer of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader, in a sedition case.  It simply voiced expectation that the individuals who have been arrested receive a fair trial and the ongoing proceedings in Bangladesh will ensure that. “This is our expectation,” says MEA Spokesperson on January 3. Meanwhile, the reciprocal repatriation of 95 Indian fishermen or crew detained in Bangladesh and 90 Bangladeshi fishermen or crew detained in India began on Thursday. The process is expected to be completed on January 5. After the handing over on January 5 at the International Maritime Border, the Bangladeshi fishermen or crew, along with their fishing vessels, are expected to return to Chattogram in the afternoon of January 6. Essential commodities are coming from India to Bangladesh. In December, 2024, a consignment of 24, 690 metric tonnes (MT) of parboiled rice arrived at Chattogram Port from India. It was the first batch of rice imports from India since Yunus-led interim government assumed office.

Smita Pant, a senior official at the Bangladesh, Myanmar Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, said on Tuesday (August 15, 2023) that India's future, particularly its security, is inextricably connected with Bangladesh. Together, Bangladesh and India can achieve a lot, particularly in renewable energy and Sunderbans delta protection, she said. Smita Pant was addressing an event commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reports Times Now News. Read: Indian MEA spokesperson laughs off speculation on military intervention in Dhaka ahead of election Bangabandhu and his family members were killed in cold blood in 1975, said Pant, adding, the perpetrators, however, were unable to eliminate his values. The dreams of Bangabandhu, "who has few equals in history," are coming true today, she said. The people have rejected extremism, Bangladesh is on its road to becoming a middle-income country, and it provides more UN peacekeepers than almost any other country, the MEA official said. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Mohammed Mustafizur Rahman, opened the discussion by saying that Bangabandhu's “struggle and sacrifice in realizing the rights of the deprived and the downtrodden remains a model for the international community. He developed his political philosophy from his experience, in fighting for equality, justice, fundamental human rights, and most particularly, realizing the right to self-determination. In his maiden speech at the United Nations in 1974, Bangabandhu alluded to the overriding importance of ensuring peace and justice for all. He said and I quote, ‘The very struggle of Bangladesh symbolized the universal struggle for peace and justice.' Read: India’s opposition leader Rahul Gandhi calls for army deployment to end ethnic violence in Manipur “The same voice was echoed at the NAM Summit held in Algiers in 1973, where Bangabandhu said, ‘The world is divided between those who are the oppressors and those who are the oppressed…. We stand for those who are oppressed and those who stand by them in their just struggle for liberation from oppression.’ “The assassins killed Bangabandhu, but they could not wipe out, or erase, the principles and ideals of this great man. His teachings, ideologies and spirit remain deeply ingrained in our hearts,” the report quoted the Bangladesh high commissioner as saying. Bangladesh has made significant progress, according to the high commissioner, "including in the areas of poverty reduction, education, health, and women empowerment." Pankaj Saran, former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, agreed that Bangladesh's socioeconomic statistics were now better than those of Pakistan and, in certain circumstances, India. It was Bangabandhu who envisioned a thriving Bangladesh and good relations with India, he said. Read more: Bangladesh, India trade transactions in rupees will ease pressure on forex reserves: High Commissioner

India promotes a culture of peace as a part of its commitment to global order, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Culture of Peace is the cornerstone of the global order to build inclusive and tolerant societies. Under the auspices of the United Nations, the promotion of a culture of peace has expanded into a global discourse, according to the statement issued by MEA. READ:  Bangladesh, India to have much to do in next 50 years: Doraiswami The observation came in the light of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly's Agenda item 16 on Culture of Peace. India will continue to spread the message of humanity, pluralism and democracy. We reiterate our call to fight negative forces of intolerance, violence and discrimination together, said Ashish Sharma, First Secretary in the statement. Continuing this rich heritage, India has promoted this culture, inter alia, through tolerance, understanding, respect for all religions and cultures - all this under the overarching umbrella of pluralistic ethos and democratic principles. This is enshrined in our Constitution, the MEA's statement said. READ:  Indian Foreign Secretary Shringla in city For millennia, India has regularly provided shelter to those persecuted in foreign lands and allowed them to thrive in India and it's is not just about a culture, but a civilization in itself. the statement further added. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Bangladesh on March 26-27 focusing on three mega events. 

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday night met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries. 

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially named Vikram Kumar Doraiswami as next High Commissioner to Bangladesh.