Why India Should Not Burn All Its Bridges with Bangladesh
What we are witnessing today is the rise of majoritarianism, imperialism, and religious fanaticism, making this one of the most disturbing phases in contemporary world history. Across regions, hatred based on identity, religion, and nationality is becoming normalised and increasingly violent. Recent events such as the American attack on Venezuela and the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, along with the burning of homes and lynching of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, have once again pushed questions of conflict, human rights, and violence to the very centre of world politics.
Globally, there is a visible rise of right-wing extremism, religious fanaticism, and the occupation or domination of other territories. South Asia is not aloof from this trend. The manner in which majoritarian politics has captured the political landscape in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and across South Asia is a serious cause for concern. This global rise of majoritarianism and religious fanaticism poses one of the greatest dangers to world politics and to the possibility of a peaceful and dignified life.
The lynching of Hindu minorities and the recent killing of a newspaper editor who was also Hindu have further intensified this alarm. In response, sections of public opinion in India have begun demanding some form of revenge against Bangladesh. This pressure soon translated into the sporting arena, with the apex cricket body Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) forcing the Indian Premier League (IPL), particularly the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), to release a Bangladeshi player from their team.
The situation escalated further when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to a venue outside India, citing safety and security concerns and its subsequent announcement of a ban on the telecast of IPL matches in Bangladesh.
The reaction did not stop there. On social media, Indian supporters have been seen using racist slurs against Bangladeshi players. At present, we are witnessing a sharp rise in mutual hatred in both Bangladesh and India. This is a deeply dangerous trend, especially for India in the times to come. Geographically, India is surrounded by Pakistan, China, Nepal, and Bangladesh on its northern, western, and eastern sides, and by water bodies and island nations, such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in the south. If India finds itself encircled by states perceived as unfriendly, it poses a serious strategic concern.
Also read: Bangladesh Central Bank Governor Says Adani Power Overcharged for Coal
For a long time, Bangladesh has been a close friend of India, and India has consistently supported Bangladesh over the decades. However, the recent rise of majoritarianism and religious fanaticism in Bangladesh has created a crisis of this nature. That said, the response from several quarters of India has also been unwarranted and short-sighted. India must recognise that such reactions can harm its long-term national interests. Decisions should not be driven by temporary electoral gains, nor should they be influenced or shaped by religious fanatics and hate mongers.
If India aspires to establish itself as a responsible and influential power and realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, it must maintain workable and stable relations with at least some of its neighbours, especially when it is clear that Pakistan and China are unlikely to be friendly in the foreseeable future. Are we prepared for a situation in which India has no good neighbours? One must seriously ask whether boycotting, banning, or forcing the release of Bangladeshi players from the IPL will actually help India’s cause. Will such action secure the protection of the lives of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh? Only time will tell, but one thing is already clear: these actions are far more likely to further jeopardise the safety and security of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
This is precisely where the Indian government needs to be far more cautious and diplomatic in its approach towards Bangladesh. India should not burn all its bridges. Once bridges are destroyed and anti-India sentiments take deep root in Bangladesh, it will be extremely difficult to rebuild trust and protect the lives of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Such a situation would also provide a golden opportunity for China, Pakistan, and even the United States to strategically encircle India.
Keeping long-term national interests in mind, India must avoid severing ties. It should firmly press Bangladesh to ensure the protection of Hindu minorities, but this must be done through sustained diplomatic channels rather than through blackmail, cultural boycotts, or racist rhetoric. We have already seen the consequences of damaged India–Nepal relations in the past. The Indian government should not allow fanatics to further weaken India’s position in the region. If India truly wants to be strong and influential, it must protect its interests with patience, diplomacy, and restraint, not by burning bridges that may be impossible to rebuild.
Pavan Kumar is an assistant professor of Global Studies at Dr B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi.
This article went live on January fourteenth, two thousand twenty six, at twenty-three minutes past two in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
