Reconfiguring Bangladesh–India Diplomacy:

Strategic Realignment in the Post–July Revolution Context

Abstract

This study uses the analytical lenses of reliance, strategic autonomy, and regional engagement to look at how Bangladesh-India relations have changed after the July-August Revolution of Bangladesh in 2024. The study examines how patterns of cooperation and constraint have changed in response to shifting political alignments, economic interdependence, and Bangladesh's desire for more foreign policy autonomy. It does this by placing the bilateral relationship within a historical trajectory from 1971 to the present. The study identifies important structural factors influencing the relationship, such as water diplomacy, border security, trade imbalances, and political leverage, by using qualitative analysis of secondary sources, including academic literature, policy documents, government statements, and reliable media reports. Findings suggests that although economic and geographic proximity continue to promote cooperation, enduring asymmetries limit Bangladesh's strategic autonomy and occasionally upset bilateral stability, with wider ramifications for South Asian peace and security. According to the study, recalibrating Bangladesh-India ties necessitates a shift away from reliance and towards more varied diplomatic engagement, increased involvement in regional and multilateral forums, and more skillful application of soft power. It emphasizes even more how crucial it is for India to ensure long-term regional stability through constructive and sovereignty-respecting engagement. This study adds to discussions on asymmetric interdependence and regional order in South Asia by providing a historically grounded and analytically nuanced assessment. It also offers policy-relevant suggestions for promoting a more equitable and long-lasting bilateral partnership.