Tarique Rahman set to limit Pakistan's sway in Bangladesh

A looming power shift in Dhaka just put Pakistan ties under a microscope, with security agencies, India, and voters all watching for any replay of old playbooks.

Tarique Rahman’s balancing act

• Tarique Rahman is poised to become Bangladesh’s next Prime Minister.
• Rahman is expected to juggle ties with Pakistan and India.
• Officials say he will avoid letting Inter Services Intelligence gain space.
• His immediate focus is on calming a violence-hit Bangladesh.

Yunus era and Pakistan thaw

• Muhammad Yunus oversaw warmer Dhaka-Islamabad engagement.
• Yunus relaxed visa rules and opened Bangladesh seas access.
• Security agencies flagged maritime access as a terror risk.
• Several Pakistan Army and ISI visits followed.

BNP history and shifting alliances

• Bangladesh Nationalist Party governed from 2001 to 2007.
• India previously accused the government of sheltering militants.
• This time, Jamaat-e-Islami is not a BNP partner.
• Officials doubt BNP will fully detach from Pakistan.

India’s cautious watch

• New Delhi is fine with normal Dhaka-Islamabad ties.
• Indian agencies grow uneasy over military-style cooperation.
• Intelligence Bureau sources fear anti-India setups.
• Concerns center on bases aimed at targeting India.

Nation-first pitch and public mood

• Abhinav Pandya of Usanas Foundation weighed in on BNP’s stance.
• Pandya said Rahman is signaling pragmatic foreign policy.
• His slogan stresses Bangladesh first over Dilli or Pindi.
• Voters reportedly reject any return to pre-1971 dynamics.