While You Were Watching China… Something’s Brewing in Our Backyard
Everybody’s obsessing over US tariffs, China’s supply chains, and global power plays. But while the world looks West, something very serious is simmering in the East — right next to us.
Yep, I’m talking about Bangladesh. Our “friendly neighbour” who’s suddenly been acting a little… not so friendly
The Power Shift in Dhaka ️
Bangladesh’s recent elections may not have made global headlines — but trust me, the shift is seismic . PM Sheikh Hasina is back, but this time, the tone is very different.
Gone are the warm cuddles with Delhi. What we’re seeing now?
- Hostile statements around North-East India
- A renewed cuddle with China
- Sudden revival of trade ties with Pakistan — yes, that Pakistan
And don’t forget: Hasina’s return came after a not-so-subtle rift with India around an extradition issue and her long-standing presence here.
North-East India: The Achilles Heel No One Talks About
Here’s a fact many still miss in boardroom charts and Lok Sabha debates:
North-East India has ZERO ocean access.
And the only land link it has with mainland India? A tiny stretch of corridor over Bangladesh — the Siliguri Corridor aka Chicken’s Neck
You lose Dhaka, you choke off connectivity to 8 Indian states. You slow down trade. You strangle security. You risk insurgency flares.
It’s that serious.
Why Bangladesh Matters More Than You Think ➡️
Bangladesh is not just about bilateral ties — it’s the gateway.
- Nepal and Bhutan’s trade? Runs through India-Bangladesh routes
- Transit routes for power grids, fiber cables, and road projects? Bangladesh
- Access to ASEAN? Yep — Dhaka sits at the crossroads
And Guess Who’s Waiting in the Wings?
China’s Belt and Road chariots are already revving outside Dhaka’s gate.
And with Bangladesh sending warm signals to Pakistan (read: “Let’s trade again!”), the subcontinental chessboard is in full play ♟️
While we’re busy going global, we’re risking going blind locally. And that, my friends, is a disaster-in-the-making.
So What Should India Do?
- Wake Up – We need to stop thinking of Bangladesh as the “little cousin” and start treating them like a strategic partner.
- Engage Boldly – From economic ties to cultural diplomacy, it’s time to re-win Dhaka’s heart. No lazy bureaucracy. No vague MoUs.
- Secure the Northeast – Build alternate corridors, boost infrastructure, and make NE India the poster child of Indian growth.
- Play the Long Game – Offer Bangladesh what China can’t: Trust, transparency, and a shared future rooted in culture and democracy.
While everyone is playing chess with the US and China…
We better make sure our backyard isn’t being set on fire
Because you don’t become a global superpower if you lose your own neighbourhood.
Let’s fix our flank before the flank fails us.
