Bangladesh’s Strategic Shift in Focus

August 8, 2026

Bangladesh continues to face political tensions following an online press conference by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in New Delhi, with reports suggesting that Dhaka remains strongly critical of the development.

Joy, while discussing Bangladesh’s current political and security situation, warned that the country was moving towards instability and could become a source of regional insecurity if corrective measures were not taken urgently. He also alleged that post-Hasina Bangladesh was increasingly beginning to resemble “another Pakistan on India’s eastern front”.

His remarks come amid significant political and strategic changes in Bangladesh since Hasina’s ouster. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus revoked the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. The Hasina government had imposed the ban under the Anti-Terrorism Act, accusing the groups of involvement in violence during student protests. The interim administration later said it had found no specific evidence linking Jamaat or its affiliates to terrorist activities.

Jamaat-e-Islami has since strengthened its political position and emerged as a major Opposition force. The party has also been part of an alliance and has repeatedly sought to exert pressure on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman over its political demands.

Another major development was the restoration of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan after a gap of around 14 years. Biman Bangladesh Airlines resumed non-stop flights between Dhaka and Karachi. The route had been suspended under the Hasina administration in 2012 amid security concerns.

The resumption of connectivity subsequently triggered security concerns after reports alleged that individuals suspected of having links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) travelled on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Karachi to Dhaka. The flight, which reportedly arrived in Dhaka on January 30 with 113 passengers, was said to have included at least 28 people who came under scrutiny over possible LeT links.

Earlier reports had also alleged that the interim administration had weakened certain security safeguards concerning Pakistani nationals and cargo. These included claims that mandatory security clearances for Pakistani citizens had been withdrawn and that Pakistani cargo had been exempted from customs inspections.

Meanwhile, defence and intelligence-related assessments have raised allegations about increased activity by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through Bangladesh. Some regional intelligence reports have claimed that Bangladesh could be used as a transit point by the ISI and its alleged proxy networks, with India’s eastern and northeastern states being a particular focus.

While several of these claims remain allegations and require independent verification, the developments have heightened concerns in New Delhi about Bangladesh’s evolving domestic politics, its growing engagement with Pakistan and the possible implications for regional security.