Bangladesh’s interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has initiated a major realignment in foreign policy, emphasizing national sovereignty and reduced dependence on India. Following Sheikh Hasina’s fall from power after mass protests, Yunus has sought to reassert Bangladesh’s diplomatic independence by strengthening ties with China, Turkey, and Pakistan while maintaining engagement with Western partners. His administration’s early moves include reviving the Teesta River project with Chinese participation and signing agreements to modernize Mongla Port.

This shift recalls the foreign policy of former President Ziaur Rahman, who steered Bangladesh away from the Soviet-India axis in the late 1970s. Analysts note that Yunus’s approach has unsettled New Delhi, which had long enjoyed strategic influence over Dhaka’s political and defense affairs. Indian media have responded critically, reflecting growing unease over Bangladesh’s diversification of alliances.

The new policy’s implications are significant: it could reshape South Asian geopolitics by balancing regional powers and enhancing Bangladesh’s bargaining position. However, the transition also carries risks of diplomatic friction with India and challenges in sustaining economic and security cooperation across competing blocs.