Former Indian Lieutenant General Prakash Chandra Katoch has urged Delhi to rebuild trust with Bangladesh through economic diplomacy, water-sharing, border management and greater people-to-people contact. In an analysis published by South Asia Monitor on August 29, 2026, he argued that deteriorating Bangladesh-India relations could create long-term security and geopolitical risks for India.

Katoch identified Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after her August 2024 removal from power and Bangladesh’s extradition request as a major bilateral obstacle. He also cited the unresolved Teesta water-sharing agreement, the expected expiry of the 1996 Ganges water treaty late in 2026, border disputes, and trade barriers. Bilateral trade is about $13 billion, but customs delays, transit fees, bureaucracy and non-tariff barriers constrain its potential.

The article proposed regular ministerial meetings of the Joint Rivers Commission, an interim data-based Teesta arrangement, advance flood and river-release information sharing, and regular local BSF-BGB meetings. It also recommended expanding border markets, restarting CEPA talks, easing medical and student visas, and increasing track-two dialogue. The source notes that Katoch’s assessments reflect an Indian security perspective and personal opinion.