TAF PUBLISHING

This article aims to understand better how deeply Bangladesh and India are maintaining good relations between them in recent times. Furthermore, this study has investigated and identified the factors that motivated India and Bangladesh to revive their sound relations. In the South Asian region, India is the dominant power in terms of population, economy, military strengths, geographical size, location, etc. Bangladesh shares 78.86% of its total border with India. Both countries' history, languages, culture, and economic nature are more or less similar manner. During the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, it got much support from India. After getting independence, both countries experience a sound relationship until 1975, which we can call the 'Honeymoon' period. After that, Bangladesh faces some difficulties maintaining its relationship with India due to border killings, a sense of distrust, security concerns, trade deficits, transit issues, water-sharing issues, etc. Recently, through Modi and Hasina's government's diplomatic efforts, both countries' relations have reached a new height, which the researcher labels as the 'Honeymoon period' has returned. This study is based on the review of the secondary data and content analysis in nature. This paper finds that the strategic geographical location of Bangladesh and China's strategic engagement with Dhaka motivates India to maintain more close relationship with Dhaka to get it into its grip. In addition, this study suggested that if India wants to be a regional power, and Bangladesh wants to maintain its development, to fulfill its ambitions, both countries need to maintain a good relationship.