Bangladesh-India Ties Strengthened on Mutual Respect

The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser’s Office has said that relations with India have become balanced and based on mutual respect during the tenure of the interim government.

The statement, issued on Monday, acknowledged that while the damage of 16 years cannot be reversed in just 18 months, the country has made steady progress away from authoritarian practices and toward a democratic future.

Bangladesh entered a new chapter on 5 August 2024, when youth-led protests against fascism paved the way for the formation of an interim government under Prof Muhammad Yunus following a July mass uprising. At that time, the nation faced economic turmoil, institutional weaknesses, and weakened public trust in law enforcement and the judiciary.

To address these challenges, the interim government established several expert reform commissions and, based on their recommendations and its own initiatives, launched a series of legal and institutional reforms. Over the past 18 months, about 130 laws—new or amended—and more than 600 executive orders have been enacted, with roughly 84% already implemented.

The Press Wing highlighted progress in both the economy and foreign relations. An economic partnership with Japan has provided duty-free access for around 7,400 Bangladeshi products. Cooperation with China extended loan tenures, improved health infrastructure, and enhanced flood forecasting systems, while talks with the United States cut tariff rates from 37% to 19%. Diplomatic ties with other key countries were also strengthened.

In the financial sector, banking supervision has been reinforced, procurement transparency has increased across 42 ministries, and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics now enjoys greater independence in publishing data. Law enforcement reforms included the temporary suspension of over 1,200 officials, introduction of human rights-based training programmes, and the restructuring of the Rapid Action Battalion into the Special Intervention Force. Judicial independence has been restored, with merit-based appointments and an end to executive interference.

The government also withdrew politically motivated cases against journalists and reopened media outlets, restoring press freedom.

The Press Wing concluded that while these reforms are just the beginning, they represent a significant move toward building a citizen-friendly state and advancing Bangladesh’s democratic future.