The recent political shift in Bangladesh, marked by the decisive electoral victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Tarique Rahman in February 2026, signals a transformative and complex new chapter in India-Bangladesh relations. After an eighteen-month interim period following the dramatic ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, the return of a BNP-led government necessitates a profound recalibration of New Delhi’s neighborhood policy. The BNP has a long history of strained diplomatic and security relationships with India; therefore, there is a significant amount of historical baggage that must be overcome in order to stabilize the current diplomatic efforts between both capitals. Despite the considerable amount of historical baggage, both capitals appear to have adopted a pragmatic view of their respective priorities and have issued statements indicating a willingness to move forward in their diplomatic relations....