Bangladesh, Nepal… Two Neighbours, Two Elections — And Why India Is Watching Closely

New Delhi.
India’s two closest neighbours — Bangladesh and Nepal — are heading toward crucial elections, and New Delhi is keeping a sharp diplomatic eye on every move.
Under its “Neighbourhood First Policy,” India views both elections as pivotal to the region’s stability, security, and strategic balance, especially amid growing Chinese influence in South Asia.

🔹 Bangladesh: Hasina vs Khaleda — The Return of Political Fire

Bangladesh is preparing for general elections early next year, and the political atmosphere is already charged.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hinted at boycotting the polls, while her rival Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has already announced candidates for 237 constituencies.

Violence erupted during recent political rallies, raising fears of instability.
After the fall of the Hasina government last year and the formation of Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration, relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have cooled.
India had extended “political protection” to Hasina without officially granting asylum — a move that strained ties with the new government.

For India, this election carries high stakes. During Khaleda Zia’s tenure (2001–2006), Dhaka was accused of harbouring anti-India elements and separatist groups operating in India’s northeast.
Any return of that political climate could reignite security concerns for New Delhi.

🔹 Nepal: Left Bloc Emerges, Political Equations Shift

In Nepal, the political chessboard is also realigning.
Recently, nine left-wing parties came together to form a new Left Alliance under the leadership of Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
The move has effectively split Nepal’s communist movement into two major factions, reshaping the power equation in Kathmandu.

Amid memories of Gen. G.K. Jene’s coup and Sushila Karki’s interim rule, the new alliance could redefine Nepal’s political direction.
Given the deep cultural, religious, and economic links between the two nations, India is monitoring the developments closely.

🔹 India’s Strategic Lens

For India, Bangladesh and Nepal are not just neighbours — they are vital geopolitical partners that influence its national security matrix.
Bangladesh’s internal instability could spill over into India’s northeastern states, while a consolidated left front in Nepal could tilt the regional balance toward China.

As both countries inch toward elections, India’s foreign policy watchers are on high alert, ensuring that the next chapter in South Asia’s politics doesn’t catch New Delhi off guard.