Jayanth Thrissur asked: How is India's relationship with various major political parties of Bangladesh?

Smruti S. Pattanaik replies: Among the three major political parties of Bangladesh, the Awami League is ideologically closer to India as it believes in secularism and democracy. The present government, which is led by the Awami League, is strongly supported by India.

India also shares good relations with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Historically, BNP’s relations with India were not good both for ideological reasons and given its close ties with Pakistan. However, BNP's relations with India improved significantly after Begum Khaleda Zia’s visit to India in 2012.

India does not have any relationship with the Jamaat-e-Islami. It also does not approve of BNP's relations with the Jamaat.

Posted on January 04, 2016