In a move that could mark a cautious step toward re-engagement, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to visit India next week to participate in a regional security conclave, officials familiar with the matter said on Friday. Rahman, a close aide to Bangladesh’s interim government head Muhammad Yunus, will be only the second high-level Bangladeshi official to visit New Delhi since the abrupt exit of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

Rahman’s visit, planned for November 19, comes at a sensitive juncture in India-Bangladesh relations, which have been under strain since the caretaker government assumed office following Hasina’s departure. According to sources, Rahman is expected to attend the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) on November 20 at the invitation of India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. A formal announcement regarding the visit or the conclave has not yet been made. While the CSC is primarily a regional security-focused platform, officials have not ruled out the possibility of bilateral talks between Rahman and Doval on the sidelines of the conclave.

Context of Strained Ties

The relationship between India and Bangladesh has seen a significant deterioration since the interim government led by Yunus took office. Hasina fled to India after weeks of widespread protests across Bangladesh, led mainly by student groups opposed to her government. Her sudden exit and the installation of a caretaker administration created immediate political uncertainty and complicated bilateral ties. Since then, interactions between the top leadership of the two countries have been limited, with both sides taking cautious, sometimes conflicting, positions.

The interim government in Dhaka, with Rahman as one of its most influential figures, has been vocal in asserting its priorities, including demands for Hasina’s extradition, while simultaneously facing criticism from India over the treatment of minorities and suppression of political opposition. The Indian government, in turn, has urged Dhaka to ensure free, fair, and credible elections that facilitate a democratic transition, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive political process in Bangladesh.

Several recent developments have exacerbated tensions. Over the past week, Hasina granted multiple interviews to Indian media outlets, triggering protests from Bangladesh’s foreign ministry, which summoned a senior Indian diplomat in Dhaka to demand a halt to her media access. These incidents have underscored the volatility in bilateral relations and highlighted the sensitivity surrounding the former prime minister’s political activities while in India.

Prior Engagements Between the Two Countries

Despite the strained political context, limited official contacts have continued between the two countries on technical and sectoral matters. In February 2025, Bangladesh’s de facto energy minister Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan became the first member of the caretaker administration to visit India, participating in the India Energy Week. Additionally, officials from both sides have maintained dialogue through long-standing bilateral mechanisms addressing border management, water-sharing agreements, and trade facilitation. These institutionalized interactions have ensured that certain essential cooperation channels remain functional, even amid political tensions.

Khalilur Rahman himself has emerged as a key negotiator for Bangladesh on several fronts, particularly trade and strategic partnerships with the United States. His experience and position in the interim government make him a critical interlocutor in discussions with New Delhi, not only on regional security issues but also on broader bilateral concerns, including trade, cross-border security, and counterterrorism cooperation.

Colombo Security Conclave and Strategic Cooperation

The Colombo Security Conclave, which Rahman is attending at India’s invitation, is a regional platform that brings together National Security Advisers and senior security officials from India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. Seychelles holds observer status in the grouping. Bangladesh became a full member of the conclave in 2024, reflecting its growing engagement in regional security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

The CSC primarily focuses on countering threats such as terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and maritime security challenges. Participation in such a forum is strategically important for Bangladesh, as it offers a neutral multilateral platform to engage with India and other regional partners without the political sensitivities of bilateral visits dominating the agenda. For India, the conclave provides an opportunity to advance regional security cooperation while maintaining dialogue with the caretaker administration, ensuring continuity in strategic partnerships despite political turbulence.

Potential Bilateral Engagement on the Sidelines

While the conclave is the official reason for Rahman’s visit, there remains a strong possibility of bilateral engagement with India’s NSA Ajit Doval on the sidelines. Such a meeting could serve multiple purposes: an assessment of current India-Bangladesh ties, discussions on security and trade cooperation, and laying the groundwork for electoral stability in Bangladesh. With elections tentatively scheduled for February 2026, both sides have an interest in maintaining minimal friction and ensuring that regional security and economic cooperation are not adversely affected by domestic political developments in Bangladesh.

India’s engagement with the interim government is particularly delicate. While New Delhi has been critical of the caretaker setup’s failure to address human rights concerns, it has also sought to maintain channels of dialogue to protect cross-border trade, water-sharing arrangements, and broader regional security cooperation. Similarly, Dhaka’s caretaker administration has been cautious in its interactions with India, balancing the need for international engagement against domestic political sensitivities and opposition scrutiny.

Challenges Ahead in India-Bangladesh Relations

The upcoming visit underscores the challenges that both sides face in normalizing relations. The political fallout from Hasina’s departure continues to dominate bilateral discourse, with the Indian government pushing for democratic processes and the caretaker administration prioritizing its political legitimacy. The interim government’s strict measures, including banning Awami League activities and controlling political expression, have drawn repeated concern from New Delhi, adding further strain.

The visit also occurs against a backdrop of ongoing regional security concerns. The Indian Ocean region faces multiple security challenges, from maritime piracy to the trafficking of narcotics and organized crime. Engagement through platforms such as the Colombo Security Conclave allows both countries to collaborate on shared concerns, even when political relations are strained. By participating actively in the conclave, Bangladesh signals its willingness to remain engaged in regional security frameworks, which could pave the way for more substantive bilateral dialogue in the future.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Elections

Both India and Bangladesh are aware that the next year will be crucial. The caretaker government has announced plans to hold national elections in February 2026, though specific dates are yet to be declared. India has consistently called for free, fair, and credible elections, emphasizing inclusivity to ensure a stable democratic transition. How the interim government manages the electoral process, and whether opposition parties can participate freely, will significantly shape bilateral relations going forward.

Rahman’s visit, therefore, carries multiple dimensions. While it is framed as a multilateral engagement at the CSC, it also provides an avenue for India and Bangladesh to assess and potentially stabilize their bilateral relationship ahead of pivotal domestic elections in Dhaka. Observers note that maintaining dialogue with Rahman, who has emerged as the interim government’s key security and trade negotiator, could be crucial for India to protect its interests in cross-border trade, water management, and regional security cooperation.

Conclusion

Khalilur Rahman’s upcoming visit to India marks a delicate but potentially important engagement between two neighboring countries whose ties have been significantly strained over the past year. Against a backdrop of political upheaval in Bangladesh, Hasina’s exile, and rising domestic tensions, the visit to participate in the Colombo Security Conclave offers a multilateral cover while providing opportunities for bilateral discussions.

The visit underscores the complexities of India-Bangladesh relations in the post-Hasina period. While political differences remain stark, both sides continue to recognize the strategic importance of maintaining dialogue, cooperation on security, and engagement on issues of mutual economic interest. Rahman’s presence in New Delhi next week will not only test the caretaker government’s approach to foreign relations but also provide India an opportunity to reassert its influence and safeguard regional security imperatives.

With elections scheduled in early 2026, the coming months are likely to be critical for defining the trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations, and Rahman’s visit may offer the first glimpse into whether pragmatic engagement can take precedence over political discord.