EXPLAINED | Friends or foes? What would Tarique Rahman’s govt in Bangladesh mean for Pakistan | World News

Bangladesh held its general elections on February 12, 2026, and the results were declared on Friday, marking a significant shift in the political environment of the neighboring country. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, won a landslide victory, winning well over the 151 seats needed to form a government in the 300-member Parliament. With this decisive appointment, Rahman is set to become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

With the emergence of the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance as the main opposition, the election results received reactions from political circles both at home and abroad.

Also read- DESCRIPTION | A new power in Dhaka: Will BNP’s victory lead Bangladesh into a new geopolitical era?

Bangladesh-Pakistan ties

With Tarique Rahman leading the government, attention now turns to the future of Bangladesh-Pakistan relations.

Relations between Dhaka and Islamabad improved during Muhammad Younis’s time as head of the interim government. But it is important to understand whether the BNP government will continue this course or recalibrate the relationship.

Economic cooperation

Assistant Professor at Amity Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, Amity University. Aparaajita Pandey said there was potential for renewed economic cooperation under the new government.

“I feel like there is potential for that, mostly because there will be a new government in Bangladesh and they will want to recover or rebuild their economy,” he said.

“Pakistan and Bangladesh may be a cautious start to things, but neither country can stay away from each other. So yes, there is potential for economic growth through trade,” he said.

Tarique Rahman’s foreign policy

On whether Rahman would recalibrate ties with Pakistan, Pandey suggested a gradual change rather than a dramatic departure from the interim government’s approach.

“I think Tarique Rahman will try to do something new. He will recalibrate a little bit, mostly because he wants to show that he is someone who is new, has more energy and has thoughts of his own,” he said. “As a new leader, it is very important to show this to your people.”

But he added that any changes would likely be gradual.

“This again will be a very slow and gradual departure from the course of the previous government, mostly because they will need to understand what their relationship with Pakistan might be like. They don’t know how much Pakistan will support them and how larger countries like the United States or China will react. So there are a lot of dynamics that they have to deal with.”

South Asian geopolitics

While the BNP may not substantially change the overall dynamic with Pakistan, given the broader regional context, Bangladesh will need to prioritize strengthening its relations with India.

Foreign policy is expected to be a key priority for Rahman. But domestically, the BNP faces significant challenges, including restoring stability in areas affected by violence and providing protection and support to minority communities.

When asked how improving Bangladesh-Pakistan relations could impact regional security dynamics in South Asia, Pandey said: “I feel that the political and military dynamics of South Asia will become more difficult, more tense to deal with. There will be a lot of stress in South Asia and India will have to be careful because after so much violence, so much stress and so on, lack of trust, it is seeping in through the borders.”

India-Bangladesh ties

BNP on Saturday expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory message following the party’s massive election victory.

Although relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan are bilateral, the international community follows the developments closely. Rahman’s policy choices could directly or indirectly affect the geopolitical balance in South Asia and change the direction of Dhaka’s foreign relations to regional significance.