Tarique Rahman Comes Home: What It Means for India and Bangladesh
Tarique Rahman – once called Bangladesh's "dark prince" – is back home after nearly 20 years living abroad. This isn't just about one man coming back; it could change Bangladesh's politics and how India deals with its neighbour.
Who Is He?
Rahman is Khaleda Zia's eldest son and leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition. His dad was President Ziaur Rahman. For years, he ran the party from London whilst the Awami League – the party in charge – tightened its grip on power. Without him there, the BNP fell apart and lost its punch. Now he's back in Dhaka, the opposition has got its mojo back.
Why India Should Care
A stronger BNP means proper elections with real competition. That makes Bangladesh's democracy healthier. For India, having a stable neighbour with a working democracy is much better than one where a single party controls everything.
Rahman being back also means less room for extremist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami. By taking charge of the BNP again, he weakens the dodgy groups that fill the gaps when mainstream politics is weak. That's good for India's security, particularly along the eastern border.
What About Business?
India's put loads of money into Bangladesh – roads, trade links, energy projects, the lot. If the BNP is willing to work with India, it means New Delhi can deal with whoever wins elections, rather than putting all its eggs in the Awami League basket.
The Dodgy Bits
Rahman's got baggage. He's been accused of corruption before, and he sometimes bangs the nationalist drum, which could make trust tricky. But even with that, the upsides of him being back probably outweigh the downsides.
Bottom Line
Rahman coming home makes Bangladesh's democracy stronger, pushes extremists to the sidelines, and gives India a chance to build bridges with the opposition. For India, that's actually decent news – not often that what happens across the border works in your favour.