Following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) big victory in the recent Bangladesh parliamentary elections, an adviser to the party’s chairman, Humayun Kabir, made a notable statement about relations with India and extremism in South Asia.

Kabir, who speaks for BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, said that radicalisation is a concern across South Asia, and that “Hindu extremism and far-right intolerance” are growing trends in India. He described this as part of a larger problem, highlighting that extremism is not limited to one country but is seen in different forms in the region.

He said that in Pakistan too, extremist forces exist, although the context there is different. According to Kabir, Bangladesh does not face extremism at the same level as its neighbours, but still has issues that need careful attention. His remarks came as the BNP prepares to form the next government after a sweeping election win that gives the party a two-thirds majority in parliament.

A key point Kabir stressed is the importance of cooperation against extremism. He said that governments in South Asia should work together instead of acting alone. Sharing information, intelligence, and counter-terrorism efforts, he believes, will help all countries in the region identify and deal with extremist groups and activities more effectively.

Kabir explained that if nations only deal with security issues on their own without talking or sharing data, it could slow down progress against extremism. Cooperation at all levels, including diplomatic engagement, is what he described as the norm and a necessary measure, especially for governments that represent the people through democratic elections.

He emphasised that strong cooperation can help build trust, and that mutual exchange will help with finding and tracking extremists or terrorists in the region. This exchange, Kabir said, would make the region more secure and stable over time.

When questioned about concerns that India has raised regarding the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, especially Hindus, Kabir responded in a way that could influence how people see bilateral relations moving forward.

Kabir said that communal harmony in Bangladesh is stronger than in India. He claimed that violence against minorities in India does not exist in the same form in Bangladesh, where people of different religions live together peacefully. According to him, even during the recent political transition, there were no major attacks on minorities. He credited this to calm leadership that asked people to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

He noted that Muslims and minority communities in Bangladesh live together in harmony and that this coexistence has been maintained even in difficult moments. These remarks address a sensitive issue in India-Bangladesh relations and reflect the BNP’s perspective as it prepares to lead the country’s next government.

Kabir also commented on how the BNP may shape Bangladesh’s foreign policy once in government. He said that the party would aim for balanced relations with all countries, including India, Pakistan, and others. According to him, Bangladesh will not limit itself to ties with only one country, and it will not agree to any arrangement that restricts its ability to work with others freely.

This statement suggests that the BNP sees its future foreign relations not as favouring one partner but as ensuring that Bangladesh remains independent in its foreign policy decisions. It also signals that Dhaka may seek equal and respectful engagement with all neighbours and partners.

Kabir’s remarks come at a time when the BNP has just won a large majority and is preparing to govern. How these comments affect India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations remains a topic of interest for observers, especially given the historical importance and complexity of ties between the two neighbouring countries.