The government of Bangladesh expressed concern that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) victories in West Bengal and Assam could trigger the expulsion of illegal migrants [1, 2].
This diplomatic friction highlights the volatility of border relations between Dhaka and New Delhi. Bangladesh fears that a BJP-led administration in these regions may intensify efforts to deport undocumented migrants, many of whom are Bangladeshi nationals residing in India [1, 2].
The concerns follow a series of electoral shifts in India's northeast and east. The BJP secured wins in Assam, with results announced in March 2024 [2], and in West Bengal, where assembly elections took place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2024 [2].
Dhaka has specifically raised the issue of push-backs, the practice of forcing migrants back across the border without formal legal processing [1]. The ruling party in India has historically emphasized the identification and removal of undocumented foreigners to maintain national security and demographic balance.
Officials in Dhaka said they hope the political shift in these states does not undermine the broader diplomatic reset process between the two nations [2]. The potential for mass deportations remains a primary point of contention, as it could create a humanitarian crisis and strain bilateral ties—especially if the process lacks transparency or legal oversight [1, 2].
While the BJP has focused on legal frameworks for deportation, the Bangladeshi government remains wary of unilateral actions at the border. The situation reflects a long-standing tension over citizenship and residency rights in the border regions of Assam and West Bengal [2].
“Bangladesh fears that a BJP-led government may intensify efforts to deport undocumented migrants.”
The tension underscores the intersection of domestic Indian electoral politics and international diplomacy. Because the BJP often campaigns on a platform of strict immigration enforcement and the removal of 'infiltrators,' its success in border states like West Bengal and Assam directly impacts Bangladesh's foreign policy. This suggests that the 'reset' in Dhaka-Delhi relations is fragile and susceptible to the ideological priorities of regional Indian governments.
