India sees the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh after 17 years as a positive development in the current political context, Indian media outlet India Today has reported.

In its analysis, India Today described Tarique Rahman as Bangladesh’s “Dark Prince” and said his return could yield favourable outcomes for India in the future, particularly as a counterweight to what it termed reactionary Islamist groups operating under Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh.

The report alleged that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami acts as an ally of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, and argued that in such a scenario, Tarique Rahman is better positioned to steer the country towards liberalism and improve relations with New Delhi.

Referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expression of sympathy over BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s illness, the report said Modi, on December 1, assured all possible assistance. BNP, in turn, welcomed Modi’s supportive stance. According to India Today, India’s relations with BNP are currently improving compared to the past.

The report also noted that Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—who fled the country and took refuge in India on August 5, 2024, in the face of a mass uprising—had maintained the strongest ties with New Delhi. Hasina, it said, adopted a firm stance towards China while keeping distance from Pakistan.

In contrast, the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus has taken the opposite approach by fostering close relations with Pakistan and creating distance from India—moves that, the report claimed, send negative signals to New Delhi.

Although Tarique Rahman has said, “Bangladesh first, not Delhi or Pindi,” India Today observed that the slogan does not carry anti-India sentiment. The outlet compared the slogan to former US President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine.

India also views positively Tarique’s criticism of the Yunus government’s long-term policy decisions, particularly in foreign relations, the report said. Expressing optimism about the upcoming national election, India Today suggested that a BNP victory would create a comparatively more favourable strategic environment for India.

Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh for the UK in 2018 after being released from prison during the caretaker government’s tenure. He sought political asylum in the UK in 2012, which was approved within a year.

After 17 years in exile, Tarique returned home on December 25. BNP supporters hailed his homecoming as a “royal grand return,” claiming that nearly five million people accorded him a reception. In his address, Tarique pledged to rebuild the country together, echoing the style of American leader Martin Luther King Jr, declaring, “I have a plan.”