Bangladesh’s interim government, headed by Abdus Sattar, has annulled a significant agreement with India to provide bandwidth transit for enhanced internet connectivity in India’s northeastern states.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) justified the cancellation by citing minimal economic benefits for Bangladesh and concerns over potentially hindering its ambition to emerge as a regional internet hub.
This decision, however, is widely interpreted as a consequence of deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The transition to an interim administration has been marked by unrest, including violence targeting minority groups, further straining bilateral ties.
The cancelled deal involved routing high-speed internet bandwidth from Singapore through Bangladesh to northeastern India. The project was spearheaded by two Bangladeshi companies, Summit Communications and Fiber@Home, both of which have alleged affiliations with the Awami League.
Observers believe the move will significantly disrupt India’s plans to enhance internet connectivity in its northeastern region while amplifying tensions between the neighboring countries.
As Bangladesh shifts focus to establishing itself as a regional internet hub, the decision underscores the changing dynamics of its foreign policy under the interim administration. Experts suggest the cancellation reflects growing unease over perceived economic and political imbalances in prior agreements with India.
The development marks a critical moment in India-Bangladesh relations, with potential long-term implications for regional connectivity and cooperation.
