The much-anticipated February 13 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC has ignited a flurry of interpretations and speculations, particularly regarding the alleged involvement of the American ‘deep state’ in Bangladesh’s political landscape. A short video clip of the two leaders addressing journalists has become the focal point of debate, with analysts on both sides of the India-Bangladesh border dissecting Trump’s remarks.
During the press interaction, Trump denied that the American ‘deep state’ under Joe Biden’s presidency was involved in any covert operation to topple Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year-long regime in Bangladesh. However, what caught the attention of keen observers was Trump’s implicit acknowledgment of the ‘deep state’s’ existence. By deferring to Modi to address the question, Trump hinted that India was privy to the details of such operations, raising eyebrows in Dhaka and New Delhi.
This revelation comes on the heels of a September 2024 report , which exposed secret overseas meetings between Bangladeshi student coordinators and retired Pakistani generals, allegedly aimed at destabilizing the Hasina regime. These meetings, which began in April 2023, took place in West Asian countries, further complicating the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Trump’s response, interpreted differently in Dhaka and New Delhi, suggested that the US had effectively handed India a “blank cheque” to manage Bangladesh’s unstable political and security situation. While Bangladeshi analysts viewed Trump’s remarks as a nod to India’s role in countering the ‘deep state’s’ operations, Indian observers saw it as a green signal for New Delhi to take a more assertive stance in dealing with its eastern neighbor.
The implications of this diplomatic maneuver have left Bangladeshi officials uneasy. A former senior Bangladeshi diplomat, speaking anonymously, revealed that the foreign ministry is uncertain about the direction of US-India relations concerning Bangladesh. “The US has given India a free hand, but how this will unfold remains unclear,” the diplomat stated.
Adding to the tension, Bangladeshi officials admitted that efforts to engage China, led by Environment Minister Syeda Rizwana Hasan, have failed to yield results. Meanwhile, Indian officials remain optimistic about their growing influence in Bangladesh, though concerns persist over rising anti-India sentiments among militant groups.
The situation remains volatile, especially after the February 5 incident when Islamist student agitators vandalized Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Dhaka residence. Security experts warn that the political and security climate in Bangladesh could deteriorate further, potentially leading to overt and covert responses along the India-Bangladesh border.
As the dust settles on the Trump-Modi meeting, one thing is clear: the geopolitical chessboard in South Asia is shifting, with Bangladesh at the center of a high-stakes game involving global and regional powers.
