The New Bangladeshi Government and Opportunities for Relations with Russia

The victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the 2026 elections opens a new chapter in relations between Dhaka and Moscow, where at the intersection of energy projects, geopolitical calculations, and the “Bangladesh First” strategy, a renewed architecture of bilateral partnership is being shaped.

In the early 1990s, Bangladeshi relations with Russia normalized and expanded in various dimensions. After the developments of August 2024, diplomatic and multilateral exchanges, along with numerous “constructive cooperation” between Bangladesh and Russia, continued.

In the past year and a half, there have been many bilateral visits by the two countries’ officials. In the February 12, 2026, Bangladesh elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won an overwhelming majority of the votes.

Meanwhile, Russia’s attention to relations with Bangladeshi parties such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the past year and a half indicates the preparation for the beginning of a new era of relations.

As reported, on January 20, Russian Ambassador Alexander Khozin held talks with Tariq Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, to gradually strengthen mutually beneficial relations between Russia and Bangladesh and areas of bilateral cooperation.

In addition, the October 2025 Russian-Bangladesh talks on the development of bilateral relations and interaction in multilateral forums, including within the framework of the UN, are important.

Political and geopolitical opportunities

In the political sphere, the countries have practically no unresolved disputes or conflicts, and there are prerequisites for the successful development of relations in various areas.

In recent years, Bangladesh has been striving for full membership in the BRICS group, and Russia has supported Bangladesh’s more prominent role in the BRICS group.

In the past, Russia and Bangladesh have cooperated in important international organizations, including the United Nations, and have common interests in building a just and multipolar world order, ensuring global and regional security, and fighting against terrorism and climate change.

As of 2025, Russia and Bangladesh have paid attention to positive interaction in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, and have also jointly supported the creation of a just multipolar world order. In this regard, in December 2025, Russia called on Bangladesh and India to find a way to prevent further escalation.

After the 2026 elections, the newly elected government in Dhaka believes that foreign policy should no longer be considered an identity or a party tool but should be a common national framework.

From this perspective, Bangladesh, while maintaining constructive relations with all countries, will follow the doctrine of “Bangladesh First” with a bold, responsible, and interests-based foreign policy. Therefore, the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s foreign policy, with the principle of “Bangladesh First” of sovereign equality, respect for independence, non-interference in internal affairs, national dignity, and mutual benefit, will avoid unilateral arrangements in its foreign interactions. This approach can also be an important platform for strengthening relations with Russia.

Also, in implementing a responsible and courageous diplomatic strategy based on national interests and constructive global engagement, Bangladesh pursues a policy of “non-exclusivity” of constructive engagement with Russia, India, China, and the United States.

Bangladesh-Russia trade and economic relations, based on previous agreements, cover a wide range of issues related to bilateral trade, energy, information and communication technology development, and cooperation.

Bangladesh currently plays a pivotal role in the emerging Indo-Pacific order at a critical turning point in the region’s geopolitics and geoeconomics. Therefore, it is important to maintain strong economic relations and maintain strategic independence without losing any major players.

Following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) coming to power, strengthening relations based on equality, fairness, pragmatism, recognition of mutual interests, and adherence to international laws and regulations has been highlighted.

Relations have been maintained on the basis of economic, energy, and technical cooperation. The construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), with a loan of $11.38 billion from Russia, will play a significant role in meeting the needs of the economy by 10 percent of Bangladesh’s total electricity demand and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.

In February 2026, the Russian State Duma approved amendments to four intergovernmental loan agreements between Russia and Bangladesh related to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. In fact, the amendments are intended to overcome the problems and mechanisms for the repayment of loans and extend the term of the loan until 2027. This could have a positive impact on the development of energy cooperation between the two countries.

Although Ukraine last year called for the EU to sanction Bangladeshi institutions for importing grain from Russia, Bangladesh is among the top importers of Russian grain. Fertilizer supply is another Russian export. In fact, cooperation in the field of food security is significant. In January, Russia donated 30,000 tons of potash to Bangladesh.

In December 2025, Russia and Bangladesh discussed food security and the supply of fertilizer from Russia, and cooperation in gas production and sustainable energy.

Gazprom’s role in the country’s energy sector, with gas wells and exploration, is also prominent. In fact, cooperation in the field of gas extraction and transportation, renewable energy, technology transfer, and training of Bangladeshi specialists remains an important platform for strengthening relations.

Bangladesh has been a member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) since 2021, and the bank has already allocated resources to provide to Bangladesh.

There is also potential for expanding multilateral cooperation in the Eurasian Economic Union, the North and South corridors, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Although China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, despite Western sanctions against Russia, Bangladesh-Russia trade in 2025 will make Russia Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner in South Asia. Bilateral trade exceeds $2 billion annually.

Military and soft power engagement

Bangladesh’s participation in the Zapad-2025 joint military exercise between Russia and Belarus in September 2025, aimed at building cooperation and mutual trust with Russia, is indicative of deepening bilateral defense-security cooperation. Following the visit of the Bangladesh Army Chief to Moscow in April 2025, a potential shift in Bangladesh’s military partnerships and diversification of defense purchases seems to be under consideration.

Russia could still play a greater role in the modernization of Bangladesh’s armed forces under the new government in Dhaka.

The year 2025 was marked by a flurry of cultural and educational events, with Bangladeshi youth showing keen interest in higher education in Russia and an emphasis on the soft and cultural spheres in relations.

Cultural diplomacy plays an important role in relations between Russia and Bangladesh. The two countries have significant potential in the area of ​​soft power and exploring new areas of cooperation, cultural and tourism exchanges, easing visa restrictions, attracting foreign workers and Bangladeshi students to Russia, direct flights and transportation, educational cooperation, scholarships, and exchanges.

Challenges and Prospects

With the February 9 trade agreement between the interim government and the United States, the new Bangladesh government fears the expansion of economic relations with Russia and the punitive 37 percent US tariff on Bangladeshi exports.

Some in Bangladesh believe that the country will practically not be able to enter into trade agreements, free trade agreements (FTAs), or any other type of agreement with countries such as China or Russia. The relationship also faces significant challenges, including Western sanctions, banking problems, and great power competition in the region.

However, there appears to be some progress in these areas. In the meantime, the ability of the new Bangladesh government to manage conflicts and maintain its strategic independence will play an important role in the future development of its relations with Russia.

It seems that energy cooperation will remain a main pillar of bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Russia and an important driving force. Also, in relations with Russia, economic diplomacy, preferential trade agreements, and the development of strategic partnerships will also be considered.

Moreover, in an emerging non-unipolar world order, relations between the two countries can become much more multidimensional.

Samyar Rostami, а political observer and senior researcher in international relations

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