Hilsa Diplomacy in South Asia: Soft Power, Shared Waters, and Bilateral Relations between India and Bangladesh

Shared transboundary resources are both the source of cooperation and conflicts in South Asia. This study examines the significance of ‘Hilsa diplomacy’ as a soft power strategy and its impact on India-Bangladesh bilateral relations. The Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) region is the habitat of the premium table fish named Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha). In South Asia, Hilsa fish is highly valued in terms of culture, economy, and politics. Hilsa production has decreased due to overfishing, reduced river flow, and environmental degradation. The study also highlights the importance of Hilsa diplomacy in the context of transboundary rivers, economic interests, and cultural ties. By framing the fish as an instrument of soft power and symbolic diplomacy, this paper analyses how Bangladesh has utilised it as a diplomatic and strategic resource during the religious festivals and political affairs. The study finds that the limited supply of Hilsa fish and differences in transboundary river water sharing have weakened the bilateral relations between the two countries. The research implemented qualitative methods to analyse secondary data, government statements, and policy documents.