The Nexus of Geopolitics and Domestic Progress: A Case Study of Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh

Abstract ​This paper analyzes the tenure of Sheikh Hasina , a pivotal figure in Bangladeshi politics , focusing on the dynamic interplay between significant domestic socio-economic progress and persistent geopolitical vulnerabilities. Despite leading Bangladesh to notable economic growth, evidenced by soaring GDP and substantial poverty reduction , Hasina's political stability remained perpetually threatened by internal factionalism and complex regional dynamics. The analysis details her recurring reliance on India for political refuge , her efforts to protect minority populations , and her critical decisions regarding strategic assets, notably the refusal of a proposed U.S. military base on St. Martin’s Island . This study argues that the recent political "downfall" was not solely a function of domestic unrest but a culmination of the inherent tension between her nationalist agenda —which successfully navigated international pressures, particularly concerning the Bay of Bengal —…