India, Feb. 10 -- As Bangladesh heads towards one of its most consequential elections in nearly two decades, its political discourse is beginning to sound strikingly familiar to Indian voters.

Cash handouts for women, universal healthcare, affordable housing and subsidised food now dominate the manifestos of Bangladesh's major political players, mirroring welfare schemes that have delivered decisive electoral gains in India.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, and Jamaat-e-Islami have both rolled out ambitious welfare-heavy manifestos, drawing clear parallels with Indian initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, the Ladli and Ladki Bahin schemes, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

These promises come as Bangladesh pr...