Dhaka, Oct. 8 -- BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said that Bangladesh's relationship with India will depend on the will of the Bangladeshi people, warning that if India continues to support "autocratic" elements, it risks alienating ordinary citizens.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Bangla, published on Tuesday - his first media appearance in 17 years - Tarique said, "If India shelters autocracy and becomes unpopular among the people of Bangladesh, there's nothing we can do about it. The people have decided to keep a distance, and I must stand with my people."

Tarique's comments came in response to a question about strained Dhaka-Delhi relations over the past year, particularly after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government ...