ISAS Insights

This paper examines how evolving multi-state groupings such as the European Union are likely to shape international relations of the future. In doing so it analyses relations between one such grouping, the EU, and a state-actor, Bangladesh in South Asia, eventually extrapolating some more-generally applicable conclusions. Europe's relations with South Asia are undergoing a process of renewal. They date back very far, when Alexander the Great in 323BC knocked at the doors of India and established the Bactrian kingdoms in today's Afghanistan and Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa in Pakistan. Two thousand years later the Europeans returned as traders. Their flags followed their trade. Lord Clive's victory at Plassey through a combination of dare and deceit over Nawab Sirajuddowla of Bengal began a period of British imperial rule that ended when India (and Pakistan) made their 'tryst with destiny', in Nehru's words in August 1947. It had left a mixed taste in the mouth. However, connections continued.