NEW DELHI: With Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League winning handsomely in national elections, India plans to continue investing in Bangladesh to build on the growing economy of its eastern neighbour, and make it the linchpin of India’s Act East policy.PM Modi was the first foreign leader to congratulate Hasina, with whom he has built a close relationship. “India warmly congratulates the people of Bangladesh for reaffirming their faith in democracy, development and the vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ,” the government said in a statement, adding that Modi had conveyed congratulations on the decisive election results.“He expressed confidence that the partnership between India and Bangladesh will continue to flourish under her far-sighted leadership,” the statement added.The year gone by saw governments changing in all of India’s neighbours — from Pakistan to Nepal , Bhutan and Maldives. Bangladesh is the only one where the continuation of the incumbent is in India’s interest. With India and Bangladesh having settled their land and maritime boundaries, the relationship is on a more secure footing.In Bangladesh, Hasina’s victory makes it easier to push back against extremist forces, personified in the BNP-Jamaat combine. Intelligence sources in Dhaka said they had noticed a distinct uptick in Pakistan’s ISI activity in Bangladesh in the run-up to the elections.Bangladesh is now the largest recipient of Indian assistance. Hasina’s victory allows India to continue deepening the two pillars of the relationship — security and connectivity. She has been a steadfast ally for India, understanding that India’s security advanced her own. In return, India has had to be more sensitive to Hasina’s prime concern — Rohingyas — working harder with Myanmar to repatriate them, while helping Bangladesh with humanitarian assistance.In the coming years, the fate of the Rohingyas will occupy a larger space in both India and Bangladesh’s security concerns.