Thursday
19th Dec 2024
Dhivehi Edition
India's top diplomat, Vikram Misri, arrived in Dhaka on Monday in a bid to address months of strained relations between the two nations after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in a student-led revolution in August. The interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has accused India of attempts to destabilize his government, labeling its actions as "acts of aggression."
Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years with Indian support, fled to New Delhi after her removal and remains there under India's protection. Bangladesh has since announced plans to seek her extradition, which India has yet to address. In exile, Hasina has used virtual platforms to criticize the interim government, accusing it of targeting minorities and opposing democratic principles.
Misri, the secretary of India’s foreign ministry, characterized his visit as a step toward fostering "positive and mutually beneficial relations." However, Yunus, an outspoken critic of India's support for Hasina’s regime, has condemned India's alleged interference, accusing the country of spreading propaganda and exaggerating minority violence in Bangladesh for political leverage.
Escalating Accusations and Protests
India has accused Bangladesh of failing to protect its Hindu minority after Hasina’s ouster, with recent arrests of Hindu figures, including a prominent priest charged with sedition, fueling tensions. Yunus's government has condemned attacks on Hindus but insists that many incidents are politically motivated rather than religiously driven.
These accusations have sparked anti-India sentiment across Bangladesh. Opposition demonstrations, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have protested against perceived Indian interference and retaliated against provocations such as the attempted storming of Bangladesh's consulate in India by Hindu activists.
Adding to the strain, Hasina has maintained her political influence abroad. Speaking to Awami League supporters in London via videolink, she reaffirmed her claim to leadership, despite widespread opposition in Bangladesh.
India's Response and Strategic Diplomacy
Misri acknowledged the grievances during discussions with Yunus's interim administration, including attacks on diplomatic and religious institutions. He refrained from directly addressing allegations of aggression, instead urging both sides to work towards a "forward-looking and constructive" relationship.
India’s overt support for Hasina has drawn criticism for enabling her autocratic rule, marked by rights abuses and suppression of political rivals, including Yunus. Analysts view Misri’s visit as a strategic move to contain damage to India’s regional influence as anti-India sentiment grows within Bangladesh.
While both nations have historically shared close ties, the current rift highlights the complexities of balancing political alliances with internal and international pressures. India now faces increasing scrutiny over its role in the region, with Yunus's government demanding accountability for past interventions.