Bangladesh-India relations depend on Delhi’s actions.
Bangladesh-India bilateral relations have been strained since the interim government took over office in the backdrop of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government through a mass uprising spearheaded by the anti-discrimination student movement. Relations are passing through an uncommon situation as various sensitive issues, including the minority issue, have come to the fore.
Even communication at the diplomatic level has been less than routine. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri visited Dhaka last Monday amidst a tense situation. This was the first visit to Dhaka by a high-level Indian official after the Hasina government fell in a student-public uprising on August 5. Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin led the meeting on behalf of Bangladesh.
Sources said the foreign secretary-level meeting analyzed the relations between the two countries in detail. Dhaka made it very clear to him that the interim government is not pleased with Sheikh Hasina’s provocative statements in India. Moreover, this so-called minority oppression has become a propagandist issue in Indian media. He was given a call on the necessary action for the same issue.
On the other side, it has also been given in crystal clear terms that there is no incident of minority oppression in Bangladesh. It was further elaborated that if India wants to have relations with Bangladesh, then it must have people-to-people relations, not with any government as in the past. If we want to move the relationship forward, we have to accept the situation after August 5.
On the other hand, India spoke of easing tensions and good relations with Bangladesh. India further elaborated that India wants people-to-people relations. The Indian Foreign Secretary, however, did not miss an opportunity to raise the issue of the alleged oppression of minorities. He expressed his hope that the current interim government will take steps in securing the minorities.
In this regard, Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor of the Department of International Relations at Dhaka University, said that the diplomatic contact with India was limited after August 5. In this situation, the country’s Foreign Secretary’s visit to Bangladesh is a good thing. It is learned that both sides presented their statements in the meeting.
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed said there is a need to find a solution to the continuing tensions on minorities and other issues. Saying that talks between the two countries are crucial to maintain relations at a normal level, he added that the further deterioration of this situation will be disastrous for both countries. This needs to be resolved at the negotiating table. These are such issues that should be discussed between the two countries at the government level, and the communication should be increased.
India also said in the meeting at the Foreign Secretary level that they want to maintain people-to-people relations in Bangladesh, not with any particular government or party as it happened in the past. Relation with a particular government or party does not benefit at the end. This trend of hatred must be stopped first, which is being spread by Indian media and the leaders of political parties against Bangladesh. Now it is to be seen what steps India takes following the Foreign Secretary-level meeting. This depends on the direction in which the relations will go in the days to come.
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