- Jan 24, 2024
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- #136
Yes - well noted.
But we have no option for now other than playing nice with the US.
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[🇧🇩] Indo-Bangla Relation: India's Regional Ambition, Geopolitical Reality, and Strategic Options For Bangladesh
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Bangladesh Defense Forum
Yes - well noted.
But we have no option for now other than playing nice with the US.
- Jan 26, 2024
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He is the one involved in ouster of Hasina as well.
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Bangladesh not exporting hilsa to India this year
Bangladesh will not export hilsa fish to India on the occasion of Durga Puja in October, according to a top commerce ministry official, discontinuing a long-standing tradition of the country as a “goodwill gesture” to its neighbour.
Bangladesh not exporting hilsa to India this year
Bangladesh will not export hilsa fish to India on the occasion of Durga Puja in October, according to a top commerce ministry official, discontinuing a long-standing tradition of the country as a "goodwill gesture" to its neighbour.
The decision of the export ban is to ensure adequate hilsa supply in the local market so that the prized fish remains more accessible to people, according to authorities.
This stand by the interim government marks a clear departure from the deposed Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.
During the puja festival, Bangladesh, the largest producer of hilsa, usually relaxes the ban on exports of the fish, a sought-after delicacy especially in India's West Bengal.
Hilsa consignments from Dhaka are treated as a gift to Indian people from Bangladesh during the biggest religious fest for Hindu people.
"We have around 50 applications pending for exporting the fish to India," said a senior commerce ministry official. "But we have not received any export permission from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock this year."
As per policy, the commerce ministry permits the export of any goods based on the opinion of the ministry concerned.
In the case of hilsa, the fisheries and livestock ministry did not allow for exports this year, the official said, requesting not to be named.
Farida Akhtar, adviser to the fisheries and livestock ministry, in multiple media interviews said the interim government wants to increase hilsa supply in the domestic market.
In fiscal 2023-24, Bangladesh exported 664.86 tonnes of hilsa to India at $7.71 million, according to data from the Department of Fisheries.
In fiscal 2022-23, Bangladesh exported 1,376.42 tonnes of hilsa worth $13.68 million, the data shows.
Demand for the fish is also high in Bangladesh. Despite an uptick in hilsa hauls in recent years, the fish still remains pricier in the local market.
In fiscal 2022-23, Bangladesh produced a total of 571,342 tonnes of hilsa. In fiscal 2021-22, the production of hilsa was 566,593 tonnes, shows fisheries data.
Hilsa is netted from rivers in August and September, when the fish comes into rivers from the Bay of Bengal to lay eggs. Fishers catch up to 600,000 tonnes of the fish annually, with a majority of the haul coming from the sea.
In 2017, hilsa was recognised as a geographical indicator for the country.
Despite being the national fish, buying hilsa still is a luxury for many in the marginal class.
In Dhaka, a piece of hilsa weighing one kilogramme (kg) is being sold between Tk 1,400 and Tk 1,600 at retail. Hilsa weighing below one kg is priced between Tk 1,100 and Tk 1,200 per kg at retail.
Bangladesh will not export hilsa fish to India on the occasion of Durga Puja in October, according to a top commerce ministry official, discontinuing a long-standing tradition of the country as a "goodwill gesture" to its neighbour.
The decision of the export ban is to ensure adequate hilsa supply in the local market so that the prized fish remains more accessible to people, according to authorities.
This stand by the interim government marks a clear departure from the deposed Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.
During the puja festival, Bangladesh, the largest producer of hilsa, usually relaxes the ban on exports of the fish, a sought-after delicacy especially in India's West Bengal.
Hilsa consignments from Dhaka are treated as a gift to Indian people from Bangladesh during the biggest religious fest for Hindu people.
"We have around 50 applications pending for exporting the fish to India," said a senior commerce ministry official. "But we have not received any export permission from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock this year."
As per policy, the commerce ministry permits the export of any goods based on the opinion of the ministry concerned.
In the case of hilsa, the fisheries and livestock ministry did not allow for exports this year, the official said, requesting not to be named.
Farida Akhtar, adviser to the fisheries and livestock ministry, in multiple media interviews said the interim government wants to increase hilsa supply in the domestic market.
In fiscal 2023-24, Bangladesh exported 664.86 tonnes of hilsa to India at $7.71 million, according to data from the Department of Fisheries.
In fiscal 2022-23, Bangladesh exported 1,376.42 tonnes of hilsa worth $13.68 million, the data shows.
Demand for the fish is also high in Bangladesh. Despite an uptick in hilsa hauls in recent years, the fish still remains pricier in the local market.
In fiscal 2022-23, Bangladesh produced a total of 571,342 tonnes of hilsa. In fiscal 2021-22, the production of hilsa was 566,593 tonnes, shows fisheries data.
Hilsa is netted from rivers in August and September, when the fish comes into rivers from the Bay of Bengal to lay eggs. Fishers catch up to 600,000 tonnes of the fish annually, with a majority of the haul coming from the sea.
In 2017, hilsa was recognised as a geographical indicator for the country.
Despite being the national fish, buying hilsa still is a luxury for many in the marginal class.
In Dhaka, a piece of hilsa weighing one kilogramme (kg) is being sold between Tk 1,400 and Tk 1,600 at retail. Hilsa weighing below one kg is priced between Tk 1,100 and Tk 1,200 per kg at retail.
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Bangladesh for working relations with Delhi on mutual respect: adviser
Foreign adviser to the interim government, Md Touhid Hossain, said on Saturday that Dhaka would like to maintain working relations with New Delhi on the basis of...
www.newagebd.net
Bangladesh for working relations with Delhi on mutual respect: adviser
Staff Correspondent 21 September, 2024, 16:39
Foreign adviser to the interim government Md Touhid Hossain.
Foreign adviser to the interim government, Md Touhid Hossain, said on Saturday that Dhaka would like to maintain working relations with New Delhi on the basis of mutual respect by removing ongoing tension between the two neighbours.
Admitting the current strain in the India-Bangladesh relations, he said that it was necessary to admit problem if there was any to resolve that.
‘We must recognise that there is a kind of tension in our relations with India at the moment. We can resolve the problem and maintain working relations with them on the basis of mutual respect,’ Touhid, also a retired diplomat, told a press briefing on Bangladesh’s participation in the 79th United Nations General Assembly at the foreign ministry.
He expressed his belief that it was possible to advance bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh on the basis of mutual respect and fairness.
Responding to another question, he said that there was no possibility of any meeting between chief adviser to the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UNGA, saying that ‘Modi is scheduled to leave New York before Professor Yunus is to reach there’.
The foreign adviser, however, said that he would have a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the UNGA.
He said that the chief adviser was expected to join bilateral talks with the prime minister of Pakistan, the prime minister of the Netherlands and the prime minister of Nepal.
He would also join a meeting with the United States secretary of state Antony Blinken on the sidelines.
Touhid said that Professor Yunus would leave Dhaka for New York on September 23 by a commercial flight with a 57-member delegation unlike previous years with more than 100 delegates by chartered flights.
Concluding his three-day trip, the chief adviser would leave for Bangladesh on September 27, he added.
This would be the first foreign trip of Professor Yunus after he took over as the chief adviser to the interim government on August 8 following the fall of autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5.
Asked whether the government was taking any move to bring back Hasina, now facing dozens of cases on charges of murders and committing crimes against humanity, Touhid iterated that they would follow a judicial process in this regard.
Asked about Bangladesh’s focus in the UNGA, he said that the chief adviser was expected to present an account of the student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh behind the political changeover leading to the formation of the interim government and his reform agenda in various sectors to the international communities.
Staff Correspondent 21 September, 2024, 16:39
Foreign adviser to the interim government Md Touhid Hossain.
Foreign adviser to the interim government, Md Touhid Hossain, said on Saturday that Dhaka would like to maintain working relations with New Delhi on the basis of mutual respect by removing ongoing tension between the two neighbours.
Admitting the current strain in the India-Bangladesh relations, he said that it was necessary to admit problem if there was any to resolve that.
‘We must recognise that there is a kind of tension in our relations with India at the moment. We can resolve the problem and maintain working relations with them on the basis of mutual respect,’ Touhid, also a retired diplomat, told a press briefing on Bangladesh’s participation in the 79th United Nations General Assembly at the foreign ministry.
He expressed his belief that it was possible to advance bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh on the basis of mutual respect and fairness.
Responding to another question, he said that there was no possibility of any meeting between chief adviser to the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UNGA, saying that ‘Modi is scheduled to leave New York before Professor Yunus is to reach there’.
The foreign adviser, however, said that he would have a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the UNGA.
He said that the chief adviser was expected to join bilateral talks with the prime minister of Pakistan, the prime minister of the Netherlands and the prime minister of Nepal.
He would also join a meeting with the United States secretary of state Antony Blinken on the sidelines.
Touhid said that Professor Yunus would leave Dhaka for New York on September 23 by a commercial flight with a 57-member delegation unlike previous years with more than 100 delegates by chartered flights.
Concluding his three-day trip, the chief adviser would leave for Bangladesh on September 27, he added.
This would be the first foreign trip of Professor Yunus after he took over as the chief adviser to the interim government on August 8 following the fall of autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5.
Asked whether the government was taking any move to bring back Hasina, now facing dozens of cases on charges of murders and committing crimes against humanity, Touhid iterated that they would follow a judicial process in this regard.
Asked about Bangladesh’s focus in the UNGA, he said that the chief adviser was expected to present an account of the student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh behind the political changeover leading to the formation of the interim government and his reform agenda in various sectors to the international communities.
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Biden, Modi talk about Bangladesh
The developments in Bangladesh came up during discussions between US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the former’s personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware, yesterday.
Biden, Modi talk about Bangladesh
File photo: US President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies in the East Room of the White House in Washington, US, June 23, 2023. File photo: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein
The developments in Bangladesh came up during discussions between US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the former's personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware, yesterday.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said there was also an exchange of views between Modi and Biden about the situation in Bangladesh.
Vikram's remarks came during a media briefing in Washington in reply to a question from India's state-owned TV channel Doordarshan journalist if Bangladesh was a part of the discussions between the two leaders and if he could share the contours of the discussion.
"Look, as I said, these discussions cover subjects that are in the region. They may be of bilateral interest to one party or the other, but they do have significance beyond the region as well. In this context, a number of situations came up for discussion. Bangladesh also figured in the discussions, and there was an exchange of views with regard to the situation there."
Vikram did not elaborate further.
This was the first time that Bangladesh came up in the discussions between Modi and Biden in their first in-person bilateral meeting since the change of guard in that country after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister on August 5 in the face of a student-led mass movement that led to her escape to India.
The Modi-Biden sharing views on Bangladesh came in the backdrop of reports that the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus may meet Biden in the US later this week.
The possibility of a first in-person meeting between Modi and Yunus has been dashed as the chief adviser is going to the US only after Modi returns to India from his three-day visit to the US.
File photo: US President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies in the East Room of the White House in Washington, US, June 23, 2023. File photo: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein
The developments in Bangladesh came up during discussions between US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the former's personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware, yesterday.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said there was also an exchange of views between Modi and Biden about the situation in Bangladesh.
Vikram's remarks came during a media briefing in Washington in reply to a question from India's state-owned TV channel Doordarshan journalist if Bangladesh was a part of the discussions between the two leaders and if he could share the contours of the discussion.
"Look, as I said, these discussions cover subjects that are in the region. They may be of bilateral interest to one party or the other, but they do have significance beyond the region as well. In this context, a number of situations came up for discussion. Bangladesh also figured in the discussions, and there was an exchange of views with regard to the situation there."
Vikram did not elaborate further.
This was the first time that Bangladesh came up in the discussions between Modi and Biden in their first in-person bilateral meeting since the change of guard in that country after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister on August 5 in the face of a student-led mass movement that led to her escape to India.
The Modi-Biden sharing views on Bangladesh came in the backdrop of reports that the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus may meet Biden in the US later this week.
The possibility of a first in-person meeting between Modi and Yunus has been dashed as the chief adviser is going to the US only after Modi returns to India from his three-day visit to the US.
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India eager to strengthen ties with Bangladesh
India is eager to further strengthen its relationship with Bangladesh, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday after meeting Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma.
India eager to strengthen ties with Bangladesh
Says Mirza Fakhrul after meeting Pranay Verma
Photo: Collected
India is eager to further strengthen its relationship with Bangladesh, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday after meeting Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma.
"They also want to strengthen our relationships with the political parties of their country," Fakhrul told reporters after the meeting at the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan.
The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, is the first formal talks between Indian officials and BNP leaders since Sheikh Hasina's regime was deposed on August 5.
Fakhrul said, "We raised the issues Bangladesh is facing with India, including the water-sharing issue, which requires a swift resolution."
On border killings, Fakhrul said, "We also conveyed the necessity of stopping the border killings.
"We also discussed security concerns between both the countries. They assured us they are vigilant and working towards resolving these problems as quickly as possible."
Fakhrul said India is keen on fostering greater goodwill and positivity in the relationship between the two neighbours.
Other BNP leaders present at the meeting included Standing Committee member Salauddin Ahmed, Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury, and foreign affairs advisory committee member Shama Obaid.
Says Mirza Fakhrul after meeting Pranay Verma
Photo: Collected
India is eager to further strengthen its relationship with Bangladesh, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday after meeting Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma.
"They also want to strengthen our relationships with the political parties of their country," Fakhrul told reporters after the meeting at the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan.
The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, is the first formal talks between Indian officials and BNP leaders since Sheikh Hasina's regime was deposed on August 5.
Fakhrul said, "We raised the issues Bangladesh is facing with India, including the water-sharing issue, which requires a swift resolution."
On border killings, Fakhrul said, "We also conveyed the necessity of stopping the border killings.
"We also discussed security concerns between both the countries. They assured us they are vigilant and working towards resolving these problems as quickly as possible."
Fakhrul said India is keen on fostering greater goodwill and positivity in the relationship between the two neighbours.
Other BNP leaders present at the meeting included Standing Committee member Salauddin Ahmed, Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury, and foreign affairs advisory committee member Shama Obaid.
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Ties with big neighbours: Balance will still be the mainstay
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has spoken at length with The Daily Star on a host of issues facing Bangladesh at this critical juncture of the country’s transition to democracy.
Ties with big neighbours: Balance will still be the mainstay
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has spoken at length with The Daily Star on a host of issues facing Bangladesh at this critical juncture of the country's transition to democracy. In an interview with our diplomatic correspondent Porimol Palma, the career diplomat shared his views on Dhaka-Delhi ties, Sheikh Hasina's stay in India, revival of Saarc and human rights, among other things.
TDS: What challenges is the government facing in maintaining and promoting relations with foreign countries?
Touhid: For a small country like Bangladesh with big neighbours, it is important to maintain a balanced relationship. We've been doing so and the interim government will also try to do the same.
There will always be challenges. Our relationship with each country is unique. For example, three sides of Bangladesh are bordered by India. Many of our rivers flow through India. We have a lot of trade, and our ties are historical as well as cultural. On the other hand, China, our biggest trade partner, funds many projects here. We have interests in our relationships with both India and China. China and India have issues of conflict, but we have to maintain ties with both of them.
The US, which is the number one superpower, is our single biggest export market, and a major source of our remittance. Our relations with Europe is also very important. As a bloc, the European Union is our biggest export destination. So our ties with different country are different.
TDS: We've seen some hiccups in our relations with India, and anti-India sentiment here after the fall of the Awami League government. What would be our strategy to stabilise this relationship?
Touhid: Our strategy will be to protect our interests. It does not mean we will ignore India's interest. For India, Bangladesh is a very important country when it comes to security. India's Northeast region suffered from insurgency, which was removed with our cooperation.
You need to remember that we are going through a phase of revolution and there may be some conflicts of interest. However, the relationship was very profitable for India during the previous regime. This led India, especially its media, to take a negative approach towards the current situation in Bangladesh. Most of their accusations were baseless. I believe these aspects will eventually be removed.
TDS: Will you take the initiative to bring back Sheikh Hasina from India?
Touhid: If our court issues orders to bring her back, we will take the necessary initiative. It is up to India how it will cooperate. I don't want to speculate anything. We'll see when the time comes.
India has its interests in the relationship with Bangladesh, just like we do. So the relationship has to be based on mutual interest and respect. We're only talking about the relationship between the two governments when it has to be people-centric so that the people benefit from the relationship. It is not an ideal situation for governments to say that the relationship is good while people here have anti-India sentiments.
TDS: What are your expectations from India?
Touhid: There are many expectations, but some small issues make the relationship bitter. For example, border killing. Just the other day, a 14-year-old girl was killed at the border. This is in no way justifiable. If India sincerely wants it, border killing can be fully stopped.
Then, there is the water-sharing issue. People have bitter feelings about the Teesta deal. It's not our concern what problem India's Centre and West Bengal government have. India has to solve it. The water is a liability for us in the rainy season, which is natural, and we aren't asking India to stop it. However, when this water is an asset in the dry season, we're not getting it. This is not acceptable. We know the water level is low in the dry season. But whatever water is there should be shared. Even if we can have an interim agreement with India on Teesta, it'll have a positive impact on the minds of the people of Bangladesh.
TDS: What will the interim government do about the agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with India that have been criticised?
Touhid: The interim government will do whatever is needed for the sake of national interest, regardless of its tenure. We'll take care of all the issues.
MoUs and agreements are different. Conditions of agreements are to be implemented. If that is to change, it needs to be done as per the provisions of the agreements. For MoUs, we have to know peoples' expectations and seek expert views. We have to revisit the MoUs based on all these factors. If we have to sign any agreement, we will do it, protecting the interest of both parties.
TDS: Will revisiting MoUs or signing agreements take place anytime soon?
Touhid: It's not that we'll start working tomorrow on this. It will come as part of the normal process. India too has to have its time. They won't sit with us tomorrow if we ask them for a meeting today. We'll try to take initiative on each issue based on priority in a mutually agreed time. It won't happen in a week or two, but we may take initiative in the next few months, or at least by this year.
TDS: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said he wants to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc). Is it possible, given the Pakistan-India enmity?
Touhid: I don't think it is impossible. I want to be optimistic. When Saarc was working, it was not that it brought about a huge change. But, some work was really going on, for example on meteorology, agriculture, free trade, etc. Then Saarc was going ahead even when India and Pakistan were engaged in small fights sometimes. The process was suspended by India's initiative. India-Pakistan conflict won't end overnight. But other South Asian countries should not be victims of this Indo-Pak enmity. All the other countries are eager to cooperate through Saarc.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus is very interested in resuming the Saarc activities on whatever small scale. We want to come out of the stalemate.
TDS: Bangladesh has a lot of baggage in terms of human rights abuses. Can the government come out of this?
Touhid: A major objective of this government is to work in the area of human rights. Rights activists are in the council of advisers. The UN fact-finding mission will look into all of the rights violations and killings that took place in the last weeks of the previous government. Even post-August 5 attacks over political ideologies or on minorities – all can come under this investigation. Everyone has the right to get justice. We want transparency in the whole process of the investigation.
TDS: Will the foreign ministry undergo reforms to function more effectively, keeping in mind that the economy is a big part of our diplomacy?
Touhid: The foreign ministry, like any other time, will play an auxiliary role. We will extend support to other ministries as per their need. In some cases, re-allocation of business may be required. From our side, we can raise the issues that arise in the areas of overseas employment, foreign investment or export.
TDS: Prof Yunus has a global standing. How can we best utilise it in diplomacy?
Touhid: We have started benefitting from this already. You know that 67 Bangladeshi migrants were pardoned by the UAE president after Prof Yunus directly spoke to him. We will use his standing for our just demands.
TDS: How shall we navigate in the geopolitically changing world, especially amid the global power competition in the Indo-Pacific?
Touhid: We'll try to have our interests protected despite such competitions. We'll follow the path where we have our best national interest.
TDS: Aren't our national integrity, track record of human rights and democracy important for this?
Touhid: We're working to establish democracy on a strong footing. It'll be truly representative. There won't be any fake elections. The purpose of the sacrifice of the young people and their aspiration is democracy. We will work to that end. Reforms on human rights will be visible soon. So we are on the right track.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has spoken at length with The Daily Star on a host of issues facing Bangladesh at this critical juncture of the country's transition to democracy. In an interview with our diplomatic correspondent Porimol Palma, the career diplomat shared his views on Dhaka-Delhi ties, Sheikh Hasina's stay in India, revival of Saarc and human rights, among other things.
TDS: What challenges is the government facing in maintaining and promoting relations with foreign countries?
Touhid: For a small country like Bangladesh with big neighbours, it is important to maintain a balanced relationship. We've been doing so and the interim government will also try to do the same.
There will always be challenges. Our relationship with each country is unique. For example, three sides of Bangladesh are bordered by India. Many of our rivers flow through India. We have a lot of trade, and our ties are historical as well as cultural. On the other hand, China, our biggest trade partner, funds many projects here. We have interests in our relationships with both India and China. China and India have issues of conflict, but we have to maintain ties with both of them.
The US, which is the number one superpower, is our single biggest export market, and a major source of our remittance. Our relations with Europe is also very important. As a bloc, the European Union is our biggest export destination. So our ties with different country are different.
TDS: We've seen some hiccups in our relations with India, and anti-India sentiment here after the fall of the Awami League government. What would be our strategy to stabilise this relationship?
Touhid: Our strategy will be to protect our interests. It does not mean we will ignore India's interest. For India, Bangladesh is a very important country when it comes to security. India's Northeast region suffered from insurgency, which was removed with our cooperation.
You need to remember that we are going through a phase of revolution and there may be some conflicts of interest. However, the relationship was very profitable for India during the previous regime. This led India, especially its media, to take a negative approach towards the current situation in Bangladesh. Most of their accusations were baseless. I believe these aspects will eventually be removed.
TDS: Will you take the initiative to bring back Sheikh Hasina from India?
Touhid: If our court issues orders to bring her back, we will take the necessary initiative. It is up to India how it will cooperate. I don't want to speculate anything. We'll see when the time comes.
India has its interests in the relationship with Bangladesh, just like we do. So the relationship has to be based on mutual interest and respect. We're only talking about the relationship between the two governments when it has to be people-centric so that the people benefit from the relationship. It is not an ideal situation for governments to say that the relationship is good while people here have anti-India sentiments.
TDS: What are your expectations from India?
Touhid: There are many expectations, but some small issues make the relationship bitter. For example, border killing. Just the other day, a 14-year-old girl was killed at the border. This is in no way justifiable. If India sincerely wants it, border killing can be fully stopped.
Then, there is the water-sharing issue. People have bitter feelings about the Teesta deal. It's not our concern what problem India's Centre and West Bengal government have. India has to solve it. The water is a liability for us in the rainy season, which is natural, and we aren't asking India to stop it. However, when this water is an asset in the dry season, we're not getting it. This is not acceptable. We know the water level is low in the dry season. But whatever water is there should be shared. Even if we can have an interim agreement with India on Teesta, it'll have a positive impact on the minds of the people of Bangladesh.
TDS: What will the interim government do about the agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with India that have been criticised?
Touhid: The interim government will do whatever is needed for the sake of national interest, regardless of its tenure. We'll take care of all the issues.
MoUs and agreements are different. Conditions of agreements are to be implemented. If that is to change, it needs to be done as per the provisions of the agreements. For MoUs, we have to know peoples' expectations and seek expert views. We have to revisit the MoUs based on all these factors. If we have to sign any agreement, we will do it, protecting the interest of both parties.
TDS: Will revisiting MoUs or signing agreements take place anytime soon?
Touhid: It's not that we'll start working tomorrow on this. It will come as part of the normal process. India too has to have its time. They won't sit with us tomorrow if we ask them for a meeting today. We'll try to take initiative on each issue based on priority in a mutually agreed time. It won't happen in a week or two, but we may take initiative in the next few months, or at least by this year.
TDS: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said he wants to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc). Is it possible, given the Pakistan-India enmity?
Touhid: I don't think it is impossible. I want to be optimistic. When Saarc was working, it was not that it brought about a huge change. But, some work was really going on, for example on meteorology, agriculture, free trade, etc. Then Saarc was going ahead even when India and Pakistan were engaged in small fights sometimes. The process was suspended by India's initiative. India-Pakistan conflict won't end overnight. But other South Asian countries should not be victims of this Indo-Pak enmity. All the other countries are eager to cooperate through Saarc.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus is very interested in resuming the Saarc activities on whatever small scale. We want to come out of the stalemate.
TDS: Bangladesh has a lot of baggage in terms of human rights abuses. Can the government come out of this?
Touhid: A major objective of this government is to work in the area of human rights. Rights activists are in the council of advisers. The UN fact-finding mission will look into all of the rights violations and killings that took place in the last weeks of the previous government. Even post-August 5 attacks over political ideologies or on minorities – all can come under this investigation. Everyone has the right to get justice. We want transparency in the whole process of the investigation.
TDS: Will the foreign ministry undergo reforms to function more effectively, keeping in mind that the economy is a big part of our diplomacy?
Touhid: The foreign ministry, like any other time, will play an auxiliary role. We will extend support to other ministries as per their need. In some cases, re-allocation of business may be required. From our side, we can raise the issues that arise in the areas of overseas employment, foreign investment or export.
TDS: Prof Yunus has a global standing. How can we best utilise it in diplomacy?
Touhid: We have started benefitting from this already. You know that 67 Bangladeshi migrants were pardoned by the UAE president after Prof Yunus directly spoke to him. We will use his standing for our just demands.
TDS: How shall we navigate in the geopolitically changing world, especially amid the global power competition in the Indo-Pacific?
Touhid: We'll try to have our interests protected despite such competitions. We'll follow the path where we have our best national interest.
TDS: Aren't our national integrity, track record of human rights and democracy important for this?
Touhid: We're working to establish democracy on a strong footing. It'll be truly representative. There won't be any fake elections. The purpose of the sacrifice of the young people and their aspiration is democracy. We will work to that end. Reforms on human rights will be visible soon. So we are on the right track.
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Dhaka strongly protests at Amit Shah’s remark on Bangladesh nationals
The interim government of Bangladesh on Monday lodged a strong protest against the Indian union home minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Bangladeshi nationals made during...
www.newagebd.net
Dhaka strongly protests at Amit Shah’s remark on Bangladesh nationals
Staff Correspondent 23 September, 2024, 19:39
Amit Shah | UNB/ Collected photo
The interim government of Bangladesh on Monday lodged a strong protest against the Indian union home minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Bangladeshi nationals made during his recent visit to the Indian state of Jharkhand.
The Indian minister said that the BJP would free Jharkhand from ‘Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators’ and hang them ‘upside down’, The Hindu reported on Sunday.
Terming Amit’s remarks as highly deplorable, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a protest note sent to New Delhi through the Indian mission in Dhaka called upon the government of India to advise the political leaders to refrain from making such objectionable and unacceptable remarks.
‘Through the protest note handed over today to the deputy high commissioner of India in Dhaka, the ministry conveyed its serious reservation, deep sense of hurt and extreme displeasure and called upon the government of India to advise the political leaders to refrain from making such objectionable and unacceptable remarks,’ said a foreign ministry press release.
The ministry also emphasised that such remarks, coming from responsible positions against the nationals of a neighbouring country, undermine the spirit of mutual respect and understanding between two friendly countries, it mentioned.
Staff Correspondent 23 September, 2024, 19:39
Amit Shah | UNB/ Collected photo
The interim government of Bangladesh on Monday lodged a strong protest against the Indian union home minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Bangladeshi nationals made during his recent visit to the Indian state of Jharkhand.
The Indian minister said that the BJP would free Jharkhand from ‘Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators’ and hang them ‘upside down’, The Hindu reported on Sunday.
Terming Amit’s remarks as highly deplorable, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a protest note sent to New Delhi through the Indian mission in Dhaka called upon the government of India to advise the political leaders to refrain from making such objectionable and unacceptable remarks.
‘Through the protest note handed over today to the deputy high commissioner of India in Dhaka, the ministry conveyed its serious reservation, deep sense of hurt and extreme displeasure and called upon the government of India to advise the political leaders to refrain from making such objectionable and unacceptable remarks,’ said a foreign ministry press release.
The ministry also emphasised that such remarks, coming from responsible positions against the nationals of a neighbouring country, undermine the spirit of mutual respect and understanding between two friendly countries, it mentioned.
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The Indian media is calling Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachori as Bangladesh's three sisters. It is their desire to make CHT unstable to punish Bangladesh for following an independent foreign policy. It is my opinion that Bangladesh should join hands with China to break up India's seven sisters and annex them afterwards.
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Delhi in denial over Bangladesh
FOR a couple of months, Bangladesh has been making the media headlines. What is happening in this geographically small but strategically important country of 175 million people has created widespread interest...
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Delhi in denial over Bangladesh
Mahmood Hasan 25 September, 2024, 00:00
FOR a couple of months, Bangladesh has been making the media headlines. What is happening in this geographically small but strategically important country of 175 million people has created widespread interest.
On August 5, fascist prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India in the face of massive student-people uprising. It was truly a Gen Z-led revolution that overthrew Hasina’s 16-year tyrannical rule. Why did Hasina flee to India? For her, it was the obvious choice as she was India’s string-puppet in Bangladesh. She went back to her mentors. In consequence, relations between Dhaka and Delhi immediately took a dive.
An interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on August 8. Yunus is a universally accepted leader, who was urged to take over the helm of Bangladesh to repair and reform the state structures destroyed by Hasina.
The fall of Hasina was a jolt to India. Mandarins in Delhi could not believe that their domesticated pet had fallen. Interestingly, at 9:48 pm on August 8, India’s prime minster Narendra Modi issued a twitter message for Yunus, which reads as follows:
‘My best wishes to professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development.’
It was an appalling text that the head of government of one country could send to the head of another government. To date, no formal message came from Modi to Yunus. Clearly, the twitter text reflected Delhi’s anguish. In reply, when Yunus called Modi and invited him to visit Bangladesh to see for himself the revolution, Modi declined.
Firstly, diplomatic norm was totally ignored. It was a knee-jerk reaction. Diplomatic practice requires such messages to be sent through diplomatic channel. As both countries have high commissions in Dhaka and Delhi, the text could have been formally sent through either mission.
Secondly, the wording was poor. The text was impersonal, abrupt, devoid of niceties and condescending. One wonders whether Modi is capable of handling twitter and write messages.
Thirdly, he issued a warning to Yunus. He ordered Yunus to ensure safety and protection of the Hindus. To Modi, only the lives of the Hindus mattered. Lives of non-Hindus did not bother him. To him, it was all right if non-Hindus were persecuted. It revealed a sickening frame of mind.
During the immediate post-Hasina days, there was anti-Awami League retribution. It was essentially political in nature and certainly not communal. Yet, Hindu temples and families were guarded by young vigilantes of political parties, including madrassah students. Bangladeshis have proved again its non-communal identity.
India has all through played two cards to prop up the Hasina government: (a) Hindu persecution and (b) insurgency in seven sisters. Indian propaganda on these narratives is patently false. Yunus said that India had exaggerated the Hindu persecution issue. Yet, the Modi government tried vehemently to internationalise the Hindu persecution story but did not succeed because of lack of Washington’s support.
Hasina cunningly played along to convince Delhi that she needed to stay in power to stop the Hindu persecution and eliminate insurgency. She succeeded in persuading Delhi that other than the Awami League, all other parties in Bangladesh were Islamist.
It is nauseating to see the continuous propaganda war launched by the ‘Godi media’ sitting on the lap of the BJP government. The lies and disinformation presented in theatrical manner are revolting. They pander to the communal prejudice of the Hindu India. These media deliberately ignored the reasons Hasina fell. They never question Hasina’s trampling on democracy, rights violations and massive corruption. Indians seem to have forgotten the communal riots following the destruction of the Babri Mosque in 1992, when more than 2,000 Muslims were butchered. Communal violence is a regular feature in India. People living in glass houses should not throw stones at others.
After Yunus had given the Press Trust of India an interview, these media accused him of conducting ‘megaphone diplomacy’. Yunus as head of the government is the first diplomat of Bangladesh. He did speak openly about some pending issues with India and wanted fair solutions.
There is strong anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, for which both the Awami League and Delhi are responsible. It is Delhi’s imperialistic policies towards Bangladesh. Indian ministers calling Bangladeshis ‘termites’, ‘insurgents’, ‘hang them with their heads down’, etc fanned anti-India feelings. Delhi established personal ties with Hasina and totally ignored the people of Bangladesh. India also deliberately shunned all other political parties in Bangladesh.
Hasina and her ministers also constantly repeated the narrative that ‘India gave Bangladesh its independence’. The sacrifice of Mukti Bahini was trashed. Minister Abdul Momen said that he had asked Delhi to keep Hasina in power. An election candidate announced that he was India’s nominee. Obaidul Qader said that the Awami League would be in power with Delhi’s help. There are many such utterances from Awami League leaders. Hasina signed agreements with India without any debate in the parliament. All these subservient behaviours of the Hasina government compromised Bangladesh’s sovereignty. Naturally, anti-India sentiments kept growing.
Now that Hasina is in India, what will Delhi do with her? Hasina has no valid travel document. The countries approached to give her sanctuary have regretted. According to the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and India, she could stay in India for 45 days, which ended on September 20. Delhi is quiet on Hasina’s status.
What are the options for Delhi:
— Give her political asylum. In that case, Dhaka-Delhi relations will be further strained. Many cite the example of Dalai Lama. There is a significant difference. Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader, not accused of crime. Hasina committed criminal offences and is liable to face trial.
— Grant Hasina Indian citizenship. After Mujib’s assassination, Indira Gandhi gave Hasina refuge in Delhi. There are rumours that during that period (1975–1981), Hasina acquired Indian citizenship under a Hindu name.
— Treat her as an illegal immigrant.
— Send her back at Bangladesh’s formal request. There are already loud calls from Bangladesh to bring her back to face trials for the crimes she committed.
— If Hasina finds a place to hide, who will issue her travel document?
— Whatever may be the legal dispensation, Delhi has to choose either Hasina or Bangladesh. Hasina is an impediment in Dhaka-Delhi relations.
Sitting in Delhi, Sheikh Hasina continues to foment trouble in Bangladesh, instructing the Awami League remnants to rise against the interim government. Yunus has asked India that Hasina should keep quiet as it was not helpful. Her son is also talking outrageously and has asked India to ensure quick elections in Bangladesh.
Surprisingly, India is still in a state of denial. It cannot believe that Hasina has been overthrown and has become a fugitive. The hawkish section of Indians wants to teach Bangladesh a lesson for being disobedient. The saner section thinks that Modi needs to recognise the reality and recalibrate its policies towards Bangladesh. Hiding the head in sand and ignoring reality will certainly not help Delhi to improve relations with Dhaka.
Bangladesh wants friendly relations with India. As Yunus has said, ‘We need to work together to improve this relationship, which is now at a low.’ But that has to be on the basis of respect and fairness. The second republic of Bangladesh will not accept a domineering India. Will Delhi change its prism and look positively at Bangladesh as a sovereign equal?
Mahmood Hasan 25 September, 2024, 00:00
FOR a couple of months, Bangladesh has been making the media headlines. What is happening in this geographically small but strategically important country of 175 million people has created widespread interest.
On August 5, fascist prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India in the face of massive student-people uprising. It was truly a Gen Z-led revolution that overthrew Hasina’s 16-year tyrannical rule. Why did Hasina flee to India? For her, it was the obvious choice as she was India’s string-puppet in Bangladesh. She went back to her mentors. In consequence, relations between Dhaka and Delhi immediately took a dive.
An interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on August 8. Yunus is a universally accepted leader, who was urged to take over the helm of Bangladesh to repair and reform the state structures destroyed by Hasina.
The fall of Hasina was a jolt to India. Mandarins in Delhi could not believe that their domesticated pet had fallen. Interestingly, at 9:48 pm on August 8, India’s prime minster Narendra Modi issued a twitter message for Yunus, which reads as follows:
‘My best wishes to professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development.’
It was an appalling text that the head of government of one country could send to the head of another government. To date, no formal message came from Modi to Yunus. Clearly, the twitter text reflected Delhi’s anguish. In reply, when Yunus called Modi and invited him to visit Bangladesh to see for himself the revolution, Modi declined.
Firstly, diplomatic norm was totally ignored. It was a knee-jerk reaction. Diplomatic practice requires such messages to be sent through diplomatic channel. As both countries have high commissions in Dhaka and Delhi, the text could have been formally sent through either mission.
Secondly, the wording was poor. The text was impersonal, abrupt, devoid of niceties and condescending. One wonders whether Modi is capable of handling twitter and write messages.
Thirdly, he issued a warning to Yunus. He ordered Yunus to ensure safety and protection of the Hindus. To Modi, only the lives of the Hindus mattered. Lives of non-Hindus did not bother him. To him, it was all right if non-Hindus were persecuted. It revealed a sickening frame of mind.
During the immediate post-Hasina days, there was anti-Awami League retribution. It was essentially political in nature and certainly not communal. Yet, Hindu temples and families were guarded by young vigilantes of political parties, including madrassah students. Bangladeshis have proved again its non-communal identity.
India has all through played two cards to prop up the Hasina government: (a) Hindu persecution and (b) insurgency in seven sisters. Indian propaganda on these narratives is patently false. Yunus said that India had exaggerated the Hindu persecution issue. Yet, the Modi government tried vehemently to internationalise the Hindu persecution story but did not succeed because of lack of Washington’s support.
Hasina cunningly played along to convince Delhi that she needed to stay in power to stop the Hindu persecution and eliminate insurgency. She succeeded in persuading Delhi that other than the Awami League, all other parties in Bangladesh were Islamist.
It is nauseating to see the continuous propaganda war launched by the ‘Godi media’ sitting on the lap of the BJP government. The lies and disinformation presented in theatrical manner are revolting. They pander to the communal prejudice of the Hindu India. These media deliberately ignored the reasons Hasina fell. They never question Hasina’s trampling on democracy, rights violations and massive corruption. Indians seem to have forgotten the communal riots following the destruction of the Babri Mosque in 1992, when more than 2,000 Muslims were butchered. Communal violence is a regular feature in India. People living in glass houses should not throw stones at others.
After Yunus had given the Press Trust of India an interview, these media accused him of conducting ‘megaphone diplomacy’. Yunus as head of the government is the first diplomat of Bangladesh. He did speak openly about some pending issues with India and wanted fair solutions.
There is strong anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, for which both the Awami League and Delhi are responsible. It is Delhi’s imperialistic policies towards Bangladesh. Indian ministers calling Bangladeshis ‘termites’, ‘insurgents’, ‘hang them with their heads down’, etc fanned anti-India feelings. Delhi established personal ties with Hasina and totally ignored the people of Bangladesh. India also deliberately shunned all other political parties in Bangladesh.
Hasina and her ministers also constantly repeated the narrative that ‘India gave Bangladesh its independence’. The sacrifice of Mukti Bahini was trashed. Minister Abdul Momen said that he had asked Delhi to keep Hasina in power. An election candidate announced that he was India’s nominee. Obaidul Qader said that the Awami League would be in power with Delhi’s help. There are many such utterances from Awami League leaders. Hasina signed agreements with India without any debate in the parliament. All these subservient behaviours of the Hasina government compromised Bangladesh’s sovereignty. Naturally, anti-India sentiments kept growing.
Now that Hasina is in India, what will Delhi do with her? Hasina has no valid travel document. The countries approached to give her sanctuary have regretted. According to the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and India, she could stay in India for 45 days, which ended on September 20. Delhi is quiet on Hasina’s status.
What are the options for Delhi:
— Give her political asylum. In that case, Dhaka-Delhi relations will be further strained. Many cite the example of Dalai Lama. There is a significant difference. Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader, not accused of crime. Hasina committed criminal offences and is liable to face trial.
— Grant Hasina Indian citizenship. After Mujib’s assassination, Indira Gandhi gave Hasina refuge in Delhi. There are rumours that during that period (1975–1981), Hasina acquired Indian citizenship under a Hindu name.
— Treat her as an illegal immigrant.
— Send her back at Bangladesh’s formal request. There are already loud calls from Bangladesh to bring her back to face trials for the crimes she committed.
— If Hasina finds a place to hide, who will issue her travel document?
— Whatever may be the legal dispensation, Delhi has to choose either Hasina or Bangladesh. Hasina is an impediment in Dhaka-Delhi relations.
Sitting in Delhi, Sheikh Hasina continues to foment trouble in Bangladesh, instructing the Awami League remnants to rise against the interim government. Yunus has asked India that Hasina should keep quiet as it was not helpful. Her son is also talking outrageously and has asked India to ensure quick elections in Bangladesh.
Surprisingly, India is still in a state of denial. It cannot believe that Hasina has been overthrown and has become a fugitive. The hawkish section of Indians wants to teach Bangladesh a lesson for being disobedient. The saner section thinks that Modi needs to recognise the reality and recalibrate its policies towards Bangladesh. Hiding the head in sand and ignoring reality will certainly not help Delhi to improve relations with Dhaka.
Bangladesh wants friendly relations with India. As Yunus has said, ‘We need to work together to improve this relationship, which is now at a low.’ But that has to be on the basis of respect and fairness. The second republic of Bangladesh will not accept a domineering India. Will Delhi change its prism and look positively at Bangladesh as a sovereign equal?
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According to Subramanyam of India, Bangladesh and India had entered into an agreement before the formal independence of Bangladesh by which the Indian army could go into Bangladesh and remain there to protect the rights of Hindus and other minorities. Does Bangladesh have any obligation to abide by what was written in the agreement signed even before her formal independence?
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Relations with Bangladesh to remain positive and constructive: Jaishankar
Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said that India's relations with neighbours Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would continue to be ‘positive and constructive’ and none should be deterministic about it
en.prothomalo.com
Relations with Bangladesh to remain positive and constructive: Jaishankar
Correspondent
New Delhi
Published: 25 Sep 2024, 19: 03
Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar ANI
Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said that India's relations with neighbours Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would continue to be ‘positive and constructive’ and none should be deterministic about it.
‘I would urge you not to be deterministic about our relations. It's not like India wants to control every political move of every neighbour. That's not how it works. It doesn't work, not just for us, it doesn't work for anybody else,’ said the Indian external affairs minister after attending a discussion titled ‘India, Asia, and the World’.
Asiatic Society and Asia Society Policy Institute in New York organised it on Tuesday, reports PTI.
A journalist made a remark that India has unconditionally supported Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and provided loans. But the recently installed governments in both countries seem to be anti-Indian.
Replying to this question, Jayashankar said, "At the end of the day, each of our neighbours will have their own particular dynamics. It's not our intention to suggest that their dynamics must necessarily adhere to what we might consider as being better for us. I think this is the real world. I mean, everybody makes their choices and then countries adjust to each other and find ways of working it out."
He also added that the case of Bangladesh is a little different.
"Over the last one decade, we have taken on many projects in that country which have been fruitful for both of us. Economic activity has flourished and infrastructure has improved," he added.
Jaishankar's remarks came a day after his first meeting with Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Diplomatic sources termed the meeting as effective, positive and constructive.
Correspondent
New Delhi
Published: 25 Sep 2024, 19: 03
Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar ANI
Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said that India's relations with neighbours Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would continue to be ‘positive and constructive’ and none should be deterministic about it.
‘I would urge you not to be deterministic about our relations. It's not like India wants to control every political move of every neighbour. That's not how it works. It doesn't work, not just for us, it doesn't work for anybody else,’ said the Indian external affairs minister after attending a discussion titled ‘India, Asia, and the World’.
Asiatic Society and Asia Society Policy Institute in New York organised it on Tuesday, reports PTI.
A journalist made a remark that India has unconditionally supported Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and provided loans. But the recently installed governments in both countries seem to be anti-Indian.
Replying to this question, Jayashankar said, "At the end of the day, each of our neighbours will have their own particular dynamics. It's not our intention to suggest that their dynamics must necessarily adhere to what we might consider as being better for us. I think this is the real world. I mean, everybody makes their choices and then countries adjust to each other and find ways of working it out."
He also added that the case of Bangladesh is a little different.
"Over the last one decade, we have taken on many projects in that country which have been fruitful for both of us. Economic activity has flourished and infrastructure has improved," he added.
Jaishankar's remarks came a day after his first meeting with Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Diplomatic sources termed the meeting as effective, positive and constructive.
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Indo-Bangladesh relationship
I BELIEVE that the relationship between Dhaka and Delhi could have been as strong as the one between Washington and London. The Washington-London relationship is special, characterised by mutual respect and trust. But it is unimaginable for America to interfere in Britain’s internal affairs, or...
www.newagebd.net
Indo-Bangladesh relationship
Abdur Razzaq 29 September, 2024, 00:00
I BELIEVE that the relationship between Dhaka and Delhi could have been as strong as the one between Washington and London. The Washington-London relationship is special, characterised by mutual respect and trust. But it is unimaginable for America to interfere in Britain’s internal affairs, or those of France or Germany.
Why isn’t there a similar relationship between India and Bangladesh? The short answer is that India tends to dominate and exploit Bangladesh, taking undue advantage from defence, strategic and economic perspectives. India often prioritises its own interests over Bangladesh’s legitimate needs. This mindset has existed since before India’s independence in 1947.
In March 1946, the Labour government under prime minister Clement Attlee sent the Cabinet Mission to India to address the country’s complex constitutional issues. The Cabinet Mission rejected the idea of Pakistan, instead proposing a federal India with three groups: Group A (present-day India), Group B (present-day Pakistan), and Group C (Bengal and Assam). The Muslim League accepted this plan, but the Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, rejected it, seeking a united India under Hindu majority rule. Historians agree that the Cabinet Mission plan could have been the best solution, potentially avoiding partition and subsequent wars and creating a subcontinent similar to Western Europe. Moreover, present-day India would have been the leader of the groups. However, that was not to be because of the narrow mindset of the Congress.
Unfortunately, the same Indian attitude persists today. Over the past 15 years, India has supported a brutal dictatorship in Bangladesh, disregarding the will of the Bangladeshi people, leading to widespread anti-India sentiment. India also has strained relationships with other neighbours, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal and the Maldives.
Our relationship with India depends on whether Bangladesh has a democratic or undemocratic government. It was shameful when the de facto head of Bangladesh’s interim government in 2007, Moin U Ahmed, asked Indian leader Pranab Mukherjee to secure his position. It was even more disgraceful when a foreign minister under Sheikh Hasina publicly asked India to help keep Hasina in power, as if Bangladesh were an Indian colony. Sheikh Hasina herself has declared, ‘I have given so much to India that they could not think of anymore,’ implying that her duty as prime minister was to protect India’s interests. This mentality has led to a belief that Bangladesh cannot survive without appeasing India. However, on August 5, this was proven wrong by our people, led by young students.
We are a nation of 173 million people. Our strength lies in our national unity, democracy, judicial independence, rule of law, economic development and constitutionalism. By preserving these values, we can engage with any regional or global power with honour and dignity.
Our relationship with India has faced significant challenges over the years. In May 1975, the Indian government initiated the Farakka Barrage project as a ‘trial run’ by misleading the Mujib government. This ‘trial run’ has continued for 50 years, causing severe ecological damage, particularly in the Rajshahi region of northeastern Bangladesh. The once-mighty Padma River has dried up over many miles, and the current generation has no idea of its former grandeur. Additionally, we have been deprived of our fair share of water from the River Teesta, which is now a point of contention between China and India.
We have granted India transit and transshipment rights, potentially compromising our sovereignty. The nation remains unaware of the benefits gained in return, despite the past government claims that this would transform Bangladesh into a new Singapore. Furthermore, the public is largely unaware of the terms and conditions of many treaties signed with India, even though Article 145A of our constitution requires all treaties to be presented before parliament. We suffer losses in border and international trade with India, and the Indian Border Security Force frequently kills our citizens at the border with impunity.
It is widely known that India’s foreign policy towards Bangladesh is primarily shaped by its intelligence agency, RAW, which is problematic.
We desire a good neighbourly relationship with India, based on equality and mutual respect between two sovereign nations. We do not want a repeat of the past government’s submissive foreign policy towards India. Our politicians should recognise that India is not monolithic and should engage with its diverse society to benefit Bangladesh. They need to develop the confidence to do so.
Once we have our internal affairs in order, we should reevaluate and renegotiate all unfair clauses in our agreements and treaties with India, asserting our sovereignty with honour and dignity.
Historically, Indian political leadership has sought to dominate and exploit neighbouring countries, leading to poor and sometimes sour relationships. This is a dark chapter in India’s foreign policy, and ultimately, India is the loser. The sooner India realises this, the better it will be for India, its people, and its neighbouring countries in the Himalayan subcontinent.
Abdur Razzaq is a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and practising barrister in England.
Abdur Razzaq 29 September, 2024, 00:00
I BELIEVE that the relationship between Dhaka and Delhi could have been as strong as the one between Washington and London. The Washington-London relationship is special, characterised by mutual respect and trust. But it is unimaginable for America to interfere in Britain’s internal affairs, or those of France or Germany.
Why isn’t there a similar relationship between India and Bangladesh? The short answer is that India tends to dominate and exploit Bangladesh, taking undue advantage from defence, strategic and economic perspectives. India often prioritises its own interests over Bangladesh’s legitimate needs. This mindset has existed since before India’s independence in 1947.
In March 1946, the Labour government under prime minister Clement Attlee sent the Cabinet Mission to India to address the country’s complex constitutional issues. The Cabinet Mission rejected the idea of Pakistan, instead proposing a federal India with three groups: Group A (present-day India), Group B (present-day Pakistan), and Group C (Bengal and Assam). The Muslim League accepted this plan, but the Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, rejected it, seeking a united India under Hindu majority rule. Historians agree that the Cabinet Mission plan could have been the best solution, potentially avoiding partition and subsequent wars and creating a subcontinent similar to Western Europe. Moreover, present-day India would have been the leader of the groups. However, that was not to be because of the narrow mindset of the Congress.
Unfortunately, the same Indian attitude persists today. Over the past 15 years, India has supported a brutal dictatorship in Bangladesh, disregarding the will of the Bangladeshi people, leading to widespread anti-India sentiment. India also has strained relationships with other neighbours, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal and the Maldives.
Our relationship with India depends on whether Bangladesh has a democratic or undemocratic government. It was shameful when the de facto head of Bangladesh’s interim government in 2007, Moin U Ahmed, asked Indian leader Pranab Mukherjee to secure his position. It was even more disgraceful when a foreign minister under Sheikh Hasina publicly asked India to help keep Hasina in power, as if Bangladesh were an Indian colony. Sheikh Hasina herself has declared, ‘I have given so much to India that they could not think of anymore,’ implying that her duty as prime minister was to protect India’s interests. This mentality has led to a belief that Bangladesh cannot survive without appeasing India. However, on August 5, this was proven wrong by our people, led by young students.
We are a nation of 173 million people. Our strength lies in our national unity, democracy, judicial independence, rule of law, economic development and constitutionalism. By preserving these values, we can engage with any regional or global power with honour and dignity.
Our relationship with India has faced significant challenges over the years. In May 1975, the Indian government initiated the Farakka Barrage project as a ‘trial run’ by misleading the Mujib government. This ‘trial run’ has continued for 50 years, causing severe ecological damage, particularly in the Rajshahi region of northeastern Bangladesh. The once-mighty Padma River has dried up over many miles, and the current generation has no idea of its former grandeur. Additionally, we have been deprived of our fair share of water from the River Teesta, which is now a point of contention between China and India.
We have granted India transit and transshipment rights, potentially compromising our sovereignty. The nation remains unaware of the benefits gained in return, despite the past government claims that this would transform Bangladesh into a new Singapore. Furthermore, the public is largely unaware of the terms and conditions of many treaties signed with India, even though Article 145A of our constitution requires all treaties to be presented before parliament. We suffer losses in border and international trade with India, and the Indian Border Security Force frequently kills our citizens at the border with impunity.
It is widely known that India’s foreign policy towards Bangladesh is primarily shaped by its intelligence agency, RAW, which is problematic.
We desire a good neighbourly relationship with India, based on equality and mutual respect between two sovereign nations. We do not want a repeat of the past government’s submissive foreign policy towards India. Our politicians should recognise that India is not monolithic and should engage with its diverse society to benefit Bangladesh. They need to develop the confidence to do so.
Once we have our internal affairs in order, we should reevaluate and renegotiate all unfair clauses in our agreements and treaties with India, asserting our sovereignty with honour and dignity.
Historically, Indian political leadership has sought to dominate and exploit neighbouring countries, leading to poor and sometimes sour relationships. This is a dark chapter in India’s foreign policy, and ultimately, India is the loser. The sooner India realises this, the better it will be for India, its people, and its neighbouring countries in the Himalayan subcontinent.
Abdur Razzaq is a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and practising barrister in England.
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Hindus security, Shiekh Hasina’s Extradition, BNP General Secy Alamgir says, “Ice started to melt”
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Why is the BJP playing the 'Bangladeshi infiltrator' card?
BJP is making infiltration an election campaign plank in Santhal Parganas and Kolhan.
Why is the BJP playing the 'Bangladeshi infiltrator' card?
File photo: AFP
Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has placed "infiltration" of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis at the core of its high-decibel campaign for assembly elections in the eastern state of Jharkhand due later this year. At a series of public meetings in a space of one week or so, Modi and his close aide Amit Shah, home minister, amplified the infiltration issue in their separate ways. But some comments made by Shah at one of the rallies drew a sharp retort from the Bangladesh foreign ministry.
Shah may not have been entirely unaware that his remarks in Jharkhand could raise the hackles in Bangladesh like his "termite" description of allegedly illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in the run up to West Bengal assembly elections had done more than three years ago.
It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who first raised the issue of infiltration at a rally in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, when he blamed the state's ruling coalition of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for change of demography in Santhal Parganas and Kolhan by allegedly facilitating infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshis. He said Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltration poses a major threat to Jharkhand as it is "rapidly changing" the identity and demography of the Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions. Thereafter Amit Shah, BJP President J P Nadda and senior leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in their separate rallies, also flagged the issue.
Nadda in his speech accused the JMM-led alliance of patronising the forces indulging in "love jihad," "land jihad" and "infiltration jihad." Shah too, at a rally at Giridih, said, "If infiltration is not checked, illegal immigrants will become the majority in Jharkhand in the coming 25-30 years. They are marrying our daughters, grabbing land and destroying rich tribal culture."
Hitting back, the JMM and the Congress have maintained that the BJP needs to answer how infiltration was taking place, if at all, since protecting the international borders is the central government's responsibility (BSF which guards the border with Bangladesh). They have also accused the BJP of "playing Hindu-Muslim politics by stoking tensions before the elections."
BJP leader Asha Lakra, a member of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, had led a team of the Commission to Jharkhand to probe reports of infiltration in the state. She told The Hindu that their probe "confirmed that infiltration is taking place" and has documented purported "evidence" of this in its 28-page report which is largely based on anecdotal material gathered from conversations with "neighbours, panchayat members, and villagers." The report, she said, has been submitted to the Home Ministry.
Why has BJP made infiltration as the main election campaign plank in Santhal Parganas and North Chotanagpur and Kolhan region in the southern part of the state? The party's leaders claim the issue finds resonance among the tribals in the state's Santhal Pargana district which accounts for 18 of the 28 Scheduled Tribes (ST)-reserved seats in the assembly whose total strength is 82 including a nominated member. The party, which now has just four MLAs in Santhal Parganas, is aiming to increase the number against Jharkhand's ruling alliance led by regional outfit Jharkhand Mukti Morcha led by Hemant Soren who has inherited the political legacy of his father Shibu Soren. The BJP hopes its espousal of the cause of tribals in Jharkhand would find resonance beyond the state's borders. It is relevant to point out that infiltration has been a major poll plank of BJP in West Bengal and Assam which have for decades witnessed the influx of undocumented people from Bangladesh.
The BJP has sought to make a political capital out of an order of the Jharkhand High Court about the institution of an independent fact-finding committee to probe the "infiltration of Bangladeshi immigrants" in Santhal Parganas. This, according to the court, is necessary because of the "conflicting" stands taken by the Centre and the state on the subject. The court has been hearing a Public Interest Litigation since 2022 which alleged Bangladeshi infiltration in Santhal Pargana area. "The State is disputing the infiltration issue, while the data, which has been furnished, as has been taken note in the order (August 8) with respect to decrease of the tribal population from 44.67% in the year 1951 to 28.11% in the year 2011 reflects otherwise," noted the court order. "However, linkages to Bangladeshi immigrants in any of these land related cases have not been established so far," reads an affidavit submitted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Amit Shah has welcomed the Jharkhand High Court's directive to form a committee to investigate the infiltration from Bangladesh and said the Centre would soon form a committee with the help of the Jharkhand government to probe it.
The Indian government's anti-money laundering agency Enforcement Directorate has initiated an investigation under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingya in Jharkhand, a section of the Indian media reported. The ED's enforcement case information report under PMLA is based on a FIR of Ranchi police registered at Bariyatu on June 6 but the ED will look into the larger issues including the money generated from infiltration being channelised into politics. The case is a first under PMLA as the ED is investigating the involvement of suspected human trafficking agents.
Jharkhand police's FIR relates to the trafficking of six girls—Rohingyas and Bangladeshis—who were apprehended during a raid. Subsequent investigation showed they had obtained identity papers and Aadhaar cards in Hindu names based on fake documents arranged by human trafficking agents from Kolkata. The ED has already gathered details from other central agencies related to the operation of a syndicate engaged in trafficking Bangladeshis and Rohingya through forests in Jharkhand. A network operating out of Kolkata is engaged in forging documents to help the alleged infiltrators pass themselves off as Indians from Bengal, sources said.
Pallab Bhattacharya is a special correspondent for The Daily Star. He writes from New Delhi, India.
File photo: AFP
Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has placed "infiltration" of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis at the core of its high-decibel campaign for assembly elections in the eastern state of Jharkhand due later this year. At a series of public meetings in a space of one week or so, Modi and his close aide Amit Shah, home minister, amplified the infiltration issue in their separate ways. But some comments made by Shah at one of the rallies drew a sharp retort from the Bangladesh foreign ministry.
Shah may not have been entirely unaware that his remarks in Jharkhand could raise the hackles in Bangladesh like his "termite" description of allegedly illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in the run up to West Bengal assembly elections had done more than three years ago.
It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who first raised the issue of infiltration at a rally in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, when he blamed the state's ruling coalition of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for change of demography in Santhal Parganas and Kolhan by allegedly facilitating infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshis. He said Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltration poses a major threat to Jharkhand as it is "rapidly changing" the identity and demography of the Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions. Thereafter Amit Shah, BJP President J P Nadda and senior leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in their separate rallies, also flagged the issue.
Nadda in his speech accused the JMM-led alliance of patronising the forces indulging in "love jihad," "land jihad" and "infiltration jihad." Shah too, at a rally at Giridih, said, "If infiltration is not checked, illegal immigrants will become the majority in Jharkhand in the coming 25-30 years. They are marrying our daughters, grabbing land and destroying rich tribal culture."
Hitting back, the JMM and the Congress have maintained that the BJP needs to answer how infiltration was taking place, if at all, since protecting the international borders is the central government's responsibility (BSF which guards the border with Bangladesh). They have also accused the BJP of "playing Hindu-Muslim politics by stoking tensions before the elections."
BJP leader Asha Lakra, a member of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, had led a team of the Commission to Jharkhand to probe reports of infiltration in the state. She told The Hindu that their probe "confirmed that infiltration is taking place" and has documented purported "evidence" of this in its 28-page report which is largely based on anecdotal material gathered from conversations with "neighbours, panchayat members, and villagers." The report, she said, has been submitted to the Home Ministry.
Why has BJP made infiltration as the main election campaign plank in Santhal Parganas and North Chotanagpur and Kolhan region in the southern part of the state? The party's leaders claim the issue finds resonance among the tribals in the state's Santhal Pargana district which accounts for 18 of the 28 Scheduled Tribes (ST)-reserved seats in the assembly whose total strength is 82 including a nominated member. The party, which now has just four MLAs in Santhal Parganas, is aiming to increase the number against Jharkhand's ruling alliance led by regional outfit Jharkhand Mukti Morcha led by Hemant Soren who has inherited the political legacy of his father Shibu Soren. The BJP hopes its espousal of the cause of tribals in Jharkhand would find resonance beyond the state's borders. It is relevant to point out that infiltration has been a major poll plank of BJP in West Bengal and Assam which have for decades witnessed the influx of undocumented people from Bangladesh.
The BJP has sought to make a political capital out of an order of the Jharkhand High Court about the institution of an independent fact-finding committee to probe the "infiltration of Bangladeshi immigrants" in Santhal Parganas. This, according to the court, is necessary because of the "conflicting" stands taken by the Centre and the state on the subject. The court has been hearing a Public Interest Litigation since 2022 which alleged Bangladeshi infiltration in Santhal Pargana area. "The State is disputing the infiltration issue, while the data, which has been furnished, as has been taken note in the order (August 8) with respect to decrease of the tribal population from 44.67% in the year 1951 to 28.11% in the year 2011 reflects otherwise," noted the court order. "However, linkages to Bangladeshi immigrants in any of these land related cases have not been established so far," reads an affidavit submitted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Amit Shah has welcomed the Jharkhand High Court's directive to form a committee to investigate the infiltration from Bangladesh and said the Centre would soon form a committee with the help of the Jharkhand government to probe it.
The Indian government's anti-money laundering agency Enforcement Directorate has initiated an investigation under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingya in Jharkhand, a section of the Indian media reported. The ED's enforcement case information report under PMLA is based on a FIR of Ranchi police registered at Bariyatu on June 6 but the ED will look into the larger issues including the money generated from infiltration being channelised into politics. The case is a first under PMLA as the ED is investigating the involvement of suspected human trafficking agents.
Jharkhand police's FIR relates to the trafficking of six girls—Rohingyas and Bangladeshis—who were apprehended during a raid. Subsequent investigation showed they had obtained identity papers and Aadhaar cards in Hindu names based on fake documents arranged by human trafficking agents from Kolkata. The ED has already gathered details from other central agencies related to the operation of a syndicate engaged in trafficking Bangladeshis and Rohingya through forests in Jharkhand. A network operating out of Kolkata is engaged in forging documents to help the alleged infiltrators pass themselves off as Indians from Bengal, sources said.
Pallab Bhattacharya is a special correspondent for The Daily Star. He writes from New Delhi, India.
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