[🇧🇩] Indo-Bangla Relation: India's Regional Ambition, Geopolitical Reality, and Strategic Options For Bangladesh

[Vsdoc]

@Bilal9

Billoo, Godi Media is an offensive slur designed to irk a majority of Indian nationalists.

Please do not keep using that offensive term.

 

[Saif]

Dhaka-Delhi ties must be defined by respect and fairness

First high-level meetings since Hasina's fall touch on key bilateral challenges

www.thedailystar.net

Dhaka-Delhi ties must be defined by respect and fairness
First high-level meetings since Hasina's fall touch on key bilateral challenges

VISUAL: STAR

The first high-level talks between Bangladesh and India should be seen both as a recognition of the challenges straining our bilateral relationship and as a welcome attempt to recalibrate it in light of the new reality following Bangladesh's political changeover four months ago. During his daylong visit to Dhaka on Monday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held separate discussions with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, as well as his Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin. Media reports on the meetings indicate that both camps used the occasion to address key areas of contention while laying the groundwork for what they hope to be a mutually beneficial partnership.

This is something we indeed welcome, as a constructive partnership between our two nations is essential not only for addressing existing challenges but also for unlocking the vast potential of mutual cooperation in areas of shared interest. The first step in that direction, as Prof Yunus has rightly pointed out, would be addressing the "clouds" or sources of tension that have overshadowed our relationship in recent months—a responsibility that India must lead on, given its involvement in these issues.

Chief among them is the harmful narrative propagated by certain Indian media outlets and politicians regarding the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, which undermined its reputation and sovereignty and even led to assaults on its diplomatic missions. It is imperative for the Indian authorities to take decisive steps to counter such propaganda to prevent continued erosion of trust between our peoples. Of equal concern are Sheikh Hasina's inflammatory speeches and statements coming out of her place of refuge in India, which is further fanning tensions and divisions. While Vikram Misri has emphasised that India's ties with Bangladesh transcend party politics, the continuation of such rhetoric from its territory must be prevented to rebuild confidence in our shared journey.

The longstanding issue of border killings—with the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) gunning down a suspected cattle lifter along the Panchagarh border as recently as Friday—remains another test for the durability of the drive to recalibrate our partnership. The recurring loss of Bangladeshi lives at the border contradicts the spirit of neighbourly interactions. While we acknowledge India's concerns about border crimes, there is no justification for extrajudicial killings. We urge India to adopt humane and sustainable solutions to all border law enforcement issues.

Among other key bilateral issues discussed during the talks are trade, agreements on transboundary rivers, including the Teesta, flood management, electricity imports from India and beyond, Rohingya repatriation, etc. The future of our ties with India will largely depend on how it responds to Bangladesh's position on these and other issues. One thing is certain, however. Increasing collaboration and cooperation from both sides will not only boost regional stability and economic integration, but can also help build a partnership that is reflective of the aspirations of both nations.

We value our ties with India, and appreciate its desire to work closely with the interim government. But going forward, our relationship must be grounded in mutual respect and fairness.​

 

[Saif]

What will the basis of India's new relations with Bangladesh be?

Bangladesh and India relations are important and multidimensional, strongly linked to the history, geography and culture of the two countries. Historically speaking, this relationship has gone through a lot of ups and downs. While there are many examples of friendship, cooperation and mutual...

en.prothomalo.com

What will the basis of India's new relations with Bangladesh be?
Selim Raihan
Updated: 10 Dec 2024, 22: 24

Demonstrations in Dhaka against anti-Bangladesh campaigns in India Prothom Alo

Bangladesh and India relations are important and multidimensional, strongly linked to the history, geography and culture of the two countries. Historically speaking, this relationship has gone through a lot of ups and downs. While there are many examples of friendship, cooperation and mutual support, these relations are marred time and again by suspicion and mistrust, complicating the way ahead.

In recent times the political change in Bangladesh brought about by the July-August mass uprising, along with regional and international reactions, had taken this suspicion and mistrust to a new height. Various messages and attitudes conveyed in different political, diplomatic and media contexts are affecting the balance of relations between the two countries. As a result, a challenge looms large to building up sustainable and trustful relations on the basis of fairness and equality.

Maintaining communal harmony is not simply the responsibility of the government. The civil society, the media and religious leaders also have an important role in this process

Need for fairness and multidimensionality

Bangladesh and India's relations are not restricted to the political arena alone. This is important on an economic, cultural and geographical scale too. In this context it has become imperative for the Indian government as well as the major political parties over there to evaluate the political change in Bangladesh in a dispassionate and realistic manner and to accept the reality sprouting from the July-August mass uprising. This evaluation must not be biased towards any one particular political party, but their priority should be towards building a multidimensional, deep and inclusive relationship with the people of Bangladesh.

However, it is unfortunate that in recent times certain media in India have been running a smear campaign against Bangladesh, openly supporting the fallen fascist government, presenting false information and publishing exaggerated news. This has created an obstacle to objective and dispassionate analysis. As a result, the complexities in relations between the two countries are growing. The recent attack on the Bangladesh assistant high commission in Tripura, India, has made matters worse. This is a condemnable incident that has damaged diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Indian government must certainly take speedy and effective measures to ensure that such an incident is not repeated.

In the meantime, Bangladesh too should focus on establishing relations with Bangladesh on the basis of fairness and mutual respect. In this context it is important to jointly search for ways to resolve the longstanding unresolved issues between the two countries, such as sharing of river waters, halting border killing, easing bilateral trade and investment and improving communications.

It is also important for the Bangladesh government and political parties not to create a cheap anti-Indian space in bilateral talks with India or in protests. It is vital in the interests of upholding Bangladesh's long-standing interests to adopt a responsible and mature stance in the matter of relations with India. Cheap India bashing may boost the interests of certain political groups, but this will never be conducive to the welfare of the Bangladesh people.

Protecting religious minorities: Shared challenge

Concern regarding the rights of the religious minorities in Bangladesh and India is a deep-rooted problem that exists in the social and political structures of both countries. In both countries the minority communities at various times have faced discrimination, oppression and a shrinking of rights. It is imperative for the state to take measures and have a well-planned policy to end such discrimination. But this problem often becomes the centre of political debate, obfuscating the actual way to a solution and the actual roots are not reached.

The minority communities in both countries want equal rights, security and dignity. They do not want to become tools of any particular political group. With this in mind, particularly in context of the recent political change in Bangladesh, one of the most important responsibilities of the interim government should be to ensure the security of the minorities.

It is imperative to be alert against activities of any groups within the country or outside that may harm communal harmony. Such groups do not only put the country's internal stability at risk, but also have a negative impact on international relations. For example, if communal agitation increases in Bangladesh, this may find reflection in India and in the same manner, India's situation can have an impact on Bangladesh's internal situation.

The fact remains that narrow-minded communal groups create intolerance and divisions in both countries. They are not satisfied with creating problems in their own countries alone, but influence and inspire each other. The governments of both countries must sternly control the activities of such groups and take effective measures to this end.

Maintaining communal harmony is not simply the responsibility of the government. The civil society, the media and religious leaders also have an important role in this process. The leadership of both countries must unitedly take initiative to ensure that the rights and the security of the religious minorities. It is also imperative to build up a humanitarian and tolerant environment or dignity where everyone can live safely with their own identities.

Such a tolerant and inclusive environment is not only conducive for minorities, but is very important for the overall social stability and development of both countries. This is a historical opportunity for both countries to set up an example of religious harmony and respect for human rights by means of mutual cooperation and to build up a future.

Using new possibilities

It has become absolutely imperative for Bangladesh and India to build up multidimensional and balanced relations. From the perspective of deep ties of geography, history, culture and economy, these relations can be rendered sustainable and dynamic to ensure the socioeconomic welfare of the people of both countries. This is not just essential, but imperative for the overall development and regional stability of both countries.

The present times in Bangladesh, particularly in the time after the July-August mass uprising, stands as a big challenge to the political parties, civil societies and the media of both the countries. This has brought forward the need to reevaluate the old strategies, narrow viewpoints and one-sided decisions. At the same time, fresh opportunities have arisen to open the doors to a new and positive bilateral relationship.

Now the time has come to put this opportunity to use. Both sides should try to find joint solutions to the unresolved problems on the basis of fairness and mutual respect. If this opportunity is not taken up, then the communal forces will slip in through the gaps and try to make the situation murky. Such groups create a block to peaceful coexistence and long-tern partnership between the two countries.

Their instigative activities exacerbate the problems rather than resolving them. This is harmful to the development and growth of both countries. That is why Bangladesh and India must make concerted efforts to start a new chapter. It is not the responsibility of political leadership alone but of the civil society, academics and the media to create a positive environment. This will not generate a feeling of hope within the country, but will establish and model of relations of peace and cooperation in the greater region of South Asia.

The leadership of both countries should ensure socioeconomic development of the people by means of far-looking and realistic policies. Narrow, one-sided viewpoints should be dropped and bilateral relations taken ahead on the basis of sincerity, mutual respect and cooperation. This is not just a matter of tackling the present challenges, but will facilitate a bright future for both countries.

*Selim Raihan is a professor of economics at Dhaka University and executive director, SANEM. He may be reached at selim.raihan@gmail.com

*This column appeared in the print an online edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Ayesha Kabir​

 

[Saif]

Indian foreign secy briefs MPs on Bangladesh tour

Says Bangladesh promised action against the perpetrators of violence against minorities

www.thedailystar.net

Indian foreign secy briefs MPs on Bangladesh tour
Says Bangladesh promised action against the perpetrators of violence against minorities

File photo of Vikram Misri/Collected

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, led by Congress lawmaker Dr Shashi Tharoor, about the situation in Bangladesh yesterday.

The briefing comes after an Indian delegation led by Misri held a Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka on December 9.

Several MPs questioned Misri about the ground situation in Bangladesh amid daily reports of violence against minorities appearing in the Indian media. The foreign secretary assured them that the Bangladesh government had promised action against the perpetrators.

Misri also clarified that, contrary to media reports, the Professor Muhammad Yunus-led interim government did not raise issues regarding reviewing any agreements with India.

Many MPs, cutting across party lines, expressed concerns about the violence and unrest in Bangladesh and the fate of an arrested Hindu monk, former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Misri assured the panel that the government has taken all necessary steps at various levels to address the issue, including through diplomatic channels.

Sources indicated that many MPs wanted to determine the status of deposed Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after her ouster on August 5, and whether she was a refugee or had taken asylum. External affairs ministry officials did not comment on this, the sources added.

After the meeting, committee chairman Tharoor expressed satisfaction with the briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs official. "It was a very good meeting, and since we will be reporting to parliament about this issue, which is going to be sometime later next year, it can be termed as a very good beginning," he said.

Tharoor also noted that Misri had given a comprehensive briefing and was pleased with the high turnout of committee members.

However, sources said a consultative committee meeting scheduled for December 14, in which Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was to apprise the panel about India's neighbourhood policy in light of the Bangladesh situation, has been called off due to "unavoidable circumstances" and will be held at a later date.

Misri's visit was the first top-level diplomatic contact between New Delhi and Dhaka since the regime change in Bangladesh.

Besides calling on Yunus, Misri also met Foreign Adviser Touhid Hussain and his Bangladeshi counterpart Jashim Uddin in Dhaka.​

 

[Saif]

India’s manipulative diplomacy

THE recent visit of India’s foreign secretary to Dhaka came at a time charged with transformative potential and stakes that are unrivalled. To Bangladesh, the July uprising is more than just a tectonic shift; it’s a declaration of people’s will against tyranny, it is a beacon for nations under...

www.newagebd.net

India’s manipulative diplomacy
Abu Rushd, M Zakir Hossain and Salman Chowdhury 11 December, 2024, 21:43

THE recent visit of India’s foreign secretary to Dhaka came at a time charged with transformative potential and stakes that are unrivalled. To Bangladesh, the July uprising is more than just a tectonic shift; it’s a declaration of people’s will against tyranny, it is a beacon for nations under oppression, and it is a call for unification.

For India, it is a moment of truth that will say whether it can look beyond manipulative diplomacy and move in tandem with the winds of change blowing across South Asia.

The decisions India took during this visit will have an impact far beyond Dhaka; it will define how the world views the region’s largest democracy as it charts a delicate Indo-Pacific and grapples with its own domestic discontent.

Manipulative diplomacy vs transparent leadership

THE fact that India will allow Sheikh Hasina to make a public statement from its soil before this visit is deeply problematic. It reflects an attempt to use her voice as a veiled threat to Bangladesh’s interim government before this visit, something not befitting the world’s largest democracy; it is rather a page out of the playbook of wily authoritarian states.

There are reasons why this strategy backfires:

Generation resilience: The Bangladeshi youth who went out unarmed against live ammunition will not be deterred by pressure tactics. This is a generation that, still unarmed, has defied snipers and APCs; they scoff at manipulative diplomacy.

Loss of trust: It only increases the lack of trust between India and the people of Bangladesh, spoiling the goodwill the relation ought to have.

For India to secure its place as a good neighbour, it must abandon such antiquated policy and adopt an evenhanded, transparent policy working in harmony with the sovereignty and desires of Bangladesh.

Line in the sand

INDIA needs to realise that the way it is treating Sheikh Hasina and her ousted regime at present may cause irreparable damage to its relations with the interim government, future governments, and, most importantly, the people of Bangladesh. The time for appeasement is over. It is a diplomatic and moral necessity now to arrest Sheikh Hasina immediately and put a halt on her ability to incite further violence in Bangladesh. All the members of her regime now hiding in India should be properly investigated with actionable action against the persons found guilty of crimes against humanity. Extradition proceedings against them should commence without further ado. Only this will signal that the Indian government has respect for justice and human rights.

The interim government of Bangladesh is not an ordinary administration; it is a government born of the blood of the people. In the July uprising, more than 1,500 lives were lost and thousands more maimed. Among the dead were children as young as three, innocents caught in the crossfire of tyranny, irrespective of religious or political beliefs. This government is not bound by mere political promises but by an unshakeable obligation to those who gave up everything to free their nation from Sheikh Hasina’s autocracy.

For India to expect the same level of manipulability it once enjoyed under Hasina is a grave miscalculation. This government is not beholden to foreign appeasement or quiet deals; it is answerable to the people who fought unarmed against a regime armed to the teeth. Only if cooperation with India is prefaced by real deeds that demonstrate India’s commitment to justice and democracy will it be viable. Arresting Hasina immediately would be a stepping stone towards that, nothing less than that.

India’s reputation on line

INDIA’S support for the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina does not happen in a vacuum but is under intense international scrutiny, mainly from Western democracies and human rights organisations. Such actions run the risk of erosion of global standing for any country that aspires to be a formidable nation in the Indo-Pacific and a beacon of democracy.

Much of India’s hold in the Indo-Pacific rests on its democratic credentials, which are already in question. By continuing to support Hasina, whose rule has been marked by electoral manipulation, human rights abuses, and suppression of minorities, India sends a contradictory message. These developments are being watched very closely by Western democracies, most especially by the US, Japan, and Australia. India’s tacit approval of Hasina’s oppressive tactics could weaken its position in alliances like the Quad.

The reputation of India as the ‘world’s largest democracy’ is already under question due to rising authoritarian tendencies domestically. Supporting a leader responsible for the deaths of 1,500 civilians during Bangladesh’s July uprising further erodes that perception. Human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have already documented Hasina’s brutal crackdowns. India’s tacit approval not only sullies its democratic image but also bolsters accusations of complicity in these atrocities.

International attention is not merely rhetorical; it has real-world consequences. Global advocacy groups can magnify this censure, shaping foreign investments and partnerships. India needs to ask itself: Can it afford to be seen as the enabler of tyranny when the soft power of its reputation rests on its model of democracy?

Adani: national security threat

UNDER the Hasina regime, India allowed economic ties to get entangled with corruption and short-term gains. The Adani Group is exposed to serious allegations of running a monopoly of energy in Bangladesh with bloated prices, unfair contracts, and strategic risks.

The controversial energy deals, creating monopolistic control that mirrors another East India Company. In addition, Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns about Adani’s ties to Chinese logistics firms, further compromising India’s economic and security interests. It is undeniable that, by supporting regimes like Hasina’s, India has allowed strategic vulnerabilities to fester near its borders.

India’s silence on these issues raises uncomfortable questions on what it means by national security.

Why India needs to rethink narrative

INDIA’S support for Sheikh Hasina, even in her exile, has taken an insidious turn with narratives targeting the minorities in Bangladesh. Such narratives, cobbled together by her supporters and amplified by sympathetic elements in India, pose a twin threat: destabilising the very fabric of Bangladesh’s society and undermining India’s own reputation as a secular democracy.

Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh’s minorities — Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and indigenous communities — have faced unprecedented repression. Ironically, her exile to India has not stopped such divisive rhetoric; rather, reported targeted propaganda in India and abroad points toward a campaign of sowing discord within Bangladesh by portraying the revolution as anti-minority while masking Hasina’s track record of enabling systemic discrimination and violence.

This is not a story confined to Bangladesh. In India, supporters of Hasina are using this propaganda to conflate her plight with communal agendas by falsely depicting her as a protector of the minorities and demonising the revolutionaries who toppled her tyrannical regime.

In allowing such narratives to gain traction, India risks entrenching itself in a dangerous position. Here’s why such rhetoric is counterproductive for India:

Undermining regional stability: Support for Hasina’s communal rhetoric is a blow to Bangladesh’s efforts to heal from the July uprising. If the communal tensions reignite, the instability will spill into India — especially in sensitive regions such as Assam, Tripura, and West Bengal, where communal fault lines already exist.

Against secular values: India used to pride itself on its secular democracy; therefore, even implicitly standing by a leader known to oppress minorities tarnishes this image. Continued support for this narrative weakens India’s moral standing and further fuels criticism from international human rights organisations.

Alienating future generations in Bangladesh: The Bangladeshi youths who fought for democracy and inclusivity during the July uprising now look at India with suspicion because of its apparent support for Hasina. This mistrust could sour future bilateral relations and reduce India’s influence in its neighbour’s affairs.

Undermining domestic cohesion: By allowing the rhetoric of Hasina to grow unstopped, it emboldens communal elements in India. Tensions between India’s own religious communities are threatened to be ignited, undermining domestic harmony and social cohesion.

India needs to take note of the larger significance of Hasina’s minority rhetoric and its potential to destabilise both countries. India should distance itself from Hasina’s propaganda machine and publicly reaffirm its support for Bangladesh’s democratic aspirations, including the protection of minorities. Counter Hasina’s false narratives with the proof of the inclusiveness of the uprising through the stories of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists united against tyranny and engage in fact-based diplomacy.

Defining moment for South Asia

INDIA now stands at a historic juncture. Will India rise to the occasion, supporting Bangladesh’s democratic rebirth, or will it cling to alliances that undermine its values and interests? Its actions in Bangladesh are not just a test of diplomatic finesse but of its commitment to its own identity as the world’s largest democracy. The choice is stark: to stand with the democratic aspirations of Bangladesh’s people or tacitly to endorse a discredited autocracy sowing division and oppression.

Sheikh Hasina’s rule represents a world, one where there has been corruption, repression, and fear. The blood-stained streets of the July Revolution call for another kind of future. Taking Sheikh Hasina into custody and pulling down her propaganda machinery would signal that India respects justice and human rights and also proves willing to be a principled regional leader.

Its credibility with allies, its image as a secular democracy, and its ability to cooperate with South Asian countries all depend on its ability to shed outdated, manipulative tactics. In standing with the people of Bangladesh, in supporting their democratic rebirth, India can secure a partnership based on trust. The stakes are high. The eyes of the world are upon us. History will remember if India chose courage over convenience, justice over expediency, and unity over division. The time for half-measures has gone. Now is the time to lead with bold, unequivocal action.

Abu Rushd is president of the Institute of Strategy and Tactics Research. M Zakir Hossain Khan serves as director of nature and integrity and Salman Chowdhury is director of national security and external affairs at the ISTR.​

 

[Saif]

Protests against India continue in Bangladesh

Different organisations on Thursday staged demonstrations protesting at Indian aggression and also against the attack on the Bangladesh assistant high commission in India’s Agartala.

www.newagebd.net

Protests against India continue in Bangladesh
Staff Correspondent 13 December, 2024, 01:01

New Age photo

Different organisations on Thursday staged demonstrations protesting at Indian aggression and also against the attack on the Bangladesh assistant high commission in India’s Agartala.

The protesters slammed Indian Hindutva group for the attack on Bangladesh mission, desecration of the national flag, spreading false propaganda and aggression on Bangladesh.

Nationalist Democratic Movement held a flag displaying programme in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka protesting at Indian aggression.

NDM chairperson Bobby Hajjaj said, ‘We are not against India but against Indian aggression, propaganda of Indian media and dominating attitude of Indian government.’

Many young people from Indian universities expressed solidarity with the student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh which made Narendra Modi-led government afraid that such a movement could crystalise against them one day, he mentioned.

‘That is why they are creating religious agitation through their loyal media to mislead these young people,’ said Bobby.

He also hoped that Bangladesh could establish a relationship based on dignity and fairness with India in the upcoming days shifting away from Sheikh Hasina’s submissive policies.

NDM secretary general Mominul Amin said that people of Bangladesh would not tolerate any aggression of India.

Ziaur Rahman Social Welfare Council also organised a rally in front of the National Press Club protesting at the Indian hegemony.

The council president Gias Uddin Khokon said that Hasina-led Awami League pursue its fascist regime with the support of India and served the interest of India in return.

Modi government cannot accept the fall of Hasina and is plotting conspiracies to destabilise Bangladesh, said Khokon, adding that people in the country will foil any conspiracies together.

Khokon also demanded that Bangladesh government cancel all unequal agreements with India signed during AL rule.

Protests spread in Dhaka as elsewhere across the country hours after the Bangladesh mission in Agartala came under attack by a group of Indians on December 2 during their protests, demanding the release of Hindu community leader in Bangladesh Chinmoy Krishna Das, now in jail in a sedition case.

The protests in Bangladesh gradually turned into protests at Indian aggression in Bangladesh following remarks of different political leaders in India.

Meanwhile, Urdu speaking people in Bangladesh staged demonstrations protesting at repression on Muslims in India and urged the United Nations to take steps against the oppression.

Bangladesh Bihari Rehabilitation Assembly held a protest procession from Mirpur-10 to United Nations Development Programme, Bangladesh office on Begum Rokeya Sarani, Dhaka.

The organisation president Niaz Ahmed Khan claimed that Modi-led Hindutva group was conducting oppression on Muslims and attacking mosques in India.

Joint secretary general of the organisation Kutub Uddin said that Modi government was also plotting to destroy communal harmony in Bangladesh.

‘Indian conspiracies must come to an end,’ said Kutub.​

 

[Saif]

A retired Major General of the Indian army has drawn a new map of Bangladesh. I would like to share it with you guys. Please click on the link below:

Major general GD Bakshi : বাংলাদেশ থেকে আলাদা হবে হিন্দু দেশ

Major general GD Bakshi : বাংলাদেশ থেকে আলাদা হবে হিন্দু দেশ , হিন্দু নিধন রুখতে একমাত্র উপায় এটাই

khabarepratibad.com

 

[Vsdoc]

A retired Major General of the Indian army has drawn a new map of Bangladesh. I would like to share it with you guys. Please click on the link below:

Major general GD Bakshi : বাংলাদেশ থেকে আলাদা হবে হিন্দু দেশ

Major general GD Bakshi : বাংলাদেশ থেকে আলাদা হবে হিন্দু দেশ , হিন্দু নিধন রুখতে একমাত্র উপায় এটাই

khabarepratibad.com

All we need, is a 20 km strip of land.

The rest will be left as the world's largest holding cell.

 

[Saif]

All we need, is a 20 km strip of land.

Forceful occupation of a neighbor's land is considered a heinous crime. All you need is 20k lashes for supporting Major General Bakshi's plan to disintegrate Bangladesh.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

@Bilal9

Billoo, Godi Media is an offensive slur designed to irk a majority of Indian nationalists.

Please do not keep using that offensive term.

Come on sir, It is OK. Nothing is wrong when @Bilal9 uses such words. There should be some salt and spices in discussion. We are not diplomat. Much more offensive languages is used here than Godi Media. It is OK.

 

[Guru Dutt]

@Bilal9

Billoo, Godi Media is an offensive slur designed to irk a majority of Indian nationalists.

Please do not keep using that offensive term.

Infact Godi Media is term used for thoe media outlets that no longer tough the dictats of communist and english media nerrative set by the Congress led ecosystem whch in fact is controlled by DEEP STATE whose postor boy is George Soros & Gretta Thunburg

 

[Vsdoc]

Forceful occupation of a neighbor's land is considered a heinous crime. All you need is 20k lashes for supporting Major General Bakshi's plan to disintegrate Bangladesh.

Your entire nation is a gift from us.

We decide what to keep of it, should we wish to.

There is no statute of limitation that lapses post 1971.

Not when you have a victorious army camped on your soil, saving your lungis (remember the photos?), and then letting you have a nation on top of it, after saving you from genocide and mass rape.

Don't act bigger than your boots Saif.

There is a saying in hindi/punjabi about tatte and their aukat.

No matter how big they get, they always remain below the flag mast.

 

[Vsdoc]

Infact Godi Media is term used for thoe media outlets that no longer tough the dictats of communist and english media nerrative set by the Congress led ecosystem whch in fact is controlled by DEEP STATE whose postor boy is George Soros & Gretta Thunburg

Sure

 

[Vsdoc]

Forceful occupation of a neighbor's land is considered a heinous crime. All you need is 20k lashes for supporting Major General Bakshi's plan to disintegrate Bangladesh.

There will be no disintegration.

Gen Bakshi's fertile fantasies notwithstanding.

What India will ensure though is the military and economic well-being of its sovereign territory.

By force if necessary.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

India’s manipulative diplomacy

THE recent visit of India’s foreign secretary to Dhaka came at a time charged with transformative potential and stakes that are unrivalled. To Bangladesh, the July uprising is more than just a tectonic shift; it’s a declaration of people’s will against tyranny, it is a beacon for nations under...

www.newagebd.net

India’s manipulative diplomacy
Abu Rushd, M Zakir Hossain and Salman Chowdhury 11 December, 2024, 21:43

THE recent visit of India’s foreign secretary to Dhaka came at a time charged with transformative potential and stakes that are unrivalled. To Bangladesh, the July uprising is more than just a tectonic shift; it’s a declaration of people’s will against tyranny, it is a beacon for nations under oppression, and it is a call for unification.

For India, it is a moment of truth that will say whether it can look beyond manipulative diplomacy and move in tandem with the winds of change blowing across South Asia.

The decisions India took during this visit will have an impact far beyond Dhaka; it will define how the world views the region’s largest democracy as it charts a delicate Indo-Pacific and grapples with its own domestic discontent.

Manipulative diplomacy vs transparent leadership

THE fact that India will allow Sheikh Hasina to make a public statement from its soil before this visit is deeply problematic. It reflects an attempt to use her voice as a veiled threat to Bangladesh’s interim government before this visit, something not befitting the world’s largest democracy; it is rather a page out of the playbook of wily authoritarian states.

There are reasons why this strategy backfires:

Generation resilience: The Bangladeshi youth who went out unarmed against live ammunition will not be deterred by pressure tactics. This is a generation that, still unarmed, has defied snipers and APCs; they scoff at manipulative diplomacy.

Loss of trust: It only increases the lack of trust between India and the people of Bangladesh, spoiling the goodwill the relation ought to have.

For India to secure its place as a good neighbour, it must abandon such antiquated policy and adopt an evenhanded, transparent policy working in harmony with the sovereignty and desires of Bangladesh.

Line in the sand

INDIA needs to realise that the way it is treating Sheikh Hasina and her ousted regime at present may cause irreparable damage to its relations with the interim government, future governments, and, most importantly, the people of Bangladesh. The time for appeasement is over. It is a diplomatic and moral necessity now to arrest Sheikh Hasina immediately and put a halt on her ability to incite further violence in Bangladesh. All the members of her regime now hiding in India should be properly investigated with actionable action against the persons found guilty of crimes against humanity. Extradition proceedings against them should commence without further ado. Only this will signal that the Indian government has respect for justice and human rights.

The interim government of Bangladesh is not an ordinary administration; it is a government born of the blood of the people. In the July uprising, more than 1,500 lives were lost and thousands more maimed. Among the dead were children as young as three, innocents caught in the crossfire of tyranny, irrespective of religious or political beliefs. This government is not bound by mere political promises but by an unshakeable obligation to those who gave up everything to free their nation from Sheikh Hasina’s autocracy.

For India to expect the same level of manipulability it once enjoyed under Hasina is a grave miscalculation. This government is not beholden to foreign appeasement or quiet deals; it is answerable to the people who fought unarmed against a regime armed to the teeth. Only if cooperation with India is prefaced by real deeds that demonstrate India’s commitment to justice and democracy will it be viable. Arresting Hasina immediately would be a stepping stone towards that, nothing less than that.

India’s reputation on line

INDIA’S support for the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina does not happen in a vacuum but is under intense international scrutiny, mainly from Western democracies and human rights organisations. Such actions run the risk of erosion of global standing for any country that aspires to be a formidable nation in the Indo-Pacific and a beacon of democracy.

Much of India’s hold in the Indo-Pacific rests on its democratic credentials, which are already in question. By continuing to support Hasina, whose rule has been marked by electoral manipulation, human rights abuses, and suppression of minorities, India sends a contradictory message. These developments are being watched very closely by Western democracies, most especially by the US, Japan, and Australia. India’s tacit approval of Hasina’s oppressive tactics could weaken its position in alliances like the Quad.

The reputation of India as the ‘world’s largest democracy’ is already under question due to rising authoritarian tendencies domestically. Supporting a leader responsible for the deaths of 1,500 civilians during Bangladesh’s July uprising further erodes that perception. Human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have already documented Hasina’s brutal crackdowns. India’s tacit approval not only sullies its democratic image but also bolsters accusations of complicity in these atrocities.

International attention is not merely rhetorical; it has real-world consequences. Global advocacy groups can magnify this censure, shaping foreign investments and partnerships. India needs to ask itself: Can it afford to be seen as the enabler of tyranny when the soft power of its reputation rests on its model of democracy?

Adani: national security threat

UNDER the Hasina regime, India allowed economic ties to get entangled with corruption and short-term gains. The Adani Group is exposed to serious allegations of running a monopoly of energy in Bangladesh with bloated prices, unfair contracts, and strategic risks.

The controversial energy deals, creating monopolistic control that mirrors another East India Company. In addition, Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns about Adani’s ties to Chinese logistics firms, further compromising India’s economic and security interests. It is undeniable that, by supporting regimes like Hasina’s, India has allowed strategic vulnerabilities to fester near its borders.

India’s silence on these issues raises uncomfortable questions on what it means by national security.

Why India needs to rethink narrative

INDIA’S support for Sheikh Hasina, even in her exile, has taken an insidious turn with narratives targeting the minorities in Bangladesh. Such narratives, cobbled together by her supporters and amplified by sympathetic elements in India, pose a twin threat: destabilising the very fabric of Bangladesh’s society and undermining India’s own reputation as a secular democracy.

Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh’s minorities — Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and indigenous communities — have faced unprecedented repression. Ironically, her exile to India has not stopped such divisive rhetoric; rather, reported targeted propaganda in India and abroad points toward a campaign of sowing discord within Bangladesh by portraying the revolution as anti-minority while masking Hasina’s track record of enabling systemic discrimination and violence.

This is not a story confined to Bangladesh. In India, supporters of Hasina are using this propaganda to conflate her plight with communal agendas by falsely depicting her as a protector of the minorities and demonising the revolutionaries who toppled her tyrannical regime.

In allowing such narratives to gain traction, India risks entrenching itself in a dangerous position. Here’s why such rhetoric is counterproductive for India:

Undermining regional stability: Support for Hasina’s communal rhetoric is a blow to Bangladesh’s efforts to heal from the July uprising. If the communal tensions reignite, the instability will spill into India — especially in sensitive regions such as Assam, Tripura, and West Bengal, where communal fault lines already exist.

Against secular values: India used to pride itself on its secular democracy; therefore, even implicitly standing by a leader known to oppress minorities tarnishes this image. Continued support for this narrative weakens India’s moral standing and further fuels criticism from international human rights organisations.

Alienating future generations in Bangladesh: The Bangladeshi youths who fought for democracy and inclusivity during the July uprising now look at India with suspicion because of its apparent support for Hasina. This mistrust could sour future bilateral relations and reduce India’s influence in its neighbour’s affairs.

Undermining domestic cohesion: By allowing the rhetoric of Hasina to grow unstopped, it emboldens communal elements in India. Tensions between India’s own religious communities are threatened to be ignited, undermining domestic harmony and social cohesion.

India needs to take note of the larger significance of Hasina’s minority rhetoric and its potential to destabilise both countries. India should distance itself from Hasina’s propaganda machine and publicly reaffirm its support for Bangladesh’s democratic aspirations, including the protection of minorities. Counter Hasina’s false narratives with the proof of the inclusiveness of the uprising through the stories of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists united against tyranny and engage in fact-based diplomacy.

Defining moment for South Asia

INDIA now stands at a historic juncture. Will India rise to the occasion, supporting Bangladesh’s democratic rebirth, or will it cling to alliances that undermine its values and interests? Its actions in Bangladesh are not just a test of diplomatic finesse but of its commitment to its own identity as the world’s largest democracy. The choice is stark: to stand with the democratic aspirations of Bangladesh’s people or tacitly to endorse a discredited autocracy sowing division and oppression.

Sheikh Hasina’s rule represents a world, one where there has been corruption, repression, and fear. The blood-stained streets of the July Revolution call for another kind of future. Taking Sheikh Hasina into custody and pulling down her propaganda machinery would signal that India respects justice and human rights and also proves willing to be a principled regional leader.

Its credibility with allies, its image as a secular democracy, and its ability to cooperate with South Asian countries all depend on its ability to shed outdated, manipulative tactics. In standing with the people of Bangladesh, in supporting their democratic rebirth, India can secure a partnership based on trust. The stakes are high. The eyes of the world are upon us. History will remember if India chose courage over convenience, justice over expediency, and unity over division. The time for half-measures has gone. Now is the time to lead with bold, unequivocal action.

Abu Rushd is president of the Institute of Strategy and Tactics Research. M Zakir Hossain Khan serves as director of nature and integrity and Salman Chowdhury is director of national security and external affairs at the ISTR.​

Islam and democracy are not compatible with each other. All those radicals who topples the elected government say that the government which was elected was autocratic and the one which is air dropped by US deep state is democratic. Vinash kale viparit buddhihi.