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

[Krishna with Flute]

Arabs have always been historically through the ages quite sweet with Indian civilization.

They only come to loot. Not impose.

That they did elsewhere.

Yes, but our C grade Arabs are in race to associate their identity with Arabs and wants to do more than what Arabs do. If they will become strong, they will destroy all temples and do lot more oppression than what Arabs, Afghans or Mongols did.

 

[Saif]

Indian media, relations between Bangladesh and India

SINCE the fall of the Awami League regime on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising, there has been a noticeable shift in India-Bangladesh relations. Historically regarded as each other’s closest allies, the two countries share significant geographic and cultural ties. However, tensions have...

www.newagebd.net

Indian media, relations between Bangladesh and India
05 December, 2024, 00:00

India’s media needs to understand the new reality shaping Bangladesh as it moves forward. Failing to accept this reality or continuing efforts to destabilise the situation will not benefit anyone, writes Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury

SINCE the fall of the Awami League regime on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising, there has been a noticeable shift in India-Bangladesh relations. Historically regarded as each other’s closest allies, the two countries share significant geographic and cultural ties. However, tensions have occasionally surfaced, with a considerable portion of the Bangladeshi population perceiving India as the more advantaged party in the bilateral relationship. This perception gained traction during the 15-year rule of the Awami League, a period marked by allegations that India received a disproportionate share of benefits from bilateral agreements. Critics have suggested that this dominance was part of a strategy to maintain AL’s hold on power, even amidst three consecutive sham elections.

In the current reality shaped by the fall of Sheikh Hasina, there is growing anticipation among the Bangladeshi people for more equitable and mutually beneficial bilateral relations with India. The focus has shifted towards fostering a balanced partnership that departs from past grievances. However, this transition has brought with it significant criticism of India’s perceived stance as a supporter of Sheikh Hasina during her political decline.

This discontent intensified when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted a congratulatory message to Dr Yunus upon his assumption of office as Bangladesh’s chief adviser while simultaneously calling for the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh. This gesture, though diplomatically framed, sparked heated reactions from various quarters within Bangladesh, as it was seen as an overt intervention in the country’s internal affairs.

The situation has been further exacerbated by Indian media’s extensive coverage of Bangladesh’s current political and social instability, often framing it as a crisis centred around attacks on minority groups, particularly Hindus. These reports frequently highlight alleged instances of torture, killings, and discriminatory treatment of minorities but are criticised for lacking comprehensive data to substantiate such claims. This narrative appears to echo the stance promoted by the Awami League, which often positioned itself as the sole guardian of minority safety in Bangladesh. By perpetuating these assumptions without sufficient evidence, Indian media risks fuelling tensions and reinforcing a narrative that minorities in Bangladesh are not safe in this current situation. This approach not only overlooks the complexities of the current situation but also undermines the potential for a constructive and forward-looking relationship between the two nations.

On the other hand, the reality presents a starkly different picture. While it is undeniable that some attacks on minorities have occurred, there is little concrete evidence to establish the motives behind these incidents conclusively. A closer examination of most of these cases often reveals that the victims were directly connected to Awami League politics, with many holding positions within the party’s committees.

This connection complicates the narrative put forth by some media outlets. While any act of violence — regardless of motive — is unequivocally unacceptable and deserving of strong condemnation, the assumption that these attacks were solely motivated by the victims’ status as minorities fails to account for critical contextual factors.

Instead, evidence suggests that these individuals were targeted not because of their religious or ethnic identities but due to their affiliations or roles within the AL. This distinction does not diminish the seriousness of the attacks but highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of the circumstances. Addressing such incidents requires focusing on both ensuring justice for the victims and avoiding sweeping generalisations that could exacerbate communal tensions or serve political agendas.

Most recently, the arrest of a former ISKCON leader, Chinmoy Krishna Das, has further intensified the situation. According to government spokesperson Asif Mahmud, Das was arrested on charges of sedition, not as a community or religious leader. However, Indian media once again framed this as an anti-minority action by the Bangladeshi government, fuelling tensions.

The situation escalated when protests erupted outside the Chattogram court premises, resulting in the tragic killing of a lawyer by supporters of the Hindu monk on November 26. While fears of nationwide unrest began to surface, the collective response from political parties, religious groups, and civil society showcased a remarkable sense of maturity and unity, successfully de-escalating tensions.

Despite this, Indian media persisted in its efforts to misrepresent the incidents, spreading misinformation and attempting to construct narratives detached from the realities on the ground. The repercussions of this disinformation campaign have already manifested in troubling ways. For instance, members of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity in Agartala attacked the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in India’s Tripura, highlighting the real-world implications of such inflammatory reporting.

Additionally, growing tensions in border areas have disrupted the transfer of import-export goods, posing a direct threat to the economies of both nations. This situation underscores the urgent need for responsible reporting and diplomatic efforts to prevent misinformation from derailing bilateral relations and fuelling unnecessary conflict.

Whatever Indian media has been proposing or portraying is a pure reflection of illicit journalism, bringing no benefit to either country. Having a countering mechanism from Bangladesh to address this disinformation is imperative and requires a comprehensive approach involving the government, media houses, CSOs, student alliances, and political parties.

More importantly, India’s media needs to understand the new reality shaping Bangladesh as it moves forward. Failing to accept this reality or continuing efforts to destabilise the situation will not benefit even the minorities living in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the reality of Indian Muslims remains far below expectations, a fact that Indian media often overlooks.

Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury is an independent researcher specialising in South Asian politics, local governance and media freedom.​

 

[Bilal9]

Yes, but our C grade Arabs are in race to associate their identity with Arabs and wants to do more than what Arabs do. If they will become strong, they will destroy all temples and do lot more oppression than what Arabs, Afghans or Mongols did.

Which "C" grade Arabs are your referring to?

Certainly not Bangladeshis.

Non Awami Leaguers (even people of Jamaat) stayed up nights to keep watch over hundreds of Mandirs in Bangladesh so they don't get vandalized by Awami Leaguers intent on causing trouble after August 5. This is well documented.

I'd like to ask how many RSSers, Shivsena and VHP members protected Masjids in India.

Please provide proof of actual Muslim "oppression" on Hindus - not use this forum for baseless propaganda.

We can exchange opinion, but let's not engage in baseless propaganda.

If Bangladeshis as a group like Arab culture, no one has any right to criticize it.

Ditto as well if Bangladeshis like Bengali Buddhist culture (which is their own, derived from the Charyapadas which talks about Buddhist philosophy). See below for the 8th century Pali manuscript.

Atisa Dipankara (major 9th century figure in Buddhism) was a Bengali and was born near Dhaka at Vikrampur in the 9th century. His writings are known to all Buddhists. Still a major religious figure in Bangladesh.

Atiśa - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You consider yourself a soldier of Hindutva, but your actual knowledge about the Vedas, Ramayana, Bhajrayana Buddhism are rather limited. Please inform yourself before you post. To be a murkh person is not a good thing.

I thought you'd educate us about these Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali treatises, that would be helpful.

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh-India secretary-level talks on Dec 9 or 10: Touhid

Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hosain on Wednesday said the scheduled Foreign Secretary-level Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Bangladesh and India will take place in Dhaka on 9 or 10 December. "It is very clear that we want a good relationship (with India)," he told reporters at the...

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh-India secretary-level talks on Dec 9 or 10: Touhid
BSS
Published: 04 Dec 2024, 20: 25

Foreign adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at a media briefing at the foreign ministry on 1 October 2024File photo

Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hosain on Wednesday said the scheduled Foreign Secretary-level Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Bangladesh and India will take place in Dhaka on 9 or 10 December.

"It is very clear that we want a good relationship (with India)," he told reporters at the foreign ministry on Wednesday afternoon.

However, the foreign adviser emphasized that relations between Bangladesh and India must be built on a reciprocal basis. "Both sides need to want that and should work for it," he added.

Touhid mentioned that while the FOC is scheduled for 10 December, it might be held a day earlier, on 9 December.

During the high-level consultation, Bangladesh foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin and Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri will lead their respective delegations.

The discussions are expected to cover a range of bilateral issues, including the potential extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, currently in India, and visa-related matters.

Ousted Sheikh Hasina, who fled Dhaka on 5 August and has been residing in India since then, is facing trial in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal for alleged involvement in mass killings during the July-August uprising.

At the foreign ministry's weekly briefing on 21 November, Director General of the Public Diplomacy Wing Toufique Hasan confirmed that an inter-ministerial meeting had already been held to coordinate preparations for the upcoming talks.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

I'd like to ask how many RSSers, Shivsena and VHP members protected Masjids in India.

There is no need to Protect Mosques as they are already protected unlike the BD temples which are vandalized and burned. I have the videos with me people destroying and Burning temples. However, I do not post here. If you want me to post, I can post here. There cannot be any comparison between India and Pakistan/ Bangladesh. Pakistan and BD have finished their minorities while Muslims have increased 7 folds in 7 decades. Had we had skills like you, we too would have got rid of Our radical Minorities. You yourself posted here that now Chanting Jai Shree ram shall be banned in Bangladesh. Here they shout 5 time from mike, and you are comparing BD and India. This is funny.

So far as C grade Arab is concern, all subcontinent Muslims try to be C grade Arabs and copy whatever comes from Arab. Why your name is Bilal? Is Bilal a subcontinent name? Tell me whether Bilal is an Arab name or not? They try to wear cloths like Arabs, they try to behave like Arabs, they try to everything which Arabs do. I do not understand Bengali but I have seen many Pakistani Politicians, Mullahs and Maulanas saying that Pakistanis have Arabian Ancestry.

 

[Saif]

There is no need to Protect Mosques as they are already protected unlike the BD temples which are vandalized and burned.

Was 400 years old Babri Mosque protected?

 

[Krishna with Flute]

There is no need to Protect Mosques as they are already protected unlike the BD temples which are vandalized and burned. I have the videos with me people destroying and Burning temples. However, I do not post here. If you want me to post, I can post here. There cannot be any comparison between India and Pakistan/ Bangladesh. Pakistan and BD have finished their minorities while Muslims have increased 7 folds in 7 decades. Had we had skills like you, we too would have got rid of Our radical Minorities. You yourself posted here that now Chanting Jai Shree ram shall be banned in Bangladesh. Here they shout 5 time from mike, and you are comparing BD and India. This is funny.

Which "C" grade Arabs are your referring to?

Certainly not Bangladeshis.

Non Awami Leaguers (even people of Jamaat) stayed up nights to keep watch over hundreds of Mandirs in Bangladesh so they don't get vandalized by Awami Leaguers intent on causing trouble after August 5. This is well documented.

I'd like to ask how many RSSers, Shivsena and VHP members protected Masjids in India.

Please provide proof of actual Muslim "oppression" on Hindus - not use this forum for baseless propaganda.

We can exchange opinion, but let's not engage in baseless propaganda.

If Bangladeshis as a group like Arab culture, no one has any right to criticize it.

Ditto as well if Bangladeshis like Bengali Buddhist culture (which is their own, derived from the Charyapadas which talks about Buddhist philosophy). See below for the 8th century Pali manuscript.

Atisa Dipankara (major 9th century figure in Buddhism) was a Bengali and was born near Dhaka at Vikrampur in the 9th century. His writings are known to all Buddhists. Still a major religious figure in Bangladesh.

Atiśa - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You consider yourself a soldier of Hindutva, but your actual knowledge about the Vedas, Ramayana, Bhajrayana Buddhism are rather limited. Please inform yourself before you post. To be a murkh person is not a good thing.

I thought you'd educate us about these Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali treatises, that would be helpful.

View attachment 11358

You call me Murkha but you are Zahil no. 1. Was BD a country in 9th century? Wat Islam a predominant religion in that part of India which is known as BD today? A geographical part that had such scholars in 9th century (Like what you quote), is today den of radical who are on loose burning temples, killing Hindus and does everything lawless and immoral. Your problem is that you are such a person who post something thinking that it will support your argument, but it exactly counters your narratives. You did same thing in BD textile import disucssion.