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

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/kwatras-visit-is-expected-to-further-strengthen-bilateral-ties-indian-govt

Kwatra's visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties: Indian Govt
UNB
Published :
May 09, 2024 20:45
Updated :
May 09, 2024 20:45

India has said its Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra's just concluded visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties and impart momentum to the cooperation in diverse areas.

"Bangladesh is India's leading development partner and its largest trade partner in the region," said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

The Foreign Secretary paid an official visit to Bangladesh from May 8-9.

This was the first official visit to Bangladesh after the formation of the new government in January 2024.

During the visit, Foreign Secretary called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.

He also met his counterpart Masud Bin Momen.

The visit to Bangladesh is keeping in line with the highest priority accorded to India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary reviewed the wide-ranging bilateral relationship including political and security, water, trade and investment, power and energy, defence, connectivity and sub-regional cooperation.​

 

[Bilal9]

New Delhi's foreign policy has evolved from the Cold War to the present day. India is aiming to maintain its position as a regional leader in South Asia despite challenges from external influences and its own errors. But increasing Chinese influence and tensions caused by mishandled political developments have strained New Delhi's ties with its neighbours. The need for New Delhi is to respect its neighbours, combat hyper-nationalism and focus on leading, rather than policing, the region.

India’s regional challenges | East Asia Forum

New Delhi must improve its ties with South Asian neighbours to maintain its role as a key player in the region.

eastasiaforum.org

 

[Bilal9]

India is sending top official to Dhaka to stop China Bangladesh military drills and Teesta Project.

I guess some feathers finally started getting ruffled ?

Or is it their typical MoFA over-reaction in New Delhi?

 

[Saif]

I guess some feathers finally started getting ruffled ?

Or is it their typical MoFA over-reaction in New Delhi?

It is clearly an over reaction in New Delhi. Bangladesh and China are going to conduct an anti terrorism drill which is not detrimental to India's national security.

 

[Saif]

One Indian youtuber has talked about 'how Bangladesh could be a threat to India' and 'how India should tackle such threat' in the future.

 

[Saif]

India making efforts to keep Bangladesh under control: Fakhrul

India's continuous efforts to control Bangladesh instead of resolving water-sharing issues with its neighbours have been criticized by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who accused the current regime of failing to stand up for the people's interests.

en.prothomalo.com

India making efforts to keep Bangladesh under control: Fakhrul
UNB
Published: 16 May 2024, 21: 14

Mirza Fakhrul Islam AlamgirFile photo

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that neighbouring India has been continuously making efforts to keep Bangladesh under its control instead of resolving the pressing issue of water-sharing of common trans-border rivers.

Speaking at a discussion meeting on Farakka Long March Day, he also criticised the Awami League government for its failure to take action in resolving the water problem with India, stating that the current regime has been in power solely to secure the interests of its foreign master.

"We see that our neighbour (India) has always been carrying out all their activities to keep Bangladesh under control, since its birth. Not only the Farakka dam, not the Ganga water, but they have always been negligent in the water distribution of 154 common rivers. They're not resolving the problem," Fakhrul said.

He mentioned that the current Awami League government has long been buying time, promising the country's people to ink the Teesta water-sharing deal without success.

"The root cause of this failure lies in the fact that this is completely a subservient regime. It has consistently failed to take a stand in favour of the people's interests as they are extremely feeble in dealing with India."

Bhasani Anusari Parishad arranged the programme at the National Press Club, marking the historic 'Farakka Long-March Day', commemorating populist leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani's long march towards the Farakka Dam 48 years ago.

On 16 May, 1976, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani led a massive long march from Rajshahi towards India's Farakka barrage, demanding the demolition of the barrage constructed by the Indian government to divert the flow of Ganges water inside its territory.

Fakhrul said the current government's only job is to protect their own interests and those of their masters by repressing the country's people since it usurped power through a unilateral election.

'How will they (AL govt) resolve the problems of the Teesta and Farakka? How will they resolve the water-sharing problem of other common rivers? Because they captured power with special assignments (by others)," he observed.

In such a situation, the BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh must stand on their own feet to restore their lost democratic rights.

He said the BNP and many other opposition parties have been carrying out struggles for the restoration of the democratic rights of people. "For this, many of us have sacrificed our lives and many of us have to endure oppression and persecution."

Fakhrul also said there is now no alternative path to waging a united movement by all opposition parties rising above division and misunderstanding among them for ousting the current monstrous regime.

"We must move forward in unison in our own interests to reach our desired goal. No one will do it for us; we have to do it ourselves."

He said the government jailed BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia by implicating her in false cases and filed cases against 60 lakh leaders and activists of the party to hang onto power. "Oppression and arrests are still ongoing...our leaders and activists are being convicted and sent to jail."

The BNP leader said the Awami League has retained power by manipulating elections through various tactics as it knows it will face a massive debacle in a free, fair and credible election.​

 

[Saif]

India involved in damaging democracy in Bangladesh: Oli

Liberal Democratic Party president Oli Ahmad on Saturday alleged that the Indian government was directly and indirectly responsible for the damage of democracy and...

www.newagebd.net

India involved in damaging democracy in Bangladesh: Oli
Staff Correspondent 19 May, 2024, 00:23

Oli Ahmad | File photo

Liberal Democratic Party president Oli Ahmad on Saturday alleged that the Indian government was directly and indirectly responsible for the damage of democracy and the establishment of dictatorship in Bangladesh.

'We know that the Indian government is very concerned about the security of its seven eastern states. I would like to tell them, we do not want to stick our nose into any other country's affairs,' Oli told a press conference at his Maghbazar party office.

The press conference was held following a liaison committee meeting with the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

'It is our hope that the government of India will refrain from associating itself with any particular person or party, and will focus on establishing friendship between the people of India and the people of Bangladesh. Let us complement each other and live as good neighbours,' he said.

The government of India should not act hostile towards the people of Bangladesh, he said, adding that the 18 crores people of Bangladesh wanted to be good neighbours.

'The present government [Bangladesh] has allowed you to use the sea ports, land ports and various roads of our country. A number of unbalanced agreements have also been signed. As a result of which Bangladesh is suffering,' he said.

The LDP is in the simultaneous movement against the government led by the BNP and for the first time BNP leaders were present at any press conference of the LDP.

BNP vice chairman Mohammad Shahjahan was sitting next to Oli Ahmad, while BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan was also supposed to be there, but he reportedly did not attend as his wife was ill.

Oli said that the LDP would announce the new programme under the leadership of the BNP as soon as possible.

'We have been protesting against the current government in a movement led by the BNP for a long time. As soon as possible we will announce the new programme under the leadership of BNP,' he said, adding that new possibilities would open in the country.

Responding to a question about various parties' reluctance regarding co-opting the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the simultaneous movement, he said eloquently, 'It is cow which is needed to plough the field; even if it is a weak cow, you need it. One cannot plough the field with a goat.'

'We have seen the last 10–20 years. Everyone knows what we have achieved. Now you understand what is needed, I also understand. We have 62 parties here. How many of these parties have the strength to march down the street?' he said, adding that there were some parties which stand in names only.

When asked why the movement to bring down the government was not successful, Oli said, 'BNP secretary general can answer why we did not succeed. I don't have an answer for that because I'm a small party's leader devoid of any shields and swords.'

When asked whether he gave any advice to the BNP, Oli Ahmad said, 'The advice to the BNP was given in the meeting. It will not be possible to say in front of everyone.'​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh springs up in discussions amid polls in India

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal raises concerns over Indian democracy, compares it to Bangladesh amid Lok Sabha polls

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh springs up in discussions amid polls in India
Saumya BandyopadhyayNew Delhi
Published: 25 May 2024, 16: 54

Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal Screengrab from a Facebook video

Bangladesh is suddenly cropping up in talks across India amid the ongoing Lok Sabha polls for two different reasons. Such widespread coverage of Bangladesh in almost all Indian news media for such a long period of time is probably unprecedented.

The killing of ruling Awami League lawmaker Anwarul Azim in Kolkata got massive coverage in the news media across all states over the last few days.

While the police and intelligence of the two countries are busy unravelling the mystery behind the killing, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal brought up Bangladesh in his political debate. He openly admitted that if Narendra Modi comes to power for the third consecutive term, then the Indian democracy will be like that of Bangladesh.

if Modi becomes the prime minister again, then it will be the end of democracy in India. He referred to Bangladesh to explain the possible consequence of the ruling party forming the government again.

They (BJP) will amend the constitution and the country will move towards dictatorship Either there will be no elections, or the elections will be like those in Russia, where Vladimir Putin has either put the entire opposition in jail or has got them killed. Elections were held only after that and he bagged 87 per cent votes. In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina put everyone (opposition activists) in jail and won by a landslide margin Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of Delhi.

He is not bringing up the example of Bangladesh only in rallies or road shows. He brought up Bangladesh even during an interview with an India newspaper, The Indian Express on Friday. There, too, he put the democracy of the neighbouring ally on the same seat as Russia and Pakistan.

Arvind Kejriwal was asked about the possible aftermath, if Modi becomes the prime minister for the third time.

In response he said, "They (BJP) will amend the constitution and the country will move towards dictatorship. Either there will be no elections, or the elections will be like those in Russia, where Vladimir Putin has either put the entire opposition in jail or has got them killed. Elections were held only after that and he bagged 87 per cent votes. In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina put everyone (opposition activists) in jail and won by a landslide margin."

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​