[🇧🇩] The Nexus Between Awami League and India

[Saif]

আপস হয়ে গেছে, দিল্লি আছে আমরা আছি: ওবায়দুল কাদের

তিনি বলেন, শেখ হাসিনা বঙ্গবন্ধুর কন্যা এমন ভারসাম্য সবার সাথে করে ফেলেছেন, আর কোনো চিন্তা নাই। ইলেকশন হবে, যথাসময়ে হবে।

bangla.thedailystar.net

আপস হয়ে গেছে, দিল্লি আছে আমরা আছি: ওবায়দুল কাদের​

তিনি বলেন, শেখ হাসিনা বঙ্গবন্ধুর কন্যা এমন ভারসাম্য সবার সাথে করে ফেলেছেন, আর কোনো চিন্তা নাই। ইলেকশন হবে, যথাসময়ে হবে।
আমিনবাজারে আওয়ামী লীগের শান্তি সমাবেশে বক্তব্য দেন ওবায়দুল কাদের।

আমিনবাজারে আওয়ামী লীগের শান্তি সমাবেশে বক্তব্য দেন ওবায়দুল কাদের। ছবি: স্টার

বাংলাদেশ আওয়ামী লীগের সাধারণ সম্পাদক এবং সড়ক পরিবহন ও সেতুমন্ত্রী ওবায়দুল কাদের বলেছেন, কোথায় স্যাংশন কোথায় ভিসা নীতি। তলে তলে আপস হয়ে গেছে। দিল্লি আছে, আমেরিকারও দিল্লিকে দরকার। দিল্লি আছে আমরা আছি। শত্রুতা কারো সঙ্গে হবে না সবার সঙ্গে বন্ধুত্ব হবে। শেখ হাসিনা সবার সঙ্গে বন্ধুত্ব করে ফেলেছেন।

আজ মঙ্গলবার সন্ধ্যায় রাজধানীর প্রবেশমুখ আমিনবাজারে ঢাকা জেলা আওয়ামী লীগের আয়োজনে 'বিএনপি-জামায়াতের সন্ত্রাস, জঙ্গিবাদ, নৈরাজ্য, অপরাজনীতি ও অব্যাহত দেশবিরোধী ষড়যন্ত্রের' বিরুদ্ধে আয়োজিত শান্তি সমাবেশে ওবায়দুল কাদের এসব কথা বলেছেন।​

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তিনি বলেন, 'বিএনপি এখন পথ হারিয়ে দিশাহারা। কীসে দিশাহারা? দুই সেলফিতেই বাজিমাত। একটি সেলফি দিল্লিতে আরেক সেলফি নিউইয়র্কে। শেখ হাসিনা ও তার মেয়ে পুতুল জো বাইডেনের সেলফি, প্রথমে দিল্লি পরে নিউইয়র্ক, দুই সেলফিতেই বাজিমাত।'

ওবায়দুল কাদের বলেন, 'শেখ হাসিনা বঙ্গবন্ধুর কন্যা এমন ভারসাম্য সবার সাথে করে ফেলেছেন, আর কোনো চিন্তা নাই। ইলেকশন হবে, যথাসময়ে হবে। অক্টোবর থেকে, এই মাস থেকে শুরু।

আগামী মাসে সেমিফাইনাল, জানুয়ারিতে ফাইনাল। বিএনপি এখন ফাউল করতেছে, ফাউল করলে হলুদ কার্ড, ফাউল করলে লাল কার্ড। খেলা নিয়ে ফাউল করা চলবে না।'

'বিএনপি খালেদা জিয়াকে ছাড়া ইলেকশন করবে না, না করুক। এতদিন কই ছিল? খালেদা জিয়া বছরের পর বছর জেলে। তার জন্য একটা আন্দোলনও করতে পারল না ফখরুল। আর এখন খালেদা জিয়া ছাড়া নির্বাচন করবে না,' যোগ করেন তিনি।

তিনি বলেন, 'শেখ হাসিনা নাকি নিষ্ঠুরতা দেখাচ্ছে, কেমন নিষ্ঠুরতা? ১৫ই আগস্টে বঙ্গবন্ধুর পরিবারকে তারা রক্তাক্ত করেছে। শেখ হাসিনা, শেখ রেহানা সেদিন বিদেশে ছিলেন বলে বেঁচে গিয়েছিলেন। নিষ্ঠুর কারা? যারা এইদেশে জাতির পিতাকে হত্যা করেছে, জেলখানায় ৪ নেতাকে হত্যা করেছে, শেখ হাসিনাকে হত্যা করার জন্য গ্রেনেড হামলা চালিয়েছিল। কে করেছে এই কাজ? হাওয়া ভবন। খালেদা জিয়ার ছেলে তারেক জিয়া। শেখ হাসিনাকে হত্যা করতে চেয়েছে।'

'শেখ হাসিনাকে এ পর্যন্ত ২০ বার হত্যার ষড়যন্ত্র হয়েছে' উল্লেখ করে ওবায়দুল কাদের প্রশ্ন করেন, 'বেগম জিয়াকে কি একবারও কেউ হত্যা করতে গিয়েছে? বেগম জিয়ার জীবনের ওপর একবারও কি হামলা হয়েছে? আওয়ামী লীগ তা করবে না। কারণ আওয়ামী লীগ হত্যার ষড়যন্ত্রের রাজনীতিতে বিশ্বাস করে না। আওয়ামী লীগ ষড়যন্ত্র করে না। কিন্তু আওয়ামী লীগ বারবার ষড়যন্ত্রের শিকার হয়। এখনো আওয়ামী লীগের বিরুদ্ধে ষড়যন্ত্র চলছে।'

দেশে নিত্যপ্রয়োজনীয় দ্রব্যমূল্যের ঊর্ধ্বগতি প্রসঙ্গে মন্ত্রী বলেন, 'জিনিসপত্রের দামের আজ যে ঊর্ধ্বগতি, সেই দাম যেন কমে সেজন্য শেখ হাসিনা অবিরাম চেষ্টা করে যাচ্ছেন। জিনিসপত্রের দাম এখন একটু বেশি, সারা দুনিয়ায় বেশি। শেখ হাসিনা চেষ্টা করে যাচ্ছেন, ইনশাল্লাহ নির্বাচনের মধ্যে দাম একটু একটু করে কমে যাবে। মানুষের ক্রয়ক্ষমতার মধ্যে জিনিসপত্রের দাম চলে আসবে, চিন্তা করবেন না।'

তিনি বলেন, 'খালেদা জিয়া ছাড়া নির্বাচনে যাবে না, আর কত হুমকি, অক্টোবর মাস তো চলে যাচ্ছে, ৪৮ ঘণ্টার আলটিমেটাম বুড়িগঙ্গায় ভেসে গেছে। আন্দোলনের নামে বিএনপি নেতারা দিশেহারা হয়ে ঘুরে বেড়ান।'

'আমেরিকার রিপাবলিকান ইনস্টিটিউট এক সমীক্ষায় মন্তব্য করেছে, এই মুহূর্তে ভোট হলে ৭০ শতাংশ লোক শেখ হাসিনাকে ভোট দেবে,' বলেন তিনি।

ওবায়দুল কাদের বলেন, 'বঙ্গবন্ধুর কন্যার ওপর আস্থা রাখবেন। তার মতো নেতা আর নাই। ৪৮ বছরে শেখ হাসিনার মত এমন জনপ্রিয় নেতা, সৎ নেতা বাংলাদেশে আর আসে নাই।'

'বিএনপির দম ফুরিয়ে গেছে। ওদের দিয়ে আর আন্দোলনও হবে না, নির্বাচনও হবে না। ভোট হবে, ভোট বাংলাদেশে হবে, যে যত ষড়যন্ত্রই করুক, নির্বাচন বাংলাদেশে হবেই ইনশাআল্লাহ। সুষ্ঠু নির্বাচন হবে, অবাধ নির্বাচন হবে, ফ্রি ফেয়ার নির্বাচন হবে,' যোগ করেন তিনি।

'আওয়ামী লীগ নিষেধাজ্ঞার পরোয়া করে না' উল্লেখ করে ওবায়দুল কাদের বলেন, 'আমরা ভিসা নীতির পরোয়া করি না। আমরা ঠিক আছি, আমরা তো শান্তিপূর্ণ নির্বাচন চাই। কেন তাহলে ভিসা নীতি, কেন তাহলে নিষেধাজ্ঞা।'

তিনি বলেন, 'কেউ নিষেধাজ্ঞা দেবেন না, নিষেধাজ্ঞার ধামকি দেবেন না। নিষেধাজ্ঞা শেষ। দেখেন না ফখরুল সাহেবের গলার আওয়াজ নরম হয়ে গেছে।'

বিএনপি ক্ষমতায় এলে আবারও লুটপাট করবে উল্লেখ করে মন্ত্রী বলেন, 'মানুষ বুঝে গেছে, বিএনপির লাফালাফি-বাড়াবাড়িতে জনগণের কোনো লাভ নাই। এই চোরারা চুরি করার জন্য আবারও দুর্নীতি করবে, লুটপাট করবে, আবারও ভোটচুরি করবে। ক্ষমতায় এলে বিএনপি গণতন্ত্র গিলে খাবে।'

ওবায়দুল কাদের বলেন, 'ডিসেম্বরে বলেছিল খালেদা জিয়া দেশ চালাবে। ৯ মাস চলে গেছে। এখন খালেদা জিয়া চিকিৎসার জন্য শেখ হাসিনার কাছে আবেদন করে। ৪-৫ বছর হাজিরা পর্যন্ত দেয়নি। এতদিন খালেদা জিয়ার মামলার ফয়সালা হয়ে যেত হয়ত মুক্তিও পেত। কিন্তু মামলা ফয়সালা হয়নি শুধু বিএনপির জন্য। বিএনপি মামলা ঝুলিয়ে রেখেছে৷ আদালতে ঝুলিয়ে রেখেছে, খালেদা জিয়াকে দেখিয়ে যদি কিছু করা যায়।'

শিগগির গাবতলী ব্রিজ হয়ে যাবে উল্লেখ করে সেতুমন্ত্রী বলেন, 'আমিনবাজারের ব্রিজগুলো একে একে সব হয়ে গেছে। গাবতলি ব্রিজও শিগগির হয়ে যাবে। গাজীপুরের বাস র‍্যাপিড ট্রানজিটও হয়ে যাবে। আগামী বছর লাইনের ওপর বাস চলবে। সুদিন আবার আসবেই। সুখ চাইলে একটু কষ্ট লাগেই। এই কষ্ট বেশিদিন থাকবে না।'

ঢাকা জেলা আওয়ামী লীগের সভাপতি ও ঢাকা-২০ আসনের সংসদ সদস্য বেনজীর আহমেদ সভাপতিত্বে ও ঢাকা জেলা আওয়ামী লীগের সাধারণ সম্পাদক পনিরুজ্জামান তরুণের সঞ্চালনায় সমাবেশে বিশেষ অতিথি হিসেবে উপস্থিত ছিলেন, আওয়ামী লীগের সভাপতিমণ্ডলীর সদস্য কামরুল ইসলাম, জাহাঙ্গীর কবির নানক, দলের যুগ্ম-সাধারণ সম্পাদক আ ফ ম বাহাউদ্দিন নাছিম, সাংগঠনিক সম্পাদক মির্জা, ঢাকা-১৯ আসনের সংসদ সদস্য ও দুর্যোগ ব্যবস্থাপনা ও ত্রাণ প্রতিমন্ত্রী ডা. এনামুর রহমান।​

 

[Vikings]

@Saif , I would like to see where Hasina herself said that India is supporting her or India wants her to stay in power? Could you please show me? Thank you!

 

[Saif]

@Saif , I would like to see where Hasina herself said that India is supporting her or India wants her to stay in power? Could you please show me? Thank you!

Could you please show me where Hasina had said that China was supporting her to stay in power? Whatever Obaidul Kader said about Indian influence in the election was actually what Hasina had told him to say. No prime minister in the world ever acknowledges foreign help in the election in public.

 

[Vikings]

Could you please show me where Hasina had said that China was supporting her to stay in power? Whatever Obaidul Kader said about Indian influence in the election was actually what Hasina had told him to say. No prime minister in the world ever acknowledges foreign help in the election in public.

Exactly, no PM will ever do it , all are from his/her lackeys who are claiming so!

But it's only because, it's very convenient to go with the standard storyline!

I hope you didn't forget the statement of Obaidul Kader against sheikh Hasina, when he was captured after 1/11!

These people are fair weather friends , and Hasina knows it very well!

This thread of @Old School bhai ( source is an article of Manab zamin ) explains the relationship between BNP and India nicely! I've tagged you on that thread!

The article also suggested that what oppositions want! They actually want good relationship with India!

[🇧🇩] - Why BNP's talks with India failed

Observers believe that the 10-truck arms ( Chittagong, 2004) is the main reason for the BNP's cold relations with India to date. There is criticism that the BNP government was forced to seize those weapons under pressure from India. Otherwise, it would have gone into the hands of Indian...

www.pkdefense.com

 

[Vikings]

@Saif please take a look,





[h1]Xi reaffirms close ties with Bangladesh[/h1][h2]By Xu Wei | China Daily | Updated: 2024-01-12 07:09[/h2]

[Photo/VCG]
Congratulations sent to Hasina on her reelection as nation's prime minister
China has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger political mutual trust and further alignment in development strategies with Bangladesh, as the reelection of the nation's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for a fourth consecutive term bolstered expectations for elevated bilateral ties.
In a congratulatory message extended to Hasina on Thursday, President Xi Jinping underlined Beijing's readiness to carry forward the traditional friendship with Dhaka, advance the high-quality building of the Belt and Road and keep bringing the bilateral strategic partnership to a higher level.
The Bangladesh Awami League led by Hasina, the current ruling party of the South Asian country, secured a landslide victory during an election held on Sunday.
Hasina, the world's longest-serving incumbent female leader, was sworn in on Thursday along with a new lineup of cabinet ministers.
Premier Li Qiang also sent a congratulatory message to Hasina on Thursday.
In an interview with China Daily, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said the congratulatory messages from Chinese leaders "fully showcased Beijing's strong emphasis on the further deepening of its strategic partnership with Dhaka".
Yao noted that Hasina has given priority to building up friendship with China, which was the destination of her first official visit overseas in 1996, the beginning of her first five-year term.
The Bangladeshi leader, who has made six visits to China, has always viewed Beijing as Dhaka's most reliable partner and friend.
The Chinese envoy said that ties between China and Bangladesh have become a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation between developing nations.
"Our two nations are set to embrace a historic opportunity to further elevate relations next year, which marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties," he said.
Lin Minwang, deputy director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, said that ties between China and Bangladesh could embrace a new period of positive development with Hasina now securing her fifth term as the leader of the populous nation.
"It will be a significant boost to the Belt and Road cooperation between the two nations, as the Belt and Road Initiative has already spurred the transformation of the nation's infrastructure and improved people's well-being," he said.
Support from Beijing is also crucial for Hasina to advance the nation's drive to build a smart country by 2041, Lin added.
China is Bangladesh's largest trading partner, while Bangladesh is China's third-largest trading partner in South Asia. In 2022, trade between the two countries grew by 10.7 percent year-on-year to $27.79 billion.
Bangladesh was the first South Asian country to join the BRI. According to the Chinese embassy, over 670 Chinese companies now operate in Bangladesh and they have been involved in the construction of seven railways, 12 highways, 21 bridges and 31 power stations.
These projects have created 550,000 job opportunities in Bangladesh and played an important role in its economic development, environmental protection and community services, the embassy said.
Hasina has lauded the BRI for opening a new door of development for Bangladesh.
Yao, the ambassador, said that various sectors in Bangladesh have expressed the belief that the BRI is the vision that is aligned most strongly with the South Asian country's national strategies, including its goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2041 through its Vision 2041.
He underscored Beijing's continuous support for the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh.
"We will fully leverage the complementary advantages of our economies to make Sino-Bangladeshi economic and trade cooperation a benchmark and model for high-quality construction of the BRI," Yao added.
The robust ties between the two nations are built on a strong foundation of public opinion. According to a recent survey conducted by a Bangladeshi think tank, over 90 percent of the respondents believe that the current state of Sino-Bangladeshi relations is positive.
The survey also found there has been a noticeable increase in the approval and friendliness of the Bangladeshi people toward China, and that an increasing number of Bangladeshi citizens are expressing their wish to travel, study and engage in business in China.
xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn

Xi reaffirms close ties with Bangladesh

China has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger political mutual trust and further alignment in development strategies with Bangladesh, as the reelection of the nation's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for a fourth consecutive term bolstered expectations for elevated bilateral ties.

www.chinadaily.com.cn

 

[Vikings]

It's from last year when America was desperate to kick Hasina out!

[h2]

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen Publishes an Op-ed Titled"BD an important strategic partner of China"​

[/h2][h2]

（From Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh）​

[/h2]

2023-08-03 11:57​

On August 3, 2023, The Financial Express published an op-ed authored by Ambassador Yao Wen titled BD an important strategic partner of China. The full text of the article is as follows:

Recently, China has released its main economic data for the first half of 2023, which has attracted enormous attention from the international community. According to the data, China's economy has retained its strong resilience, substantial potential, and immense vitality, showing a good momentum of recovery.

With regard to the gross economic growth, China's GDP in the first half of the year grew by 5.5%, which has been notably faster than that of the world's major developed economies, exhibiting strong resilience.

With regard to other indicators, China's economy has also registered a stellar performance.

Market demand gradually recovered. The total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 8.2%. The contribution of final consumption expenditure to economic growth reached 77.2%. The national per capita consumption expenditure saw a nominal growth of 8.4%. The investment in fixed assets grew by 3.8%.

Production supply continued to increase. The value added of agriculture witnessed a year-on-year increase of 3.3%. The total output of summer grain ranked the second highest amount in history. The total value added of industrial enterprises above designated size grew by 3.8%, and the value added of services went up by 6.4%. Regarding production, the Chinese economy is now powered mainly by a combination of the service sector and industry.

Production supply continued to increase. The value added of agriculture witnessed a year-on-year increase of 3.3%. The total output of summer grain ranked the second highest amount in history. The total value added of industrial enterprises above designated size grew by 3.8%, and the value added of services went up by 6.4%. Regarding production, the Chinese economy is now powered mainly by a combination of the service sector and industry.

Foreign trade achieved stability and quality improvement. The total value of imports and exports of goods increased by 2.1%, setting a new historical record for the same period. Exports grew by 3.7%. China's imports and exports with countries along the Belt and Road increased by 9.8%.

Employment and people's livelihoods were ensured. The job market has been generally improved. The urban surveyed unemployment rate averaged 5.3%, down by 0.2 percentage point over that of the first quarter. Residents' incomes increased steadily, where the nominal growth of nationwide per capita disposable income was 6.5%.

This outstanding performance not only improves the well being of the Chinese people, but also injects impetus into the world growth. Since the beginning of this year, the world has witnessed a sluggish economic situation and relatively high inflation, and major economies have tightened monetary policies to curb high inflation, which has aggravated the contraction in global demand. In this context, all parties draw close attention to China's economic performance and expect China to provide substantial support to global economic development. We are proud that China has not let the world down. Major international organizations have recently increased their expectations for global economic growth. One of the key reasons behind this is that China has maintained its economic recovery.

good number of projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises will commence construction or be completed. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, the first section of the Padma Bridge Railway, Bangladesh Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project, and the first section of Dhaka Elevated Expressway will be completed and open to traffic, which significantly improve the traffic efficency in Bangladesh. S.Alam 1320MW Coal Fired Plant and Cox's Bazar 60MW Wind Power Plant will be operated commercially, significantly increase Bangladesh's electricity supply. Rajshahi WASA Surface Water Treatment Plant and the Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in North Dhaka will break ground, effectively improve the livelihood of the local people. It is my conviction that these projects will certainly play important role in facilitating Bangladesh to realize "Vision 2041" and "Sonar Bangla" dream.

China is always a trustworthy partner in Bangladesh's journey towards modernization. China stands ready to keep deepening its strategic partnership with Bangladesh and jointly make contribution to global and regional economic growth.

系统维护_中华人民共和国外交部

www.mfa.gov.cn

 

[Vikings]

[H2]

Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong Attends Bangladesh Independence Day Reception​

[/H2]

2024-03-27 10:30​

On March 26, 2024, Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong, upon invitation, attended the Independence Day reception hosted by the Embassy of Bangladesh in China.

Chen Xiaodong expressed congratulations on the 53rd Independence Day of Bangladesh, saying that China and Bangladesh are traditionally friendly neighbors. In August last year, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, providing important strategic guidance for the development of China-Bangladesh relations. China is willing to work with Bangladesh to implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to deepen political mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and continuously promote the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to new levels.

Bangladeshi Ambassador to China Md. Jashim Uddin expressed gratitude to China for its consistent respect and support for Bangladesh, saying that China is the largest trade and development partner of Bangladesh and there is enormous potential for cooperation between the two countries. Bangladesh looks forward to accelerating the synergy between the dream of "Golden Bangladesh" and the Belt and Road Initiative with China, expanding cooperation in various fields, and bringing more benefits to the two peoples.

Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong Attends Bangladesh Independence Day Reception

 

[Vikings]

@Saif ,could you please show something similar from Indian external affairs ministry's supports like the Chinese ones.

 

[Saif]

@Saif ,could you please show something similar from Indian external affairs ministry's supports like the Chinese ones.

We definitely have divergent views on Indian/Chinese support for Awami League in the election. So, let's agree to disagree on the subject.

 

[Vikings]

We definitely have divergent views on Indian/Chinese support for Awami League in the election. So, let's agree to disagree on the subject.

It's not my view . Actually with due respect, I don't have any preconceived view on anything. I just posted some Chinese support for BAL from the statements of Chinese officials, and requested same statements from Indians!

However let's agree to disagree here respectfully! Thanks and best regards!

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh elections: Why India matters across the border

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeks a fourth consecutive term as the country goes to the polls on Sunday.

www.bbc.com

Bangladesh elections: Why India matters across the border
3 January 2024
By Anbarasan Ethirajan,
BBC News

Sheikh Hasina alongside Narendra Modi in Delhi last year

As Bangladesh gets ready to hold general elections on 7 January, the role of its giant neighbour India is being intensely discussed in the country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking a fourth consecutive term and her win looks inevitable as the main opposition parties are boycotting the election.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies say they have no faith that Ms Hasina will hold a free and fair election. They asked her to step down and allow the polls to be held under a neutral interim government - demands she rejected.

The Muslim-majority nation of about 170 million people, Bangladesh is almost surrounded on three sides - barring a 271km (168-mile)-long border with Myanmar in the southeast - by India.

For India, Bangladesh is not just a neighbouring country. It's a strategic partner and a close ally, crucial to the security of its north-eastern states.

So, Indian policy makers argue that Delhi needs a friendly regime in Dhaka. Ms Hasina has forged close ties with India since she was first elected in 1996 and it's no secret that Delhi wants to see her return to power.

Ms Hasina has always justified Dhaka's close relationship with Delhi. During a visit to India in 2022, she said Bangladesh should not forget India, its government, people and armed forces as they stood beside the country during the independence war in 1971.

This backing for her Awami League party has triggered sharp criticism from the opposition BNP.

"India should support the people of Bangladesh and not a particular party. Unfortunately, Indian policy makers don't want democracy in Bangladesh," Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, a senior BNP leader told the BBC.

Mr Rizvi said Delhi was "alienating the people of Bangladesh" by openly rooting for Ms Hasina and backing what he called a "dummy election".

An Indian foreign ministry spokesperson refused to comment on the BNP's allegations on Delhi's alleged interference in Bangladesh polls.

"Elections are a domestic matter to Bangladesh. It's for the people of Bangladesh to decide their own future. As a close friend and partner of Bangladesh we would like to see peaceful elections there," the spokesperson said in response to a question by the BBC.

Getty Images Supporters and opponents of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rally in front of the World Bank on 1 May 2023 in Washington DC.Getty Images
Delhi fears the return of Islamist groups if Sheikh Hasina is voted out.

India is also concerned that the return of BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami party could pave the way for the return of Islamists in Bangladesh, as it had happened when the coalition was in power between 2001 and 2006.

"They gave rise to so many of these jihadi groups which were used for various purposes, including the 2004 assassination attempt on Ms Hasina and the capture of 10 trucks full of arms that came from Pakistan," Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, a former Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka told the BBC.

Soon after coming to power in 2009, Ms Hasina also won favour with Delhi after acting against ethnic insurgent groups of India's northeast, some of which were operating from Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh share close cultural, ethnic and linguistic ties. Delhi played a key role in Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971 by sending in troops in support of the Bengali Resistance Force.

Dhaka depends on Delhi for the supply of many essential commodities like rice, pulses and vegetables. So, India is influential in Bangladesh from the kitchen to the ballot.

India has also offered more than $7bn Line of Credit to Bangladesh since 2010 for infrastructure and development projects.

Why Bangladesh's election has become a one-woman show Political violence grips Bangladesh as election looms.

But over the decades, there have been irritants in relations ranging from disputes over sharing of water resources to accusations of meddling in each other's internal affairs.

"India has an image problem in Bangladesh. It comes from the perception that Bangladesh is not getting the best of the good neighbour, whether it comes to Delhi's support for the government that possibly doesn't enjoy full democratic legitimacy or in deals where we seek equitable share," Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue in Dhaka, told the BBC.

Ms Hasina came to power for a second time in January 2009 and her party has since won two more elections, although there have been accusations of widespread vote-rigging. The Awami League has denied the allegations.

Though India has gained road, river and train access via Bangladesh to transport goods to its north-eastern states, critics say Dhaka is still not able to do full-fledged overland trade with landlocked Nepal and Bhutan across the Indian territory.

India also has other strategic reasons to have a friendly government in Dhaka.


Delhi wants road and river transport access for its seven north-eastern states through Bangladesh.

Now the road and train connectivity from the Indian mainland to its northeast is through the "chicken's neck" - a 20km (12 mile) land corridor that runs between Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. Officials in Delhi are afraid this stretch is strategically vulnerable in any potential conflict with India's rival, China.

While several Western governments had wanted to impose additional sanctions on Bangladeshi officials over alleged human rights violations and extra-judicial killings, India has been resisting the move calling it counterproductive. More so, since Beijing is keen to extend its footprint in Bangladesh as it battles for regional supremacy with India.

Pool Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as she arrives for a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on 5 July 2019 in Beijing, ChinaPool

Officials in Delhi fear that Bangladesh could warm up to China if there's a potential conflict with Delhi

"We have conveyed to the West that if you push Ms Hasina, she will go into the Chinese camp, like other countries have done. That will cause a strategic problem with India," the former Indian diplomat, Mr Chakravarty, said. "We can't afford that," he added.

Despite close ties between the two governments there is suspicion among some Bangladeshis when it comes to India.

"I don't think Indians are friendly in all the areas. We are always having a problem with India as we are a Muslim nation," Zamiruddin, a vegetable merchant in Dhaka, said.

"We will have to safeguard ourselves first and then rely on others. Otherwise, we will be in trouble," he added.

While Delhi is concerned about the possibility of an Islamist regrouping, many in Bangladesh are worried about what's happening across the border.

Rights groups say since the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014 in India, discrimination against religious minorities, particularly Muslims, has increased - an allegation the BJP denies.

Indian politicians also talk about alleged infiltration by "Bangladeshi illegal immigrants' - seen as a part reference to Bengali Muslims who live in states like Assam and West Bengal.

"The maltreatment of Indian Muslims creates high potential possibility of maltreatment of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh," Mr Bhattacharya said.

Hindus constitute nearly 8% of Bangladesh's population.

Delhi is clear that Sheikh Hasina at the helm will suit its interests. But the challenging part will be reaching out to the people of Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/264380/hasan-bangladesh-india-bond-inscribed-with-blood

Hasan: Bangladesh-India bond inscribed with blood

Bangladesh will never forget the contribution of India to the country's Liberation War, says Hasan
​

File photo of Information Minister Hasan Mahmud talking to reporters at the secretariat on Sunday, October 3, 2021 PID
BSS
Publish : 23 Feb 2022, 09:00 PMUpdate : 07 Mar 2022, 01:30 PM

Terming Bangladesh-India relations as historical, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said the bonds of the peoples of the two countries are inscribed with blood.

"Bangladesh will never forget the historical contribution of India to the country's great Liberation War and its struggle for independence. It will be written in golden letter in the pages of history," he said.

"The relations between the two countries have reached a new height under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi," he added.

Hasan stated these while inaugurating the second Bangladesh Film Festival at Agartala in Tripura of India.

Bangladesh Assistant High Commission to Agartala organized the festival under the initiative of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Chief Minister of Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb addressed the inaugural function as the chief guest. Information and Cultural Affairs Minister of Tripura Sushanata Chowdhury,

Bangladesh lawmakers Mamtaz Begum and Saimum Sarwar Kamol, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Mokbul Hossain, and Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Nural Islam, addressed the function as special guests while Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Arif Mohammad gave the welcome speech.

Hasan said about one crore people took shelter in India during the Liberation War and the then Indian government carried out diplomatic activities in different countries of the world to free Bangabandhu. "We never forget the contribution of India," he added.

Expressing deep gratitude to the people of Tripura and the then government of the state, he said the people of the state had opened the door of Tripura in 1971 and hundreds of refugees took shelter there.

He said, "Our language is same and the culture is also similar though we are people of two countries. Many people of Tripura played a role in our Liberation War and many of them were awarded by the Bangladesh government."

Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, extended thanks to all of them and their family members.

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar said the people of Bangladesh are walking bravely across the globe due to the dynamic leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The enemies of Bangladesh and India will never succeed due to the farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Premier Narendra Modi, he added.

He said, "I was born in 1971 when Bangladesh achieved independence besides, Bangladesh will be my first foreign tour as the chief minister."

After the inaugural discussion, the documentary based on Bangladesh's PM's life "Sheikh Hasina: A Daughter's Tale" was screened.

Earlier, Hasan met with the Tripura chief minister at his office. In the bilateral meeting, they discussed the transport system and increasing cultural and trading relations.

Hasan will inaugurate the festival at Guwahati on Thursday.

The minister will also hold a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Bishwa Shorma, inaugurate Bangabandhu Center at Bangladesh Assistant High Commission of Guwahati and Indo-Bangla Jamdani exhibition centre at Assam Nepal Temple.

The minister is expected to return home on February 27.​