Sheikh Hasina’s resignation: A turning point in Bangladesh-India relations
The dramatic resignation of Bangladesh’s long-serving prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her flight to India highlight the close ties between the two countries. Ms. Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh, a nation of 170 million, for nearly 15 years, faced a significant protest from students demanding the abolition of civil service quotas. This protest escalated into a broader, violent anti-government movement, resulting in at least 280 deaths in clashes between police and protesters.
In June, Ms. Hasina visited India twice. Her first visit was to attend Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oath-taking ceremony. She followed this with a two-day state visit, the first by a head of government to India after Mr. Modi’s coalition won a third consecutive parliamentary election. During a joint news conference, Mr. Modi emphasized the importance of the meeting, noting that Ms. Hasina was the first state guest of his government’s new term. Ms. Hasina echoed the sentiment, expressing the high value Bangladesh places on its relationship with India and inviting others to witness the progress in her country.
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096km border and have strong linguistic, economic, and cultural ties. The two countries have a historical connection dating back to the 1971 war of independence for Bangladesh, during which India supported Bengali nationalists. Bilateral trade between the nations amounts to approximately $16 billion, with India being Bangladesh’s top export destination in Asia. However, their relationship is not without its challenges, such as Bangladesh’s close ties with China, border security issues, migration concerns, and some discomfort with Mr. Modi’s Hindu nationalist politics.
Following Ms. Hasina’s resignation, Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-uz-Zaman announced plans for an interim government and meetings with President Mohammed Shahabuddin and opposition parties. The leadership of this interim government remains unclear. So far, India has described the protests as an “internal matter” of Bangladesh. Indian foreign policy expert Happymon Jacob and Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center believe India will closely watch the developments, hoping for a stable resolution that aligns with its interests.
Student protests in Bangladesh, initially sparked by issues with civil service quotas, have grown into a larger anti-government movement. Ms. Hasina’s unexpected resignation caught many off guard. As the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding president and the world’s longest-serving female head of government, she oversaw significant economic growth and improvements in living standards. However, her tenure was also marred by accusations of human rights abuses and suppression of opposition, which she and her party denied.
Ms. Hasina’s controversial re-election in January, boycotted by the opposition BNP, exacerbated political tensions. Critics in Bangladesh view India’s support for her government as interference in domestic affairs. Political scientist Ali Riaz suggests that India’s backing of Ms. Hasina contributed to the erosion of democracy in Bangladesh, benefiting India economically and strategically.
India’s primary concern is maintaining a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Bangladesh. With the current situation uncertain, a senior Indian diplomat noted that India must avoid actions that could be seen as interference, focusing instead on securing its borders.
Source: BBC
