In September final 12 months, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi obtained Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a particular visitor throughout the G20 Summit in New Delhi. It is a heat gesture in the direction of a neighbor whom India considers a very shut associate.
Now, a 12 months later, proximity to Hasina has grow to be a headache for India. Earlier this month, pupil protests compelled Hasina to step down after 15 years in energy. Hasina fled to India.
Weeks after Hasina was overthrown, anti-India sentiment stays excessive in Bangladesh, evident in all the things from rising requires New Delhi to extradite Hasina to accusations that India is utilizing visas and water ways to focus on its neighbor.
Here’s a detailed evaluation of all points within the relationship between the 2 international locations:
Opposition calls for Hasina’s extradition
Hasina fled Bangladesh in a navy helicopter on August 5 and landed at a navy base close to New Delhi, the place she was greeted by India’s nationwide safety adviser Ajit Doval. She is believed to have been dwelling in and across the Indian capital.
However calls are rising for Hasina to be extradited to Bangladesh.
On Monday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, common secretary of the primary opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Get together (BNP), informed Indian media that Hasina should be extradited to Bangladesh to face trial. Nationwide Get together Chairman Mohammed Quader additionally responded to the request that day. Quader was the chief of the opposition in Bangladesh’s parliament, which was dissolved on August 6.
Indian media quoted Alamgir as saying: “India ought to assist Bangladesh maintain her accountable as a result of she has clearly induced nice hurt to Bangladesh.” Hasina faces a sequence of authorized instances, together with a homicide investigation.
Final week, Bangladesh’s interim authorities underneath Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus canceled Hasina’s diplomatic visa. With out this, it’s unclear how lengthy Hasina can keep in India legally. The Indian authorities has but to touch upon the matter.
Ali Riaz, a professor and political scientist at Illinois State College, mentioned the folks of Bangladesh are searching for Hasina’s extradition to carry her accountable for alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings throughout her 15-year rule in Bangladesh.
The Fast Motion Battalion (RAB) paramilitary drive is underneath UN sanctions for its involvement in killings and disappearances.
Safety forces have induced “greater than 600 disappearances” since Hasina ascended to the highest job in 2009, Human Rights Watch mentioned final 12 months.
Is India answerable for Bangladesh floods?
Bengal and elements of northeastern India, together with Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya, skilled heavy downpours in August.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Catastrophe Administration and Reduction mentioned on August 23 that about 190,000 folks had been despatched to emergency aid shelters. The ministry mentioned 11 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts had been hit by floods. Floods have left greater than 1,000,000 folks lower off from the remainder of the nation.
Nevertheless, in Bangladeshi our on-line world, there are rumors that the flooding was attributable to India intentionally opening the Dumpur Dam situated on the higher reaches of the Gumti River in Tripura, India. The Gumti River flows from India to Bangladesh. There’s presently no proof to assist this declare.
The Indian Ministry of International Affairs issued an announcement on August 22 stating that the flood was attributable to extreme rainfall and water within the massive catchment space downstream of the dam. “We stay dedicated to resolving points and customary considerations relating to water assets and river water administration by means of bilateral consultations and technical discussions,” the assertion learn. There are 54 cross-border rivers between India and Bangladesh.
Earlier this week, Indian Excessive Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma informed Yunus that water from the dam was “mechanically launched” as a result of rising water ranges.
Nevertheless, officers from the Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Heart informed Al Jazeera that in contrast to prior to now, India didn’t concern water warnings to neighboring international locations. He added that the warning may assist forestall demise and destruction.
Riaz mentioned no matter induced the flooding, many Bangladeshis had been fast in charge India due to previous experiences with sharing water. Bangladesh has lengthy sought to get extra water from its shared rivers – such a deal has been pending for greater than a decade, a sore spot for Dhaka.
“Beforehand throughout the monsoon we noticed Bangladesh getting flooded with water and throughout the dry season Bangladesh by no means received what they needed,” Riaz mentioned.
What occurred to the Indian visa heart in Bangladesh?
The Indian Visa Utility Facilities (IVACS) in Dhaka and Satykira in southwestern Bangladesh remained closed on Tuesday.
A day earlier, tons of of individuals protested towards delays in visa processing. After Hasina was overthrown, India scaled again its diplomatic presence in Dhaka as a result of safety considerations. In the course of the protests, folks demanded the return of their passports.
In 2023, roughly 1.6 million Bangladeshis visited India – the highest vacation spot for the nation’s residents. Tourism and medical care are the largest causes that entice Bangladeshis to India.
There was a queue of 1 kilometer outdoors the Indian Visa Heart at Jamuna Mall, the most important mall in Asia.
The road begins from the within, passes by means of many corridors, after which comes out from the skin to the primary street, and retains strolling and strolling🤣
Who will deal with your visa brother?
Most workers returned to India,… pic.twitter.com/PkXAcbCoOC
— Son of Bengal 🇧🇩 (@iSoumikSaheb) August 26, 2024
Why are Bangladesh-India relations in bother?
New Delhi and Dhaka have lengthy had robust diplomatic and commerce ties. The Indian military performed a key position in serving to Bangladesh acquire independence from Pakistan in 1971.
In current a long time, nevertheless, it has more and more considered Hasina and her secular Awami League get together as extra according to India’s pursuits. Lots of Hasina’s critics accuse India of making an attempt to prop up her regime regardless of rising proof of undemocratic conduct, together with a crackdown on dissent, arrests of critics and alleged makes an attempt to rig elections.
Riaz mentioned the anger towards India in Bangladesh “displays years of dissatisfaction over authentic points”.
He mentioned “India’s unconditional assist for Hasina” meant it supported “three fraudulent elections and severe human rights violations”.
He cited the instance of former Indian International Secretary Sujata Singh’s go to to Bangladesh earlier than the 2014 elections to dissuade the Nationwide Get together from boycotting the elections. “This offers the Awami League a lifeline.” Most opposition events boycotted the election after senior BNP leaders, together with its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, had been arrested.
In the meantime, assaults on Bangladeshi Hindus, the nation’s largest minority, sparked outrage in India after Hasina was overthrown. Modi additionally sounded a world alarm by discussing the difficulty with US President Joe Biden.
talked @President of the United States @JoeBiden Name right now. We had an in depth trade of views on regional and international points such because the scenario in Ukraine. I reiterate India’s full assist for the early restoration of peace and stability.
We additionally mentioned the scenario in Bangladesh…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 26, 2024
On August 9, tons of of protesters rallied in Dhaka to oppose violence towards Hindus, who make up 8% of the nation’s inhabitants. The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, an umbrella group representing the nation’s non secular minorities, estimates that communal violence has occurred in at the very least 52 districts since Hasina resigned.
Bangladesh’s caretaker Prime Minister Yunus known as Modi on August 16 to guarantee him of the protection of Hindus within the nation. “Reaffirming India’s assist for a democratic, secure, peaceable and progressive Bangladesh,” the Indian Prime Minister wrote on X.
Obtained a name from Professor Muhammad Yunus, @ChiefAdviserGoB. The 2 sides exchanged views on the present scenario. Reaffirmed India’s assist for a democratic, secure, peaceable and progressive Bangladesh. He ensures safety, security and safety to Hindus and all…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2024
Riaz mentioned repairing relations between the 2 international locations was “in any case India’s duty” as Hasina’s regime survived as a result of India’s assist.
“Bengali has entered a brand new chapter,” Riaz mentioned, referring to the tip of Hasina’s lengthy rule.
“Indians ought to recalibrate their insurance policies as an alternative of shouting on their points. Settle for the truth that Bangladesh has moved on and transfer on too”.
