Getty ImagesMore than a fortnight after the resignation of previous prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the relationship between India and Bangladesh continues to be gloomy. While Hasina’s stay in India remains an irritating, a new interview by Bangladesh’s interim chief Muhammad Yunus likewise took India by surprise. Anbarasan Ethirajan from the BBC explores current relations.
Sheikh Hasina was seen as pro-India and the two countries enjoyed close strategic and economic ties during her 15-year rule. Her time in power was also beneficial for India’s security, as she cracked down on some anti-India insurgent groups operating from her country and settled some border disputes.
However, her presence in India and the lack of information on how much she did be make the two nations ‘ efforts to maintain a positive relationship more difficult.
That was made more clear last week when Yunus urged India to prevent Hasina from making any political remarks while she remained in Delhi in an appointment with the media faith of India.
She must stay quiet if India wants her to stay until Bangladesh wants her back, according to Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize prize who is currently in charge of an interim government following Hasina’s departure.
Yunus may have been referring to a statement released days after Hasina’s arrival which had stoked anger in Bangladesh. She has not issued any public communication since then.
There have been calls within Bangladesh to bring Hasina back to stand trial for killings of people during the anti-government protests in July and August.
In addition, Yunus stated in the discussion that both nations must work together to improve their diplomatic associations, which he described as “at a low.”
India’s foreign government has not officially reacted yet to the comment, but authorities are reportedly “upset”.
An Indian established told the BBC on condition of anonymity that” India is anticipating and watching improvements in Bangladesh, taking note of claims emanating from Dhaka that represent both recognized opinions and views expressed by important people.
Former Indian officials claim that Yunus ‘ attempts to discuss controversial bilateral issues through the media have surprised them by what Yunus has described as “megaphone geopolitics.”
Getty Images” India has indicated its eagerness to talk to the interim government, and to explore all fears, those of Bangladesh and those of India”, Veena Sikri, a former Indian high commissioner in Dhaka, said.
The retired diplomat claims that the issues merited quiet discussions, and it’s unclear “on what grounds ] Yunus ] has characterized the bilateral relationship as low.”
But Bangladesh’s unusual government rejects the criticism.
” Do n’t Indian leaders talk to any media? Dr. Yunus is free to express his opinions when he is questioned about particular problems. If you want to denounce, you may reject about anything”, Touhid Hossain, assistant to the Bangladeshi foreign ministry, told the BBC.
Although Narendra Modi and Yunus, the Indian Prime Minister, spoke on the phone a few weeks ago, there have n’t been any ministerial level discussions so far.
Hasina may stay until another state agrees to let her in, according to what there is a general discussion in India.
However, the previously appointed deputy attorney of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, has said they are taking measures to surrender her to face charges in connection with the deaths during the protests.
We will try to bring her back to Bangladesh in court, according to Islam, adding that since she has been charged with the principal murders, there is no doubt about it.
However, experts say it’s doubtful that Hasina will be extradited despite submitting a proper request.
She is residing here as an Indian visitor. If we do n’t extend basic courtesy to our long-time friend, then why would anyone take us seriously as a friend in future”? According to Riva Ganguly Das, who was also a former Indian great director to Dhaka,
Yunus also criticized Delhi for ignoring Bangladeshi criticism events in his exam.
” The narrative is that everybody is Islamist, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party ( BNP ) is Islamist, and everyone else is Islamist and will make this country into Afghanistan. And Sheikh Hasina, who is only in charge, guarantees that Bangladesh is secure. India is captivated by this narrative”, he said.
But American analysts differ.
” I definitely do not agree with that statement. In Bangladesh, our great commission talk to all social events without ascribing any names”, says Ms Sikri.
During the earlier BNP-led coalition government from 2001 to 2006, the diplomatic partnership deteriorated, with Delhi accusing Dhaka of harbouring rebels from India’s north-east. The BNP denies this.
Getty ImagesHowever, some in Bangladesh argue that India may be reaching out to the BNP, which is convinced that it will win the election any time it is held.
” No Indian official has met us since 5 August ]when Hasina’s government fell]. I do n’t know the reason”, says Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the BNP.
Contradictory to what the Chinese embassy in Dhaka and European Union envoys have been saying frequently to the BNP,
The lack of security in the days after the fall of Hasina has also given rise to attacks on religious minorities by suspected Islamists. India has already expressed concern several times over reports of attacks on Hindus.
In the past several weeks, some Sufi temples, geographically known as mazars, have also been vandalised by Islamist secularists. In Bangladesh, there are a lot of Sunni Muslims, and radicals view shrines and tombs dedicated to respected figures as un-Islamic.
Tamanna Akhtar, the family of the custodian of the temple of Ali Khawaja Ali Pagla Pir in Sirajganj area, said,” A group of people came and vandalized my father-in-law’s monument a few days ago and warned us not to do any un-Islamic festivals.”
AFM Khalid Hossain, the minister’s advisor to the Bangladeshi spiritual affairs government, has stated that legal action will be taken against those who violate religious institutions.
But experts say that if Islamist hardliners re-establish an assertive reputation, however little it may be, in Bangladesh, it may set off alarm bells for Delhi.
In the past several months, a convicted Islamist radical has been released. Last month, nine suspected radicals escaped during a prison break, and four of them were eventually detained.
Jashimuddin Rahmani, commander of the Ansarullah Bangla Team, which was designated as a terror dress by Hasina’s state in 2016, walked out of prison next month.
In connection with the murder of an atheist journalist, he was given a five-year prison sentence in 2015. Due to pending cases, he continued to be imprisoned also after his captivity name expired.
” Some extremists have been freed in the last month. Some of them are known to India”, past minister Ms Das said, terming it a” major problem”.
More reporting by Mukimul Ahsan, BBC Bengali Service, Dhaka