New Delhi – Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has issued a statement directed towards Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, advising him to carefully consider his public statements, while also reaffirming India's desire to maintain amicable relations with its eastern neighbor. This comes amidst a period of political transition in Bangladesh, which has seen India voice concerns regarding the internal situation.
Singh's comments follow a series of events that have led to increased scrutiny of the relationship between the two nations. On August 5th, the Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina, stepped down in the wake of student protests, leading to the formation of an interim government headed by Dr. Yunus. Since then, India has expressed worries about law and order, and the safety of minority groups in Bangladesh.
Specifically, India has raised concerns about the release of individuals convicted of serious crimes and those associated with violent extremism. These concerns were articulated by India's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, who emphasized the need for Bangladesh to conduct thorough and impartial investigations into acts of violence, particularly those targeting Hindus and other minorities. Jaiswal stated that protecting these groups, their properties, and places of worship is the responsibility of the interim government.
Adding to the complexity, Dr. Yunus recently gave an interview to an Indian news agency, Press Trust of India (PTI), where he discussed various sensitive issues, including the potential extradition and trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the long-standing Teesta River water dispute, and the issue of border killings. These remarks have seemingly prompted the response from Rajnath Singh.
Despite these concerns, India has consistently reiterated its commitment to a strong and stable relationship with Bangladesh. Rajnath Singh, in an interview with Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), quoted former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, stating, "We can change our friends, but we cannot change our neighbors". This underscores India's recognition of the importance of maintaining positive relations with its bordering countries.
In efforts to address the ongoing situation, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor, Md. Tawhid Hossain, in Oman last month. During the meeting, Jaishankar reportedly conveyed the message that terrorism should not be normalized in Bangladesh.
The situation is being closely monitored by analysts and observers. Some feel that India was not pleased with the change in government in Bangladesh. M Humayun Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), has expressed the hope that India will show sensitivity in its dealings with Bangladesh during this transitional period. He cautioned that any negative comments from Indian leaders could harm bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, amid these diplomatic exchanges, incidents along the border have also caused concern. The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was involved in a shooting incident where a teenage Bangladeshi girl was killed, leading to a protest from the Bangladesh foreign ministry.
As Bangladesh prepares for elections expected before February 15th, the international community, including India, is paying close attention to ensure the process is free and fair. The relationship between the interim government and Jamaat-e-Islami is also under scrutiny, with reports of both sides attempting to install loyalists in key positions ahead of the elections.
