India has always expressed a profound interest in the welfare of Bangladesh based on shared history and cultural bonds. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar expressed the same feeling recently by saying, “No other country wishes well for Bangladesh more than India.”
The India-Bangladesh relationship has historical importance traced back to the 1971 war of liberation in which India had a significant role. Dr. Jaishankar identified the special people-to-people relationship that marks this connection. He also welcomed Bangladesh to ensure its democratic practice by holding elections in time, reiterating that “democracies need elections.”
Concerns Regarding Radicalization and Minority Safety
Recent events in Bangladesh have caused concern in India, specifically the safety of splinter groups and the emergence of radicalizing forces. Dr. Jaishankar spoke candidly about these concerns, saying, “We have concerns about the rhetoric. We have concerns about the radicalizing tendencies.
We have concerns about the attacks on people who are few in numbers.” He emphasized that these concerns are those of India as a friendly and close neighbor.
India’s Position During Bangladesh’s Political Crisis
The political situation in Bangladesh has been drastically altered, particularly with the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the formation of an interim government headed by Nobel winner Muhammad Yunus. This development has resulted in conflicting stories about India’s role. Dr. Jaishankar spoke against these illusions, stating that it is not acceptable for Bangladesh to pursue better relations with India while blaming it for all domestic problems. He said, “You cannot, on one hand, say ‘I would now like to have good relations with you, but I wake up every morning and blame you for everything that goes wrong.'”
As neighbors, India and Bangladesh are closely interdependent with their fate being together. Dr. Jaishankar’s statement is a testimony to India’s aspirations of having a peaceful, democratic, and affluent Bangladesh. To make that happen, both the countries need to have constructive engagement, resolve concerns between them, and have a relationship premised on mutual respect and common interest.
