China will benefit from the deterioration of India-Bangladesh relations after the fall of Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina left the country on August 5 after resigning from the post of Prime Minister in the face of mass movement of students.It is believed that the fall of the Awami League government may be the beginning of the deterioration of India-Bangladesh relations.At the same time China’s influence with Bangladesh may increase.The Voice of America highlighted these facts in a report on Sunday.
India’s Akuntha has received strong support during the last 15 years of Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Delhi considers Awami League as the best option for India’s national interests. India was on the side of Awami League in the last three controversial elections of Bangladesh. But the ruling Hasina fell through the quota reform movement.In such a situation, China can increase its sphere of influence in Bangladesh.
“This is a serious challenge for India,” said Harsh Pant, vice president of studies at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. For more than 15 years Bangladesh had an Awami League government, which was largely sympathetic to Indian interests. So it is unsettling to see political uncertainty after years of stability. India will be concerned about China’s big role in Bangladesh.
In the past regime, Sheikh Hasina had to maintain relations with China for the sake of development.At the same time Awami League maintains strong relations with India.Harsh Pant fears that BNP has been more inclined towards China in the past.So this time too Indian interests may be neglected.
Pant also said, “Sheikh Hasina balanced Chinese and Indian interests quite effectively from New Delhi’s point of view.”On the other hand, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was seen as a pro-China party when it was in power in the past.
Just as the Awami League government maintained the foundation of relations with the Indian Congress and the BJP, Delhi also has to work with the changing government in Dhaka, said Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Fellow Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya. India has worked with BNP before. He also said about changing India’s policy on Bangladesh.
Dr. Debapriya said, ‘India has to reflect on its old policy with the people of Bangladesh. But now is the time to rebuild the relationship on a new basis. Bangladesh has learned to live with changing governments in Delhi. India also has to do the same.
Meanwhile, if the Awami League is not in power in Bangladesh, the eastern states of India will not be safe, said Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajib Wazed Joy.For this reason, he also called on the Modi government to put pressure on Bangladesh.
Joy told The Times of India, “If the Awami League is not in power, India’s eastern border will not be secure.” BNP and Jamaat alliance may not be good for India. Because Jamaat will not refrain from militancy.
