NEW DELHI – The “golden era” of India-Bangladesh ties may have just ended with the sudden ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a reliable partner of New Delhi on the sub-continent.
Ms Hasina, who was Bangladesh’s longest serving prime minister, in power for 15 years, resigned and fled the country on Aug 5 following a student-led uprising that began in July as protests against government job quotas but swelled into a massive movement demanding her resignation.
The 76-year-old leader was considered a longstanding friend of India, with both sides highlighting the bilateral relationship during her time as the golden era in ties.
Analysts in India and Bangladesh noted that the dynamics of the relationship between the two countries would now change under a new government.
India, some analysts noted, needed some deft diplomacy not just to reach out to Ms Hasina’s opponents, but also to sway public opinion in Bangladesh amid the other overarching concerns within India that a new dispensation could foster closer ties with China and Pakistan.
Efforts are ongoing in Bangladesh to form an interim government, with the country’s media reporting that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus would be its special adviser.
“There will be an initial phase of uncertainty and instability (in Bangladesh), but what I believe is that Bangladesh, especially its younger generation, wants to engage with India because it sees dividends of working with India,” said Professor Sreeradha Datta of the Jindal School of International Affairs and non-resident senior fellow with the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.
She noted, however: “The contours may be different, like with Sheikh Hasina who was very closely aligned with India.”
The fast-paced developments in Dhaka appear to have blindsided India.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament Ms Hasina had requested approval to come to India at “very short notice”, with a request for flight clearance simultaneously made by the Bangladesh authorities on Aug 5.
The weeks of protests, in which over 280 people were killed, tapped into existing disenchantment with Ms Hasina, who had celebrated a fourth straight term in power – and fifth overall – by sweeping a national election in January, amid a clampdown on opponents and allegations of election rigging.
She first became prime minister in 1996, and then returned in 2009 to win the office, which she held until she was flown by military helicopter with her sister to take refuge in India.
Ms Hasina landed on the evening of Aug 5 in New Delhi and met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66b2a1d6999140c2ad3bc75240b59fb8&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.straitstimes.com%2Fasia%2Fsouth-asia%2Findia-bangladesh-ties-headed-for-reset-following-hasina-s-ouster-and-escape-to-india&c=2117580004097732579&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-08-06 10:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.