Indo-Bangla relations: Tensions between India and Bangladesh are increasing
India says that Dr. Yunus has been using anti-India propaganda as a shield to hide the failures of his government.
Indo-Bangla relations: Tensions between India and Bangladesh are increasing instead of decreasing. On Monday, the Bangladesh government rejected the Indian explanation that the protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Sunday was based on 25-30 people and that neither the High Commission suffered any damage nor its staff were disturbed. Calling the Indian side ‘wrong’, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor (Interim Foreign Minister) Towhid Hossain threatened that if India’s stance did not improve, Bangladesh would start taking steps like downgrading diplomatic relations with India. He also said that India has been alleging that its High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, has been receiving death threats, but no evidence has been provided in this regard so far.
On the other hand, instead of making any comments in this regard, Pranay Verma thought it better to inspect the Indian Visa Centre in Dhaka on Monday and meet the medical visa aspirants. He told the media on this occasion that apart from Dhaka, Indian Visa Centres in Khulna, Rajashahi, and Sylhet are also functioning as usual, while the Visa Centre in Chittagong (new name: Chittagong) is still closed due to stone pelting on Friday. According to the High Commissioner, the Visa Centres are giving medical visas to Bangladeshi nationals ona priority basis, and the normal routine is being followed for tourist or business visas. Although the purpose of the exercise with Mr. Verma was to instill a sense of confidence among the staff of the visa centres in the wake of the Chittagong attack, some Bangladeshi circles described it as a symbol of ‘Indian arrogance’ and claimed that Prannoy Verma tried to show that “he does not care about threats and is more benevolent towards the common people than the Bangladesh government.” Such influence or propaganda is becoming the reason for misunderstandings and deterioration in Bangladesh-India relations.
There is no dearth of serious elements in Bangladesh or India to bring these relations back on track. It is strange that in the international arena, such elements are not being given an opportunity to speak their minds, nor is a major section of the electronic and print media ready to listen to such things. This sad situation was mentioned by the Bangladeshi English newspaper ‘Daily Star’ in its editorial on Monday. According to this editorial, just as the interim government of Bangladesh has “kneeled before mob rule, similarly the Indian media and rulers have been reluctant to raise their heads before mob rhetoric and thinking. Such tendencies must be stopped.”
The head of the interim government of Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has often accused India of misusing every small or big attack on the Hindu community to propagate that the Hindu community is not safe in Bangladesh. Such propaganda is the main reason for the bilateral decline.
On the other hand, India says that Dr. Yunus has been using anti-India propaganda as a shield to hide the failures of his government. He should give up this tendency and focus on improving the situation in Bangladesh. Amidst such accusations, it is clear that while the Indian government should reduce its interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh government should also take into account Indian sensitivities. This newspaper had suggested to the rulers of both countries two days ago to exercise restraint and tolerance. This suggestion is as important now as ever. The grievances that the Modi government has against the interim government of Bangladesh can be discussed with that government in a low tone. Similarly, the Bangladesh government should be strict with the anti-India mobs. The effort should be to ensure that the general elections in Bangladesh on February 12th are held without any hindrance. This is not only good for Bangladesh, but also good for India.