Bangladesh has not taken lightly the fact that Sheikh Hasina was given the opportunity to deliver a political speech and press conference at Delhi's Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC). Where previously a commitment was given that Indian soil would not be allowed to be used for any anti-Bangladesh political activities, such an arrangement is clearly another name for double-faced behavior. Although Dhaka has long expected diplomatic etiquette and mutual respect from Delhi, India's role centered on Sheikh Hasina has become a major diplomatic boomerang for India itself. Delhi may have hoped to manage the situation as usual through a routine press release, but the 'hard message' from Dhaka has completely changed that equation.
In the emergency meeting between the Indian High Commissioner and the Prime Minister, Bangladesh's side presented the conditions and complications of the bilateral relationship in very clear language. The messages placed before India from Dhaka's side essentially reflect the long-accumulated anger and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh:
-
Ending the political space for crimes against humanity perpetrators and their return: Giving Sheikh Hasina, accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, an opportunity for political activities is tantamount to extreme disrespect for the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. The Indian side could not provide any acceptable explanation as to how such a press conference was organized while disregarding the earlier commitment. At the same time, the demand for the swift handing over of Sheikh Hasina to the Bangladesh government under the 2013 bilateral prisoner exchange agreement is now very strong.
More to Read
Preventing subversive activities from Indian soil: Delhi must take visible and effective steps to ensure that the Awami League cannot carry out any political conspiracy or subversive activities using Indian territory.
Ending border killings and push-ins: Killings of Bangladeshi citizens at the border and illegal push-ins must be completely and permanently stopped.
Renewal of the Ganges water agreement: To resolve the long-unresolved water-sharing problem, especially regarding the renewal of the Ganges water agreement, it is urgent that India's position and attitude be clarified quickly.
Bringing the accused to justice: The transferred 'murderer' accused in the Shaheed Osman Hadi case must be handed over to Bangladesh without delay.
As long as the Modi government does not clarify its position and take practical steps on these fundamental and sensitive issues, it will be difficult to create a favorable environment for the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. Not only that, if this impasse is not broken, the upcoming India visit of Honorable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may also face uncertainty—which would be a major diplomatic blow for Delhi.
From eyewitness accounts and the subsequent situation, it is clear that Dhaka's firm and unequivocal stance has created significant unrest in New Delhi's diplomatic camp. The picture of the High Commissioner hastily returning to New Delhi after receiving the messages proves that Bangladesh is no longer a passive neighbor as before. Bilateral relations survive on the basis of mutual interests, respect, and public aspirations. If Delhi truly wants to maintain a stable and long-term strategic relationship with Bangladesh, it must come out of the mindset of routine press releases and ensure prompt and practical solutions to the demands raised by Dhaka.