Tarique’s visit: India’s turn to respond

The ball is now in India’s court to improve strained ties with Bangladesh, and New Delhi needs to address Dhaka’s concerns and respond to the growing public sentiment, foreign policy analysts say.

They said the two neighbours cannot afford to keep relations strained for long, but meaningful progress will require India to take concrete steps on issues that have fuelled resentment in Bangladesh, particularly deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s political activities from India.

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Their comments came after the foreign ministry on Sunday said Dhaka and New Delhi had been discussing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to India, but the process was complicated by the media appearance of Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The ministry spoke of creating a “propitious environment” before the visit while requesting India to expedite the extradition of Hasina and other fugitives, including those accused of killing Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

“We reiterate that we will continue to pursue our ‘Bangladesh First’ policy to promote friendly bilateral relations with other countries, including our neighbours, on the basis of sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and mutual benefit,” said AKM Shahidul Karim, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, at a media briefing.

Dhaka wants India to prevent Awami League leaders from conducting political activities from its territory, while the extradition would have to be done through the existing legal process.

Prof Lailufar Yasmin of Dhaka University

The statement came amid reports that Tarique could visit India later this month after deciding not to attend the BRICS summit on September 12-13.

A possible visit had gained momentum after Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Tarique, flew to Delhi, and held a one-on-one meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Foreign policy analysts say a bilateral visit could help ease strains in relations since the Awami League government’s ouster on August 5, 2024.

Prof Lailufar Yasmin, of Dhaka University’s international relations department, told The Daily Star that the United Nations has documented that around 1,400 people were killed during the July uprising and that Hasina was later convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal.

She questioned why India failed to understand the strong sentiment in Bangladesh against Hasina and allowed her to talk to the media.

“Does India want to use Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders for political purposes? Is a party bigger than Bangladesh?” she asked.

She said Dhaka wants India to prevent AL leaders from conducting political activities from its territory, while the extradition would have to be done through the existing legal process. “Therefore, the ball is now in India’s court.”

She said other engagements between the two countries would continue even if the prime ministerial visit was delayed, but political-level engagement was essential to take the relationship to the next level.

India continues to supply diesel to Bangladesh and bilateral trade remains strong, she noted. But “the barricade now is political”.

Prof Yasmin added that the government would find it difficult, under the present circumstances, to make a prime ministerial visit to India acceptable to its people.

Prof Shahab Enam Khan of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University said the foreign ministry’s statement was important in clearly setting out Dhaka’s position. He pointed to border killings, push-ins, and the unresolved Teesta water-sharing issue as matters that have created a strong negative impression in Bangladesh.

The BNP government has assumed office with a huge mandate; people are now having a lot of scrutiny over the activities of the government, and India has to realise that and act on the deliverables, said Prof Shahab.

He hoped the bilateral visit would eventually take place but said India would need to make political moves to create the necessary environment.

South Asian affairs researcher Altaf Parvez, however, said the foreign ministry briefing did not suggest that Tarique would not visit India.

“It is being said that there is a wound in the relationship and a favourable environment must be created; India has a responsibility in that regard.”

He argued that diplomatic engagement becomes even more important when relations are difficult, citing China-India ties as an example of countries maintaining extensive engagements despite serious disputes.

Bangladesh, he said, also has strong reasons to improve ties with India, particularly over energy and water-sharing issues.

“We have a treaty with America, projects with China, and 50 rivers and 4000km of border with India. You cannot exclude any of them; it wouldn’t be wise,” he said, adding, “The only way to untie the geopolitical knot is to show a willingness for dialogue with everyone.”