Staff Reporter :
India was aware of the growing anti-Sheikh Hasina sentiment in Bangladesh prior to the violent overthrow of her government on 5 August 2024, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Consultative Committee on External Affairs on Saturday.
However, he explained that India was unable to intervene due to a lack of significant leverage over Hasina, who could only be “advised.”
India is considering Bangladesh’s request for a meeting between its interim government’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed a Parliamentary panel on Saturday that the request is “under consideration.”
He referenced recent comments by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk, who warned the Bangladesh Army against using force on unarmed protesters during the anti-Hasina demonstrations.
Turk suggested that such actions could lead to a U.N. ban on Bangladesh’s participation in peacekeeping operations.
During a meeting, which focused on India’s foreign policy, discussions largely centred on neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Tensions in India-Bangladesh Relations
Since the establishment of the interim government in Bangladesh, tensions have emerged in India-Bangladesh relations, especially after India granted asylum to Ms Hasina. Despite these tensions, diplomatic engagement continues, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visiting Bangladesh in December 2024.
While the Ministry of External Affairs remains silent on the possibility of a formal meeting, there is speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may meet Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok from 2-4 April.
Meanwhile, Professor Yunus has been strengthening ties with China, with both nations expected to sign multiple agreements during his upcoming visit. These agreements include enhancing aviation links to improve connectivity between Dhaka, Chittagong, and key Chinese cities.
Jaishankar also highlighted the role of “external actors” in Bangladesh, describing China not as an “adversary” but as a “competitor” in the region.
Possibility of Reviving SAARC
The discussion also touched upon the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has remained inactive since November 2014. The 19th SAARC summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in 2016, was cancelled after the Uri terrorist attack prompted India to withdraw.
While India has shifted its focus to the BIMSTEC framework since then, Mr Jaishankar indicated that “SAARC is not off the table,” suggesting the regional body may be revived in the future.
MPs also raised concerns over China’s increasing influence in India’s immediate neighbourhood-specifically in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal-and sought clarification on India’s strategy to counter China’s growing presence over the next decade.
