Bangladesh-India relations are historical and multi-dimensional. Again, the relationship between these two close neighbors is very sensitive. As a result, it is very important for the peace, security and stability of South Asia that the relations between the two countries move in a positive direction based on balance, fairness and equality.
In particular, in the context of the Rohingya crisis in Northeast India and neighboring Chattogram Hill Tracts and Southeast Bangladesh and the ongoing armed civil war in Myanmar, both countries would do well to proceed with utmost caution in the development of mutual relations. But despite the good intentions of both countries, there are multifaceted conspiracies to destroy this relationship. For this reason, it is necessary for both the countries to be vigilant and move the Bangladesh-India relationship forward to a positive destination.
On the occasion of the one month anniversary of the formation of the interim government on Wednesday (September 11) at 7:30 pm the Chief Adviser to the nation the issue of Bangladesh-India relations gained importance in the speech of Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In the speech, Dr. Yunus said that he wants good relations with neighboring countries including India. He said, however, that relationship should be based on fairness and equality. We have already started high-level bilateral cooperation talks with India on flood control. I have taken the initiative to revive the SAARC group of states with a view to enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia. He said that Bangladesh should be known with respect to the world as a democratic country. The planning of the country should be centered on the people of the country, not on any leader or party.
Pranoy Verma, the Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, has said that he will work to advance Indo- Bangladesh relation to a positive direction. The new foreign secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the courtesy meeting with Jasimuddin, he further told the reporters, 'I have said earlier that we are working closely with the government of Bangladesh to achieve the aspirations of peace, security and development applicable to both countries. We will continue to work to advance the relationship in various areas.
The Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of West Bengal congratulated the new government soon after the change of power in Bangladesh. Both the countries hoped that the historical and close relations between Bangladesh and India will continue intact. But these hopes will be successful only when various conspiracies to destroy the relationship between the two countries can be suppressed and it will be possible to avoid hot-headedness from the highest level.
It is important to mention that in the complex geopolitics of South Asia, there is a tendency for relations to deteriorate as well as for improving relations. There are multifaceted conspiracies that work openly and covertly to disturb the relations of different countries. Governments need to be very careful and vigilant about this.
For example, the behavior of the Indian media can be mentioned. When the student movement took place in Bangladesh, there were many doubts about their campaign. In particular, when student mobs, and even madrasa students, guarding Hindu homes and temples were showing success in confronting miscreants, inflammatory campaigns were noticed in the Indian media. Inciting unrest without standing for peace made the Indian media questionable and untrustworthy at the time.
Disappointingly, the old and professional press has also been seen to tune in with the third-rate propaganda-based low-level media. After that complex situation, such news is still being published in various media in India, which is not only offensive but harmful to the relationship. For example, the video reports of newspapers like India Today are saying that the new government is a threat to India, Bangladesh has become Pakistan 2.0 under the new government. Even, the interview of some alleged 'Bangladeshi militants' is spreading tension. It is hard to believe that the Government of India does not see this. If such anti-Bangladesh propaganda increases on Indian soil and in Indian media, India's goodwill towards developing relations with Bangladesh will be highly disputed and eventually the relations will suffer, which is neither desirable nor beneficial for any country.
From India's point of view, the reality must be kept in mind that there is an anti-India political current in Bangladesh since long ago. Moreover, the previous Hasina government is generally perceived as pro-India. And now Hasina is under the shelter of India. As a result, if anti-Bangladesh incitement is made on Indian soil or in the media, the reaction in the public mind of Bangladesh will be severe, which will further increase the level of anti-India.
Hot comments from higher ups also often damage relationships and cause adverse reactions. As has happened recently. Adviser to BNP Chairperson and former Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farooq said that India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh should apologize, but you are a minister but I am also a citizen of independent Bangladesh. You should apologize for the statement you made. People of Bangladesh have a big heart. They know how to forgive. So no one will accept that do not make a statement about Bangladesh.
He said this at a protest rally organized by the 12-party alliance in front of the National Press Club in the capital in the first week of September against India's aggressive statements threatening the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. Moreover, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi commented that India is not working for Bangladesh's democracy but to return Sheikh Hasina's 'zamidari'.
Needless to say, unnecessary controversies and provocative political statements or false propaganda by anyone or the media will destabilize the situation. Those will be boomerang and India will face opposition. Opponents of India will get tools for criticism and opposition. Attempting to destroy relationships instead of improving them, or handing over weapons of opposition, is not a sign of any prudence. Rather, these are conspiracies to destroy Bangladesh-India relations. Therefore, aware people, objective media and government of both countries need to be alert about anti-Bangladesh incitement and lies in the Indian soil or in the media and strive to advance Bangladesh-India relations on the basis of balance, fairness and equality by countering various conspiracies.
Dr. Mahfuz Parvez: Associate Editor, Barta24.com; Professor and Chairman, Department of Political Science, Chattogram University and Executive Director, Chattogram Center for Regional Studies, Bangladesh (CCRSBD).