Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, relations between India and Bangladesh are going through new tests every day. After the interim government of Mohammadu Yunus, there was hope of something better with Tariq Rehman coming to power, but now this too has been dashed. The anti-India wave is getting continuous support in Dhaka. Ignoring New Delhi's concerns has become common. Pakistan and Turkey are being given more preference than Delhi.
On the other hand, India has shown patience towards Bangladesh for the last two years. Kept avoiding touching issues that increase tension. Whereas Bangladesh made India uncomfortable by mentioning the Northeast and the Bay of Bengal. It was expected that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman would come to New Delhi this month. The presidency had also sent an email to the media related to the event, but it was later withdrawn.
Why is Tariq Rehman ignoring India?
When Tariq Rahman became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in the month of February, India first invited him to visit New Delhi. But he made his first state visit to Malaysia. After this traveled to China. Five months later, India invited Tariq Rehman for the second time. Request was made to participate in this BRICS conference. By ignoring both the invitations, Tariq Rahman has perhaps made it clear that Bangladesh has no interest in maintaining the same relations with India as before. Now the question is how long will India show patience. Has the time come to answer Bangladesh in its own language? What problems will arise if this is not done?
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Bangladesh argues that there is no environment for travel right now. Sheikh Hasina's press conference has spoiled the atmosphere. New Delhi will have to create an environment of trust-building and dialogue. Bangladesh's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir has even said that the Prime Minister is in no hurry to go to India. The question is that on one hand Bangladesh is saying that an environment for dialogue has to be created. On the other hand, it is promoting anti-India rhetoric.
Pakistan's interference will increase India's tension
Whenever BNP government came to power in Bangladesh, its relations with India were not good. Pakistan and fundamentalists had a lot of influence in Dhaka during the BNP government. Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI had created terrorist launch pads in Bangladesh. It is clear from the stance of Tariq Rehman's government that India needs to be cautious. After the departure of Sheikh Hasina, there has been a flood of anti-India elements and fundamentalists in Bangladesh. With their help ISI can spread unrest in the North-East. If this happens, India will face a big security challenge on the eastern front.
Mentioning Rafale, does Bangladesh not care about India?
Information and Broadcasting Advisor to Tariq Rahman, Zahid Ur Rahman said on Tuesday that Bangladesh is considering purchasing J-10CE fighter jet made in China. The context he gave behind this deal speaks volumes. He said that J-10CE showed excellent performance in the recent India-Pakistan conflict. He shot down an Indian Rafale. The thing to note is that there is no fact in the public domain to confirm this claim. Deliberately mentioning India's Rafale in the press conference shows that the top leadership of Bangladesh does not care about the sentiments of New Delhi.
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Why is Türkiye showing interest in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh Minister Humayun Kabir has recently expressed his desire to join the Mecca Agreement twice in his statements. If Bangladesh joins the Mecca Agreement, it will be clear that it has chosen to associate itself with Türkiye and Pakistan instead of India. What was Türkiye's role in Operation Sindoor last year? This is well known.
Türkiye's entire focus is to surround India. Turkey has started increasing its presence in Pakistan and Bangladesh in response to India's strategic encirclement in Armenia, Greece and Cyprus. He is helping Bangladesh modernize its army. Engaged in supplying cannons, tanks and drones. It has also been agreed upon to increase production of weapons in the coming years. Türkiye's aim is to interfere in the Northeast, Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal with the help of Dhaka.
need to draw clear lines
The Indian government has so far shown patience in the matter of Bangladesh. Tried to save and maintain relationships. Whereas Dhaka is growing closer to anti-India forces China, Pakistan and Türkiye. In such a situation, India needs to draw a clear line. Recently Israel attacked a Syrian airbase. After this he said in clear words that he will not tolerate Turkish interference that harms Israel's interests.
The Indian government also needs to tell Dhaka that if it touches or tries to challenge New Delhi's security issues, it will be considered a red line. This is also important so that Dhaka knows what to touch and what not to touch in the context of India.