India faces ’biggest challenge’ with Bangladesh since 1971

Bangladesh-India relations have hit rock bottom after the student uprising of 24.

A parliamentary committee led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has considered the current situation in Bangladesh as the 'biggest strategic challenge' for India since the 1971 liberation war. They said that India needs to be very vigilant to handle this situation. The committee has submitted several recommendations to the Indian government in this regard, according to the country's media NDTV.

According to the committee, the 'rise of Islamic extremism', 'the increasing influence of China and Pakistan' and 'the decline of the dominance of Sheikh Hasina's party Awami League' are responsible for the 'current instability' in Bangladesh. The report gives a message to the Modi government to understand the depth of the situation, saying, 'The challenge of 1971 was existential, a humanitarian crisis and the birth of a new state. But the current challenge is deeper and more serious. This suggests generational alienation, a transformation of the political system and a possible strategic realignment on the part of India.’

The report warns, ‘If India fails to recalibrate its strategy at this juncture, it risks losing its strategic position in Dhaka not through war but through irrelevance.’

The committee expressed deep concern over the restructuring of Bangladesh’s relations with Pakistan and the growing presence of China. It is particularly concerned about Bangladesh’s relations with these two countries in the areas of infrastructure, port development and defence cooperation.

In this context, the expansion of Mongla port, Lalmonirhat airbase and the submarine base at Pekua were mentioned. While Bangladesh currently has two Chinese-made submarines, the Pekua base can accommodate a maximum of eight submarines.

Regarding the active participation of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladeshi politics, the committee said, ‘China is increasing its contacts with all parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami. The Islamist party has even visited China. The electoral registration of the previously banned Jamaat-e-Islami has been restored, allowing the party to participate in the upcoming elections.

The committee recommended that the Indian government should strictly monitor the establishment of military bases in Bangladesh by any foreign power. It also conveyed the message of providing comparative advantage in development, connectivity and port use to normalize the troubled bilateral relations with Bangladesh.

The interim government has banned the leaders and activists of the Awami League and all its affiliates, affiliates and sister organizations from all their activities until the trial of the leaders and activists of the International Crimes Tribunal is completed. As a result, the party is unable to participate in the upcoming elections. The Shashi Tharoor-led committee also commented that this decision will raise questions about how ‘inclusive’ Bangladesh’s future elections will be.