On 9th of December, 2024 Vikram Misri, India’s Foreign Secretary met with Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser in Dhaka, Bangladesh. After Hasina resignation in August 5th, 2024, the situation in Bangladesh has became unstable, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 after the resignation fleeted to India amid of Student led protest.
While there are multiple allegations regrading the attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and multiple vandalism including in Bangladeshi diplomatic mission in India. Where India is concerned over the safety and welfare of minorities in Bangladesh, but Bangladesh officials demand for extradition of Sheikh Hasina, where is accused of serious of crimes during her tenure, including alleged involvements in the death during the July uprising. What did Yunus and Misri agree in meetings and how will Hasina resignation affect India-Bangladesh relations?
Relationship During Hasina Period:
Before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation in August 2024, India and Bangladesh maintained a robust and mutual benefits including political cooperation in regional security where Hasina government played important role in assisting India with security concerns, specially in India’s northeastern states and had diplomatic engagements were two nations engaged in high-level dialogues, addressing bilateral issues and regional challenges. Further they strengthen the economic ties through trade relations where India was Bangladesh largest trading partner with exporting cotton, machinery, and food products. Then India invested in various infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, including energy and transportation initiatives, fostering economic interdependence.
Both countries actively participated in regional organization like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), working together in tackling issues such as climate change, trade, and regional security. Further both countries have people-to-people connection where they have shared linguistic and cultural ties and educational collaboration were numerous educational exchange and collaborations, with students and professional moving between two countries for academic skill development opportunities.
Relationship Post-Hasina Resignation:
The interim government in Bangladesh under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus have accused India of interfering in Bangladesh internally affairs and falsely separating propaganda and fostering hatred toward Bangladesh further demand extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India. Additionally, an inquiry commission was formed by the interim government regrading India’s involvement in incidents of “enforced disappearances” during the deposed of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Commission found intelligence information about the practice of captive exchanges between India and Bangladesh and the possible subsequent fate of detainees. These allegations have escalated tensions between both countries as this pose a threat to India north east where is hard for resurgence strike during unstable government in region.
Hindu Minorites and ISCKON head arrest:
In recent months, the interim government Bangladesh has arrested many Hindu leaders including Krishna Das Prabhu and Chinmoy Krishna Das, both affiliated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). These arrests on eyebrowed Indian officials and underscore the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, where report indicate a rise in attack against Hindu since Hasina resignation in August 2024. The interim government’s response to these incidents has been a subject of international scrutiny, while the international community continues to monitor developments closely, advocating for the fair treatment of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
The Krishna Das Prabhu, a prominent Hindu leader, was arrested in November 2024 for leading rallies demanding better security for Hindus in Bangladesh. While the court in Dhaka denied him bail, citing concerns that his release could incite unrest. Further Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested in November 2024 at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on charges linked in sedition case filed in Chattogram.
In conclusion, at the meeting both Vikram Misri and Muhammad Yunus acknowledged the need to resolve outstanding issues and expressed for stronger, mutually beneficial partnership moving forward, while Misri emphasized on India’s expectation of a constructive approach from Bangladesh while addressing these concerns. Further he stated
“We discussed recent developments and I conveyed our concerns including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities… We also discussed regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural and religious properties… I also emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. I have underlined today India’s desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh Authority Misri told the media,”
