Specific view on International Secretary’s Bangladesh go to: Reaching out to Dhaka

The assertion by the Ministry of Exterior Affairs after International Secretary Vikram Misri’s go to to Bangladesh this week said that “individuals are the principle stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and famous that India’s growth cooperation and engagements with Bangladesh… are geared in direction of the advantage of the folks of Bangladesh.” This outreach is each welcome and obligatory. Whereas Misri reportedly did convey up Delhi’s considerations over minority rights to the pinnacle of Bangladesh’s Interim Authorities Muhammad Yunus, the broader tone of the go to appeared directed in direction of “politics proofing” bilateral ties. The connection won’t, nonetheless recuperate in a single day. That may require affected person diplomatic engagement primarily based on realpolitik.

During the last decade, Delhi and Dhaka have constructed a relationship that’s arguably India’s most profitable in its instant neighbourhood. Large features have been made in resolving legacy border points, connectivity initiatives and investments, each private and non-private. These strides, although, had been accompanied by the notion that Delhi was near a selected dispensation in Dhaka. Within the aftermath of the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, forces inimical to India fuelled this sentiment. The International Secretary has completed nicely to emphasize that the ties between the 2 nations are supposed to serve the pursuits of the folks, not ideologies. The assaults on minorities and diplomatic establishments just like the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka are unlucky and name for robust condemnation. Viewing the violence by way of a communal-religious lens alone, although, does extra hurt than good. Bangladesh civil society has been profitable in marginalising its hardliners — the conflation of identification and notions of nationwide loyalty is at all times fraught.

Delhi’s goals should be two-fold: First, insulate the connection from identification politics on either side of the border. Second, to revive the goodwill amongst folks and make sure that initiatives are vital for each nations and the area at giant — the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Financial Cooperation. Secretary Misri’s go to, then, is each a brand new starting and an opportunity to take care of continuity. New Delhi might want to manoeuvre across the politics of whichever dispensation involves energy as soon as elections are performed in Bangladesh. It ought to stay dedicated to a free and honest, democratic strategy of illustration. On the similar time, it additionally must let Sheikh Hasina know that whereas she actually has a house in India in exile, the way forward for Delhi-Dhaka relations goes past her grievances or the political imperatives of the Awami League.