Md. Nurul Haque

The unprecedented rebirths of a tiny nation like a phoenix from the ashes burnt by the Promethean fire of the giant imperialists like the British with their blood-sucking motto in the pretext of business and the marauding Pakistanis with the pretension of establishing an Islamic state and, finally, Indians who came as wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. The quick-fire dethrone of the longest-serving autocrat and ironfisted lady in South Asia has reassured the indomitable power of the Bengalis, who never bow down their heads to any imperialists or colonists.

The arrogant British and the cruel Pakistanis have met their demise with their defeat and departure, and their reappearance will never bother Bangladeshis, as the dethroning of Sheikh Hasina will recurrently penetrate Indian ghost into Bangladesh's territory, cultural purity, and geopolitics for being encircled and engulfed by the mighty presence of sharing the longest border. The falling and fleeing of Sheikh Hasina and her political asylum in India have clarified the mysteries of long-lasting dictatorship.

Many intellectual debates about the physical presence of Indians in the holy land of Bangladesh with its mighty marauding armies like Kasmir is a downright rumor as long as the heads of the states can be selected and critical state affairs can be interfered with. Sheikh Hasina was the replica of Kazi Lhendup Dorjee, who played the same role and finally annexed Sikkim to the undivided India. But this time, India wanted to make Bangladesh a satellite state with its cultural invasion, religious installation, and political manipulation in the name of assistance and cooperation.

With its significant economic contributions and strategic location, Bangladesh has emerged as a crucial partner for India. It not only serves as a major market for Indian goods but also acts as a gateway to India's northeastern states, thereby playing a pivotal role in regional affairs. This mutual dependence underscores the importance of the diplomatic ties between the two nations, which are not just about power dynamics but also mutual benefits and growth.

Indeed, the sudden collapse of Hasina’s administration presents a legitimate concern for India. As a neighboring state and a regional power, India wields considerable influence over Bangladesh. Throughout Hasina’s unyielding 16-year tenure, it served as a steadfast supporter of the Awami League. India's involvement in the elections of 2014, 2018, and even 2024 is noteworthy, particularly in its management of international relations, especially with the United States, which facilitated Hasina in conducting a largely unilateral electoral process. The involvement of India faced significant criticism and catalyzed the proliferation of anti-Indian sentiments in Bangladesh. These concerns are valid and need to be addressed in the context of the future relationship between the two nations.

Several inquiries have emerged following the student-led mass uprising, focusing on India's underlying motives. The Indian press and authorities aim to depict this event communally. Some Indian influencers and media organizations disseminated a collection of deceptive information. The news reports suggest that there has been a coordinated assault on Hindu minorities and temples, purportedly orchestrated by Islamist factions. During an interview with Al Jazeera, Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, a prominent figure within the Hindu community in Bangladesh, asserted that, to the best of his knowledge, no Hindu households lacking affiliations with the Awami League had been subjected to attacks. “To the best of my knowledge as a leader of the Hindu community, I can assert that political motives rather than communal ones drove these attacks,” he also stated. “Throughout the nation, there were tenfold more assaults on Muslim households associated with the Awami League.”

“Neighbors first” is well-pronounced in Indian foreign policy, but its implementation reverses. On August 16, 2024, foreign policy scholar Ajaya Bhadra Khanal wrote a post in Nepal's Kathmandu Post headlined India's foreign policy mismatch, explaining Indian foreign policy. In The India Way, the Indian external minister of foreign affairs, S Jaishankar, emphasizes pragmatic international policy over morality. According to this theory, India should focus on its goal rather than the popular government.

The same foreign policy philosophy was implemented in Bangladesh throughout the last 17 years after Hasina's ascension to the throne of power. However, the already pent-up agony and anger of the country's rights-conscious people helped the quick-fire success of the mass rising and foiled Indian foreign policy. The selection of Professor Yunus, Nobel laureate and worldwide recognized personality, brought Indian foreign policy to the graveyard. The visit of American delegates and their vow to assist Bangladesh in bringing out administrative reform and financial regain was also the last nail to the coffin of Indian foreign policy.

India’s policy of putting all eggs- in -one basket, ignoring the public interest of Bangladesh, was a landslide failure. Indian foreign policy with other neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Maldives also backfired.

Bangladesh's foreign policy friendship with all but marriage to none was utterly violated by the fascist fallen regime, and her asylum in India proves that legacy. India’s poking nose into all affairs of neighboring countries makes it more unpopular and intolerable. Instead, it is under pressure as many of the states of India, like West Bengal, Nagaland, and Manipur, are revolting to gain independence.

The lightning-fast removal of Hasina has highlighted India's decade-long dependency on her leadership despite her boosting autocracy and declining widespread acceptance. The diplomatic relationship between India and America has been growing increasingly complicated. The Biden administration regards India as a vital ally in taking on China. However, perceptions within South Asian countries depict India, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a meddlesome and assertively nationalist force. In the recent elections in the Maldives, President Mohamed Muizzu secured victory through the India Out campaign. India has encountered a tense relationship with Sri Lanka and Nepal. The Indian foreign policy has consequently yielded adverse outcomes in each neighboring country, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Consequently, India must coordinate with neighboring democratic entities to position itself as a regional power.

The writer is an assistant professor of English at IUBAT and a PhD candidate at UPM.