Diplomatic Correspondent

Following the outcome of India-US fifth 2+2 meeting, Indian diplomats urged Washington to reformulate its policy on Bangladesh.

The US has taken a strong position on Bangladesh's upcoming general election and imposed visa restrictions on individuals if they are found involved in malpractices in the election process.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jayshankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Sing with their counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin made clear India's viewpoint on Bangladesh during the 2+2 meeting held on Friday,

They told the US delegation that India does not believe in interfering in other country's domestic policy and respects the due process of election according to their constitution.

Following the development, two former High Commissioners have opined that the US should not interfere in the internal affairs of Bangladesh.

Former Indian Deputy National Security Advisor and High Commissioner to Bangladesh said that keeping the geopolitics in the region, US should not ignore India's viewpoint.

Mr vSaran believes that US may make amends to the Bangladesh interference policy.

He also said presently India and US enjoy one of the best strategic relations and as a partner of QUAD they should take cognizance of New Delhi's view on South Asia.

He said," Bangladesh election will be held under the provisions of their constitution and no outside country can give advice to change the constitutional provisions."

"According to their constitution, an election is to be held under a caretaker government who is in power. There is no scope for resigning the elected government and forming an unelected caretaker government. The concept is against the ethos of democratic principle."

He added that the election process as described in the constitution should be followed by every political party. There is no place for violence. India wants elections should be held in a free and fair manner and the people should have the right to decide their fate.

Another seasoned diplomat and former High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty thinks that US should change its policy towards Bangladesh. No coercive action from either inside the country or outside should decide the norms of the democratic process.

Both senior diplomats feel that the formation of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation has an evolutionary history. Every nation should respect that.

Chakravarty also said “We know that US has a strong bond with the BNP as they had a cordial relation with the founder of BNP by military dictator General Ziur Rahaman. It is expected that they will have some soft corners for BNP.

They also want derecognised Jamaat-e-Islami should be allowed in the political space so that they can participate in the election. But it is the sole prerogative of the sovereign Election Commission to decide. In the end both the diplomats are hopeful that US may change the policy on Bangladesh to allow the democratic process to go on as scheduled."