Emerging Challenges for India after the Bangladesh Elections

Source: This post on Emerging Challenges for India after the Bangladesh Elections has been created based on the article “A Bangladesh ‘one-party state’ and India’s options” published in “The Hindu” on 12^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood- relations.

News: The article discusses the emerging challenges for India in the wake of the recent Bangladesh Elections. It highlights the allegations against the Awami League government and suggests a way forward for India.

Background:

Ms. Sheikh Hasina (Awami League) recently came back in power in Bangladesh for a record 5th time (4th in a row). However, concerns were raised about the lack of participation of the principal opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party-Jamaat-e-Islami coalition.

What are the positive outcomes for India?

1. Continuity in Bilateral Relations: There will be continuity in the excellent bilateral relationship with Bangladesh, addressing India’s security and connectivity concerns.
2. Power Purchase Agreement: Power purchase agreement has been recently signed by the Hasina government.

What are the allegations against the Awami League?

1. Election Irregularities: Large-scale false voting (such as the use of under-age children voting by turn several times) has been reported. This signals a firm step towards a one-party police state.
2. Allegations of Corruption: Controversies such as stock market scams, large-scale money laundering, bank defaults, and crony capitalism have emerged.
3. Anti-Secular Islamist Agenda: The Awami government plans to create model mosque cum islamic cultural centres. These can replace the syncretic and secular Bengali linguistic culture, threatening Bangladesh’s secular identity.

What are the emerging challenges in front of India?

1. Harming India’s Image: According to the author, there will be allegations against India of supporting autocracies abroad to suit strategic interests.
2. Anti-India Sentiment in Bangladesh: Anti-Indian sentiments (especially among the youth) are rising in Bangladesh due to its support for an increasingly autocratic regime.
3. Support to a Problematic Dispensation: Massive corruption scandals, mismanagement of economy, and abnormal price rise has tainted the Hasina government lately.
4. Opposing Stand of India’s Strategic Partners: India’s strategic partners (such as the USA, and its European and Asian allies) have criticized Bangladesh elections.
5. Lack of pro-Indian Elements in the Government: Most pro-Indian elements in the Awami League have been eliminated.

What should be done?

India’s loss of influence in the neighbourhood, from Nepal to the Maldives, reflects badly on India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. Hence, the following steps can be taken:

1. India should push hard to induct some pro-Indian leaders in the cabinet.
2. Secular alternatives to the Awami League should be explored.

Question for practice:

What are the emerging challenges in front of India in the wake of the recent Bangladesh Elections?