India-Bangladesh Relations Plunge Amid Accusations and Attacks: A Deep Dive

India-Bangladesh Relations Strained Over Minority Rights Dispute

India-Bangladesh relations have cooled following the ousting of ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which has led to a war of words about alleged Hindu minority mistreatment.

Tensions escalated after Bangladeshi authorities detained Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das last week on sedition charges, with a Bangladeshi mission in India subsequently attacked.

“India’s actions in Agartala contravene diplomatic mission inviolability as outlined by the Vienna Convention,” said Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding an investigation.

While New Delhi expressed regret and arrested seven individuals, the incident highlights the deepening discord between the two countries.

What’s fueling India-Bangladesh Tensions?

Although Das’s arrest triggered the latest dispute, resentment has been brewing since Hasina took refuge in India, with Bangladeshi opposition criticizing India’s backing of Hasina’s autocratic rule and rights abuses.

Hasina’s base in India has led to increased anti-India sentiments since she accused Muhammad Yunus, a respected economist, Nobel laureate, and interim administration head, of “genocide”.

India’s stance on minority rights and Bangladesh’s demand for Hasina’s extradition have added to the strife. Yunus, however, insists that Bangladesh does not discriminate, pointing to increased security around Hindu temples.

Impact of Dhaka Mission Attack on India-Bangladesh Relations

According to postdoctoral researcher Mubashar Hasan, the Dhaka mission attack could disrupt the previously stable India-Bangladesh relations and possibly have trade implications.

Pranay Verma, India’s envoy to Dhaka, emphasized that bilateral relations should not hinge on one issue, expressing India’s desire for collaborative peace-building and development efforts. A former Indian diplomat, Anil Trigunayat, believes relations will improve over time.

Restoration of India-Bangladesh Relations

Despite recent tensions, interim leader Yunus believes in the necessity of close relations for economic, security, and other interests. According to Yunus, transient issues should be dismissed in favor of maintaining good relations.

However, Ali Riaz, a professor at Illinois State University, argues that India must clearly convey its willingness to work with Bangladesh’s current government.

Role of Foreign Intervention in India-Bangladesh Dispute

The religious tensions have attracted international attention, with Western leaders including US Congressman Brad Sherman urging Yunus’s government to protect Hindu minorities. India, however, prefers to resolve issues bilaterally, though the EU may contribute to strengthening democratic governance in Bangladesh.

Michael Kugelman from The Wilson Centre, believes that India and Bangladesh must resolve the conflict on their own but praised the continued open communication channels between the two nations.