New Delhi's diplomatic skills and US pragmatism almost made Jamaat a possible "sacrificial goat"

 

Going by poll outcome and general estimates, the election in Bangladesh has certainly passed the test.

Looking at the results; one can presumably state that New Delhi's diplomatic skills and US pragmatism almost made Jamaat a possible "sacrificial goat".

The Jamaat actually came very close to power, yet its dreams of capturing power failed.

People rejected ultra radicalism and showed determination that 'Bengali nationalism' was key to the national ethos. A far fetched view would be the second Afghanistan not possible in the region at least as of now. 

The appointment of Khalilur Rahman as new foreign minister may be little puzzling. He getd the post for his expertise rather than as a party politician. He is not a member of parliament.

He served as national security adviser in the interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus. The western lobby could have pitched for his berth and portfolio. He also studied in JNU, Delhi. 

Khalilur with Modi's NSA Ajit Doval 

*****

When Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on February 12 that India would receive the same concessional duty access on garment exports to the US as Bangladesh, alarm bells rang across Dhaka’s garment districts. 

Are we mixing up things or the nature of geo-polity is such ? It's a well known fact that in geo strategy; there is no permanent friend or enemy.

At times; mutual interests matter a lot and often self interest reins supreme. 

The Donald Trump administration’s proposal to offer zero reciprocal tariffs on garments made from US cotton and man-made fibre, previously a distinctive advantage for Bangladesh, will now extend to India as well. 

Bangladesh exporters fear the development might erode Bangladesh’s competitive edge in apparel shipments to the US to some extent. Apparently there was hard bargaining between India and the US. In the process; diplomacy and commerce often mingled and also got overlapped.

Image : Daily Star

The Big picture story is Bangladesh begins a new journey. 

In more ways; so does South Asia. 

After over 18 months since the mass uprising, the long-awaited election has finally been held.

Since Aug 2024; things were being redefined. The just dissolved interim regime in Dhaka was not only anti-India; it spoke ill about chicken neck and north east India. Yunus led Bangladesh to stop commerce with India and opened new channels with Pakistan and even radicals from Turkey and Afghanistan wete given access to Bangladesh. 

In the elections; the western lobby and Pakistan favoured Jamaat. Yunus was movjng close to Turkey and Pakistan and New Delhi now thinks this sinister plan is checkmated.

But Jamaat has come a long way. The political reality now is the Jamaat can even force mid term polls hoping to capture power.

Bangladesh has faced deep polarisation, intolerance, and threats to its democratic foundations. Regressive and anti-democratic tendencies—whether institutional, ideological, or political—risked steering the country away from its foundational goals. 

BNP’s decisive victory can therefore be interpreted as a call to reverse this trajectory, and a public desire for accountable, forward-looking governance rooted in liberal democratic principles.

Once upon a time the Awami League exemplified most of these virtues if not all. 

At one point of time it appeared; the Jamaat would sail home as the neo ruling party.

But after India hinted to the US negotiators that South Asia should be left to South Asians; hurdles virtually were cleared in favour of BNP. 

PM Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s victory and his appointment as Prime Minister. 

“Your victory is a testimony to the trust and confidence reposed by the people of Bangladesh in your leadership and their mandate for your vision to take the country forward on the path of peace, stability and prosperity,” Modi said in his new letter to new PM of Bangladesh.

The Indian Prime Minister also underlined the “deep-rooted friendship” between India and Bangladesh, anchored in shared history, cultural ties and common aspirations for regional peace and development.

But a massive win alone cannot resolve deep-rooted structural problems. The BNP government will likely continue to face economic challenges and institutional constraints for the foreseeable future. This will test its capacity and sincerity not only to govern but also to transform the culture of governance in the country.

 Tarique has to keep fundamentalists at home and overseas will have to strike a right balance between its ties with the US and also other players such as China, Pakistan and even India.

Some of the diplomatic goof up by yhe puppet regime will nevertheless keep haunting Tarique Rahman.

Ends 

PM Modi invites Tarique Rahman and family to visit India

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Bangladeshi counterpart Tarique Rahman to visit India at a mutually convenient time.

"As two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies, India and Bangladesh can truly become catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth, work for each other’s security and enable mutual prosperity,” Modi added.

The invitation was conveyed in a letter dated February 16, which was handed over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, when he called on Tarique Rahman following the swearing-in ceremony at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today.

The BNP's win in Feb 12 polls is seen largely a moral and strategic victory for India.

Team Modi applied twin strategies but firm ones. It protected Sheikh Hasina
and opened back channel with BNP leader Tarique Rahman when he was still in Londom. 

"I take this opportunity to invite you, along with Dr Zubaida Rahman and your daughter Zaima, on a visit to India at a mutually convenient time. A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi wrote.

"I extend my warmest congratulations to you on the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at the just concluded parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and on your appointment as Prime Minister of Bangladesh,” he said.

“I wish you every success as you assume the high responsibilities of this office. Your victory is a testimony to the trust and confidence reposed by the people of Bangladesh in your leadership and their mandate for your vision to take the country forward on the path of peace, stability and prosperity.”

Modi noted India and Bangladesh, as close neighbours, share a deep-rooted friendship founded on common history, cultural ties and shared aspirations for peace and prosperity.

The strong convergence between our respective developmental priorities shall serve as a guiding principle for our future cooperation,” he wrote.

The Indian prime minister said he looked forward to working closely with Bangladesh’s new prime minister to strengthen multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation and advance shared goals across connectivity, trade, technology, education, skills development, energy, healthcare, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The western lobby and Pakistan favoured Jamaat.

Yunus was moving close to Turkey and Pakistan and New Delhi thinks this sinister plan is checkmated.

But Jamaat is a political reality now and can even force mid term polls hoping to capture power.

Ends 

French Prez Macron visit has special significance to Defence ties, a message for Russia and US

New Delhi has sought over the past decade to reduce its dependence on Russia, its traditional main supplier of military equipment, turning to other countries like France while also pushing for more domestic production.

 
An Indian defence ministry statement last week said the proposed purchase of Rafale jets had been cleared -- with "the majority" of them to be manufactured in India.
 

Christophe Jaffrelot, an India specialist at Sciences Po Center for International Studies in Paris, described the potential €30 billion ($35 billion) deal for 114 Rafales as the "contract of the century".

 

If finalised, the jets would add to the 62 Rafales that India has already purchased. The French presidency has voiced optimism that what it calls a "historic" agreement could be reached.

Narendra Modi and Macron also inaugurated via videoconference, India's first helicopter final assembly line, a joint venture between India's Tata Group and French major Airbus.

The facility in Vemagal, in the southern state of Karnataka near the tech hub of Bengaluru, will manufacture the Airbus H125, the company's best-selling single-engine helicopter.

 

France has emerged as one of India's most important defence and economic partners in the last decade. "Through this visit, we seek to further strengthen cooperation" with India, and to "diversify" France's economic and trade partnerships, Macron's office said.

 

India, the world's most populous country with 1.4 billion people, is on track to become the fourth-largest economy globally.

This week's talks are also expected to address global economic uncertainty triggered by tariff policies under US President Donald Trump, as well as China's influence in the region. Bilateral trade between France and India, driven largely by defence and aerospace -- India's commercial fleet includes a substantial number of Airbus aircraft -- stands at around €15 billion ($18 billion) annually.

 

French foreign direct investment in India totals nearly €13 billion ($15 billion). The two leaders will also be keen to nurture close personal ties.

"There is apparently a good chemistry, a good personal rapport," Jaffrelot said.

One sensitive issue remains Ukraine: India has not condemned Russia's 2022 invasion and has continued buying oil from Moscow.

US President Donald Trump has said India had committed to halting the purchases, though that has not been formally confirmed by New Delhi.

 

"If the Indians stop buying Russian oil, they won't be blamed for abstaining at the UN," Jaffrelot added.

Macron, on his fourth visit to India since taking office in 2017, began today with a programme including honouring the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and meeting Bollywood film stars, including Shabana Azmi and Manoj Bajpayee.

 

He called Modi his "dear friend" in a post on X, saying they will "go even further" in cooperation.

The visit follows New Delhi's confirmation last week that it intends to place a major order for Rafale jets, as well as the signing of a landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union in January.

India-France ties elevated to Special Strategic Partnership, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the warm welcome on his fourth official visit to India, describing bilateral ties as “remarkable and unique”. He said the two nations have decided to elevate their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, built on trust, openness and ambition.

Macron highlighted cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, technology and rule-based order, and cited joint initiatives such as the IMEC corridor, artificial intelligence collaboration and the International Solar Alliance, noting that both countries have charted new paths together over the past eight years.

Helicopter assembly line reflects deep India-France trust, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the inauguration of the helicopter assembly line in India reflects the deep trust between New Delhi and Paris. Highlighting the joint manufacturing initiative with France, Modi said India and France will produce in India the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest, with plans to export it globally. 

He added that the India–France partnership

 has “no boundaries”, extending from the deep oceans to the tallest mountains.

Ends

Mizo "Israeli descendants" :::Israel Govt approves plan to absorb nearly 6,000 members of the Bnei Menashe community

 

The Israel government has approved a plan to absorb nearly 6,000 members of the Bnei Menashe community residing in India's north-eastern states of Mizoram and Manipur by 2030, according to sources in Mizoram. 

The Bnei Menashe, identified as descendants of the biblical tribe of Manasseh are considered one of the 'lost tribes of Israel'.

 Majority of them had practised Christianity before converting to Judaism and receiving recognition from Israel's Chief Rabbinate. They observe traditional Jewish practices, celebrate holidays such as Sukkot, and have established synagogues in their communities. 

Sources also say Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Israel in February 2026 is likely to defer migration of Bnei Menashe community from Mizoram and Manipur to the 'Promised Land' by one or two weeks.

A community leader of the Bnei Menashe community in Aizawl said though it has been planned earlier that the first batch of the community numbering 300 each from Mizoram and Manipur are set to leave Aizawl for Israel during the later part of February, the proposed visit to Israel by Prime Minister Modi "necessitated deferment". 

It is now expected that the first batch for this year will migrate to the 'Holy Land' by early March.

One community individual Hnamte his spouse and their son will also be part of the group as his daughter and son have already migrated to Israel 10 years and 5 years ago respectively. 

The rabbis and the Jewish Agency members had said that preference will be given to people whose family members are already in Israel, especially who had migrated under the Aliyah (immigration to Israel or Return to Zion) programme.

He, however, said that the names of those selected to migrate to Israel are yet to be finalised. 

Many Mizos living in Mizoram and Manipur states in northeast India say they believe they are diaspora Jews who will one day return to the promised land.

As the theory gains acceptance among Mizos, as well as some Jews in Israel, some 200 Mizos left India for a start in mid 1990s for the Middle East to settle on the West Bank.

Most Mizos in northeast India became Christians during the past century, but some shops, streets and traffic junctions still bear Jewish names such as Israel Stores, Zion Street and Israel Point.

A substantial number of Mizo-Jews claim to be 'Bnei Menashe (sons of Menasseh)' or descendants of a lost tribe of Israel.

This section of Mizo people who follow Judaism seem to endorse BJP's claim that PM Narendra Modi's govt. has improved India's friendship with his Israeli counterpart Bwnjamin Netanyahu.

Locals here recall with much fondness that in July 2017, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel, as many as 25 years after bilateral ties between India and Israel were established in 1992. 

Many Mizo Christians do agree it was due to earlier Government's pro-Palestine stance for decades that Indian Christians could not go to Israel, even with diplomatic passports.

“I go to Synagogue almost daily,”  says Mary and maintains the emergence of BJP’s neo-Israel friendly politics would augur well for someone like her.

However, a 62-year-old native entrepreneur – on the condition of anonymity – said “It will not be proper to link some politician or a Christian leader joining BJP with the emotive Mizo-Jewish links. It is more about faith while politics is all about power game”.

Local sources say there are two Synagogues in Mizoram-capital Aizawl itself and there are also some in smaller townships and hamlets like Verante, Kolasib, Sialhok, Bhairavi, Lunglei and Kolkul.

“Initially, it was a theory. When we said we believe in being mythical ‘Lost Tribe’ of Israel, people laughed around. But this theory was given a sort of authenticity in April 2005 when the Sephardi Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Shlomo Amar, ‘recognized’ us as the descendents of the ancient Israelites or Bnei Menashe," said one of them.

Ends 

BJP's new campaign strategy has roles for Bansuri Swaraj

 

What's common between Bansuri Swaraj and Sambit Patra ? 

Well other than being sittinng BJP lawmakers; both these first time MPs have more engaging roles to play in coming elections in West Bengal. 

Sambit Patra, BJP’s national spokesperson, is expected interact at a specially convened teachers’  Sammelan. On the other hand; New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj has already addressed a conclave of lawyers. 

The BJP realises the going will be tough in a state where Muslims give Mamata Banerjee initial advantage in over 50 seats. Hence; they are adopting new methodologies of wooing voters.

Party insiders describe this as a “new era  campaign,” with sharply delineated gatherings for professionals like lawyers, teachers, doctors, and traders.

High-profile national leaders such as BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Sambit Patra will be drawn out from party high command's talent pool fron across India.

"In fact, this style is not new. We tried this and reaped benefits in Tripura where too the voters were inclined towards Left liberal schools of polity," says Jay Mukherjee, a local BJP leader in North Kolkata. 

In contrast, the Trinamool Congress has rolled out cash doles and welfare expansions totalling over Rs 1.80 lakh crore for social welfare in the interim 2026-27 state budget. 

Samik Bhattacharya, West Bengal BJP president says : “Our segmentation taps anti-TMC sentiments boiling over issues like post-poll violence, infiltration, and scams—issues that discerning voters care about deeply.”

"We are building conviction among the educated, urban, and professional classes who are fed up with TMC’s corruption, violence, and appeasement politics”. 

The BJP leaders say Bansuri Swaraj's interaction went off pretty well.

Attendees, including Bar Association leaders, nodded in agreement, citing TMC’s misuse of police against Opposition voices.

"Trinamool Congress has turned Bengal’s courts into their playground—bail for goons, harassment for BJP workers. Lawyers know the rot; it’s time to vote for justice,” Swaraj declared, invoking recent Supreme Court observations against Mamata Govt.

 Nikhil Das, ABVP president in Jadavpur University endorses this campaign style.

"More and more such interactions should be organised," he says. "Voters in west bengal are educated and so we need specialists to handle them". 

                    ABVP leader Nikhil Das

             ABVP Saraswati Puja : Jan 23, 

      Jadavpur University 

     

The BJP’s approach kicked into high gear lately with a series of closed-door meetings across Kolkata and also Siliguri in North Bengal.

“Since Mamata Banerjee came to power, our educators and the education sector itself faced many problems. From lack of infrastructure in schools, colleges, and universities, the lack of permanent teacher appointments, and the endless corruption in schools, colleges, and universities where there have been appointments, the TMC’s criminality knows no end," says party leader B S Nanda.

“BJP’s segmentation is smart—they’re wooing the ‘bhadralok’ (educated middle class) alienated by TMC’s muscle-flexing. Mamata’s sops may sway masses temporarily, but professionals want governance, not giveaways,” opined Biswanath Chakraborty, a Kolkata-based political analyst.

Ends 

Puppet Yunus flop show is over : Tarique Rahman in search of new President and new Foreign Minister for Bangladesh

Let us start with an easy saying --- when the going gets tough; its the TOUGH who gets going. 

Tarique Rahman may be lucky; but so far he has ptoved himself to be tough.

Muhammad Yunus has been super flop in more ways than one and good bye time looks imminent for a man who missed the golden opportunity to prove himself as a statesman.

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today said that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's visit to his house was a historic moment for national politics.

BNP - source snap 

Yunus - considered close to western lobby - had a disastrous stint.

He may end up in history being called -- a man who did not understand what his mandate was. He wanted to bring political reform - a mission never was given to an interim regime. 

He encouraged Islamists and befriended Pakistan for mega flip flop mission. 

***

Close on the heels of poll outcome, the interim government of Yunus has terminated the contractual appointment of Faisal Mahmud as the minister of the press wing to Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

He was removed from his position nearly nine months before the end of his term.

****

The Feb 12 mandate was decisive for the BNP but the Jamaat has proved one thing certainly --- they will be bigger player in next round of elections in Bangladesh.

It may come much earlier than expected because the Yunus dispensation had done a strategic mistake by keeping Awami League at bay during elections. Stage is set for Late Khaleeda Zia's son to be prime minister.

But Tarique has started brainstorming session on who will be Next President and who all will be his foreign minister, finance minister and so on.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar may soon find his counterpart from a serving Bangladeshi diplomat. Hence one name doing the round is Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, who is at present Bangladesh envoy in Mexico. 

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (born 26 January 1948) may be shortlisted for next Presidentship. He is a veteran BNP secretary general and a trusted man of Tarique family. On similar grounds; sources suggest senior leader Dr Moin Khan may be considered for the post of Speaker. 

Some also argue that Moin Khan may also get the key portfolio of Foreign Affairs. Former Commerce Minister under Khaleda Zia - Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury -- may be considered as Finance or Foreign Minister. Another BNP leader Humayun Kabir may be also considered as new foreign minister. 

Economist Reza Kibria may be made new finance or planning minister, analysts say. 

The BNP, the power-to-be in parliament, will need a solid cabinet that works beyond partisan interests, with zero tolerance for corruption, impunity, and violence. Every BNP member should have tattooed somewhere visible the lesson from why the Awami League fell: its arrogance of power. Be open to constructive criticism and meritocracy, and deliver to the public, not to the party. 

And keep the military, bureaucracy, and law enforcement apolitical.

Jamaat did comparatively well: 77 alliance seats is a historic high.

 But the verdict carries a message: society is still not ready for theocracy, to put it politely. Their role as responsible opposition will define the country’s democratic future. 

PM Modi receives invite for Tarique Rahman swearing in

 

In a major foreign policy signal Bangladesh PM-elect Tarique Rahman has invited PM Narendra Modi for his oath ceremony. 

Namo has been invited by Bangladesh to attend the February 17 swearing-in of Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister following BNP's sweeping election victory in Feb 12 polls. 

9

India is among the 13 countries invited by Chief Adviser of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus. The other nations are China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan.

India has not officially confirmed receipt of the invitation, and a decision on whether Prime Minister Modi will attend the ceremony is awaited, even as both nations attempt to reset bilateral ties. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to attend the event in Dhaka.

The BNP secured a commanding 209 of the 297 seats, while the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, considered close to Pakistan, won 68 seats. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was barred from contesting the polls, which recorded a voter turnout of 59.44 per cent.

After the results were announced on Friday, Prime Minister Modi spoke with Rahman and reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of both countries.

"I conveyed my best wishes and support in his endeavour to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India's continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples," Modi wrote on X after the call.

In another post, the PM said he looked forward to working with him to advance common development goals.

Rahman, in his first brief remarks on ties with India following his poll victory, said Bangladesh’s “interests” would form the cornerstone of his foreign policy towards New Delhi.

“The interests of Bangladesh and its people will determine our foreign policy,” Rahman said, adding that he seeks to maintain balanced relations with regional powers such as India, China and Pakistan, and does not view any country as a “master”. 

Of course the Sheikh Hasina regime was friendly to India. 

India needs to take the first mover advantage in engagement and assistance, else New Delhi would get muscled out by China and the US. Narendra Modi's phone call wss timely. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly reached out to Tarique Rehman first by a tweet and then spoke personally too. It is the smart ans expected approach.

New Delhi now needs to "sweeten the genuine friendship deal" with a befitting economic package.

There can be targeted investments in RMG exports, infrastructure, and job creation to stabilise the transition. In other words, India has to "rebuild" the goodwill, help curb any major unrest and of course positions India as a steady partner. 

The outcome could be setback for the US and Pakistan as a lot was allegedly invested. But the results will force external forces to decide the future of Mohammed Yunus and also could possibly open new doors for ousted PM Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League. The BNP was leading in maximum out of which results and trends available so far. 

Ousted leader and also served with death sentence, Sheikh Hasina is in constant communication with her people in Bangladesh and India.

 She is still inspiring party activists, party leaders, grassroots leaders and other professional bodies. 

Hasina is of course trying to make her party ready for the upcoming struggle.

The Awami League was banned in 2024 and the Bangladesh Chhatra League was labelled a “terrorist organisation” by the interim government.

 Several Awami League leaders face multiple charges of sedition and crimes against humanity, which they deny.

Ends