Narendra Modi has a typical and yet peculiar habit. The Prime Minister brings a personal touch to whatever he does. His meeting with Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan on the latter's birthday was one such episode.
Modi lately hosted Vladimir Putin. His bear hugs are spoken more often. He did the same even while dealing with Sheikh Hasina. Once he traveled in a bus with Hasina and also Mamata Banerjee.
Bangladesh is in news these days - for both right and wrong reasons. Modi's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said how long the former Bangladesh PM will stay in India will have to be decided by the guest herself.
"She (Hasina) came here in a certain circumstance, and I think that circumstance clearly sort of is a factor in what happens to her. But again, that is something in which she has to make up her mind."
That nation is in the grip of multiple challenges. Analysts are already debating whether 'democracy' in Bangladesh is turning into a little more than a hollow ritual.
There are growing concerns within Bangladesh itself about how things should move and where they should move. Areas of concern include --
(a) Romanticising of violence.
(b) Glorifying a culture of 'banning political rivals
(c) Weakening of institutions whereby populism is thriving. Almost everyone says that courts, election commissions, universities, and the media are never neutral and that they are all agents of the enemy.
In such a situation there is no real roadmap that can ensure inclusive peace and stability in Bangladesh.
India will have reasons to worry because geo-strategic and national security are something it cannot ignore.
An article in Dhaka-based 'Daily Star' says -
"When everyday language teaches that the will of the majority is the only law, that one group's personal reading of religion is the "constitution," and that anyone who disagrees is a traitor, then minorities, women, converts, atheists, and people with different politics are pushed into a life of fear.
Many go silent. Some try to leave the country. Some quietly nurse a desire for revenge. Slowly, society starts to crack from within."
All these do not augur well for India. This also adds to the challenges for the Prime Minister Modi. The pressure on him will be tremendous because of expectations.
Namo will have to ensure national security. He has to ensure nothing unusual happens to Sheikh Hasina. PM has to ensure the success of Act East policy and also enhanced developments for India's own northeastern states.
It goes without saying that how Team Modi comprising himself and his foreign minister Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval is going to handle the situation will be interesting to watch.
Bigger issue for India remains - What's the real story behind July 2024 so-called 'Uprising'.
It boils down to more easily understood words like 'puppets' and puppet masters. Were the protesting students the master of their own conscience ?
If the protest was orchestrated -- New Delhi has to get convincing answers who played it up. More fascinating issue to ponder over will be was it a real regime-change operation. And in that case whether Sheikh Hasina was punished for being too much of India-friendly !!
Muhammed Yunus has a very much questionable credential. Over the years he has been a representative of the 'US deep state' and its interests in Bangladesh. Apparently, he wants to become President and make Jamaat - the real power behind the throne. And this will also mean -- the policy of 'use and throw' could greet BNP of Khaleeda Zia.
For New Delhi, a matter of deep concern is Bangladesh inching closer to Pakistan by the day. The Americans have stepped up interests in Bangaldesh and given his style and temperament;
.... Yunus may easily hand over St Martin Island to Washington.
Saint Martin island is a small island located in the Bay of Bengal, south of Cox's Bazar. It is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning natural beauty, clear waters, and rich marine life.
And more importantly, strategically 'control' over this island will give the US better access to Myanmar, which otherwise is known for being China-friendly.
All these will have serious security implications for India's northeastern states especially Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment