In a candid email exchange, ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed the unbreakable spirit of India-Bangladesh friendship amid rising strains. The Awami League chief credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ordinary Indians for their solidarity, declaring the bilateral relationship resilient enough to navigate the ongoing crisis.
‘Our nations are linked by history, geography, and a shared vision for regional peace,’ Hasina told reporters. She praised India’s firm stance on democracy, minority rights, and stability, noting that a democratically governed Bangladesh is vital for mutual prosperity.
The backdrop to her comments is grim: under Muhammad Yunus’s interim rule, Hindu communities face escalating violence, Indian consulates have been attacked, and anti-India rhetoric proliferates. Elections loom on February 12, yet insecurity and partisan rifts deepen.
Hasina projected hope, predicting that free and fair polls would fortify ties further. ‘This difficult phase will pass, strengthening our partnership,’ she forecasted.
India’s response has been forthright. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal decried the killing of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, with New Delhi watching events closely. Officials rejected propaganda painting India as the villain, insisting Yunus’s team uphold security.
A recent summons to Bangladesh’s envoy highlighted concerns over mission-targeted conspiracies and crumbling order. Data reveals 2,900+ assaults on minorities—killings, burnings, seizures—since the interim setup, demanding serious attention beyond dismissals as exaggeration.
Hasina’s outreach signals a desire to preserve long-standing collaboration in trade, security, and culture, even as Bangladesh grapples with internal chaos. For India, safeguarding neighbors’ stability aligns with its regional leadership aspirations, setting the stage for post-election renewal.
