India Aware of Anti-Hasina Sentiment in Bangladesh but Unable to Intervene: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Consultative Committee on External Affairs on Saturday (March 22) that India was aware of the rising anti-Sheikh Hasina sentiment in Bangladesh before the Awami League government was ousted on August 5, 2024.

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina (via Bloomberg) and Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar (via Business Standard)

According to The Hindu, Jaishankar stated that despite this awareness, India lacked the leverage to intervene and could only offer advice to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also mentioned that other stakeholders, including UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk, were aware of the unrest. Jaishankar referenced Turk’s recent warning to the Bangladesh army against confronting unarmed protesters, cautioning that non-compliance could result in a ban from UN peacekeeping missions.

During the committee meeting, Jaishankar also discussed India’s foreign policy concerning its neighboring countries—Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Addressing concerns about the India-Myanmar border, he assured that India was prepared to handle any law and order situation. Regarding the future of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), he clarified that “SAARC is not off the table,” hinting at a potential revival. The last SAARC meeting, involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, took place in November 2024.

India Criticizes Interim Government Led by Muhammad Yunus

Since the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh last August following a violent revolution, relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated. India has repeatedly criticized the interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, for persecuting Hindu minorities and blaming India for its internal challenges.

Last month, India strongly protested against Bangladesh’s negative depiction of India and its attempts to hold the Indian government accountable for its domestic issues. On February 7, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) formally conveyed its concerns by summoning Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner to India, Md. Nural Islam. The MEA expressed regret that Bangladeshi authorities continue to make statements portraying India in a negative light and attributing responsibility for Bangladesh’s internal governance matters to India.

(This Article was originally published by OpIndia)