Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and ex-MP, has shared his thoughts on the recent developments in Bangladesh, which have raised eyebrows in India. The situation highlights the complexity of India's foreign policy and its impact on neighboring countries.
Bangladesh's Political Turmoil
Bangladesh has recently experienced significant political upheaval. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, after her fourth term, fled to India under humiliating circumstances. Despite economic growth under her leadership, fundamental issues like unemployment and corruption have persisted. Allegations of authoritarian rule, assassinations, lootings, attacks on temples, and the vandalism of Mujibur Rahman's statue indicate deeper issues. The murder of a famous actor's father, who made a film on Mujib's assassination, adds to the unrest.
There are suspicions of the Islamic group Jamaat-e-Islami being involved in these incidents, with allegations of CIA backing due to Hasina's anti-American stance. Much remains to be uncovered about these developments.
India's Diplomatic Oversight
Reddy criticized the Modi government, Ajit Doval, and Foreign Minister Jaishankar for failing to anticipate these developments. He emphasized that Bangladesh was India's only friendly neighbor, and this situation highlights a diplomatic failure. An all-party meeting was held to discuss these issues, indicating a positive development amidst the chaos.
There are questions about the role of student protesters and whether Jamaat has a separate agenda or is acting in collaboration with others. The rise of religious extremism in Bangladesh poses a significant threat to India, and the country appears to be encircled by instability.
Challenges and Lessons for India
Khaleda Zia, the widow of military ruler Zia, rose to power with support from the Jamaat-e-Islami, which has 50,000 full-time paid workers. Hasina banned this organization, but religious influence continues to grow. With millions of Hindus still in Bangladesh, reports suggest that student leaders are protecting Hindu homes from attacks, offering some hope for the situation.
India must rethink its foreign policy, especially after welcoming Hasina during her exile. The optics of Ajit Doval welcoming her and the media coverage have complicated the situation, potentially leading to increased anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. Relations with neighboring countries are delicate and should not depend on specific leaders or parties.
India's Changing Foreign Policy Landscape
India's foreign policy, once a national consensus supported by all parties, has changed under Modi's leadership. Previously, India had good relations with all neighboring countries except Pakistan. Now, relations have deteriorated, and Modi's personal diplomacy and declarations of India as a "Vishwaguru" have isolated the country.
Modi's foreign visits often focus more on benefiting corporate allies than building diplomatic ties. Incidents like asking the French President to support Anil Ambani and helping Adani with coal mines in Australia have damaged India's reputation.
Conclusion
Reddy argues that India's foreign policy has become more personalized under Modi, leading to diplomatic failures. Interference in foreign elections, as seen with the "Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar" campaign, backfired when Biden won the U.S. presidency.
India's relations with Sri Lanka also suffered when Modi publicly supported Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was ousted by the people. The current Sri Lankan president openly favors China.
India's relations with neighboring countries have weakened, and the situation is further complicated by issues with China, Pakistan's economic crisis, and internal conflicts in Myanmar. In Afghanistan, the Taliban's rule threatens India's interests.
Nepal's Oli government, with China's support, lacks good relations with India. The U.S. is trying to use India against China, which complicates matters further. Mauritius has asked Indian security forces to leave, showing a shift in alliances.
India needs to maintain good relations with its neighbors, regardless of who is in power. Helping neighboring countries in their crises and staying out of their internal affairs should be the foreign policy focus. The government should learn from Bangladesh's situation, understanding that authoritarianism can lead to rebellion.
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