The parliamentary committee headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the current situation in Bangladesh is the biggest strategic challenge for India since the 1971 liberation war. Shashi Tharoor said that although the situation will not devolve into anarchy and disorder, India still needs to be careful in dealing with it.
The parliamentary committee has submitted several recommendations to the government, citing the rise of Islamic fundamentalists, ‘the growing influence of China and Pakistan’ and ‘the decline of the dominance of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League’ as the reasons for the increase in unrest in Bangladesh.
If strategy is not changed, India will become irrelevant: Parliamentary committee
According to the report of The Hindu, the committee said, ‘Whereas the challenge of 1971 was existential, it was humanitarian and related to the birth of a new nation. The second challenge is more serious, involving generational imbalance, changes in the political system and possible strategic realignment from India. The committee further said, ‘If India fails to change its strategy at this time, it risks losing the strategic position in Dhaka. This will not be because of war, but because of irrelevance.
The committee headed by Tharoor expressed concern over the change in Bangladesh’s relations with Pakistan and the increasing interference of China. In this context, the committee cited projects like the expansion of Mongla port, Lalmonirhat airport and the submarine base at Pekua, which is capable of hosting eight submarines, while Bangladesh has only two.
Increasing dominance of fundamentalists in Bangladesh
It said that China is maintaining contacts with all sections of Bangladesh, including Jamaat-e-Islami. The Islamic group has also visited China. The panel recommended that the government maintain strict vigilance to prevent any foreign power from gaining a military foothold in Bangladesh. Along with this, give comparative advantage to Dhaka in terms of development, connectivity and access to port.
The Committee also expressed concern that Jamaat-e-Islami, which was previously banned, has had its electoral registration restored, allowing it to participate in the upcoming elections. At the same time, the interim government in Dhaka has banned Awami League, which will also prevent it from participating in election activities.
Questions raised on ban on Awami League before elections
The committee said, ‘The continued ban on Awami League will clearly raise questions on any future elections in Bangladesh.’ Amid the deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh, New Delhi has reacted with restraint to the neighboring country’s statements that directly threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It is noteworthy that during the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus, there have been many attacks on minorities. Along with this, hatred has spread openly towards India and especially the North-Eastern part. The interim government of Bangladesh is trying to build closer ties with Pakistan and China at the expense of historical ties with India.
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