The diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and India remains strained more than a month after the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from office. While Hasina's continued stay in India is causing friction, a recent interview Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has further complicated matters, reports the BBC.
Sheikh Hasina, who was perceived as pro-India, had fostered strong strategic and economic ties between the two nations during her 15-year tenure.
Her administration had been beneficial for India's security interests, as she took decisive action against anti-India insurgent groups operating from Bangladesh and resolved several border disputes.
However, Hasina’s presence in India, with no clear end in sight, has complicated the efforts of both countries to maintain a robust relationship.
This tension was evident last week when Yunus, in an interview with the Press Trust of India, called on India to prevent Hasina from making any political statements while she remains in Delhi.
"If India wishes to retain her until Bangladesh demands her return, she must refrain from commenting publicly," Yunus remarked.
Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who is currently leading an interim administration following Hasina's departure, may have been referring to a statement made shortly after Hasina’s arrival that sparked considerable backlash in Bangladesh.
Since then, Hasina has not made any public statements.
In Bangladesh, there have been calls for Hasina to return and face trial for alleged killings during anti-government protests in July and August.
Yunus also emphasised the need for both countries to work collaboratively to enhance their bilateral relationship, which he characterised as being "at a low."
India's foreign ministry has yet to officially respond to Yunus’s remarks, but sources indicate that officials are reportedly "upset" by the criticism.
"India is monitoring developments in Bangladesh and noting statements from Dhaka, both official and from prominent individuals," an anonymous Indian official told the BBC.
Former Indian diplomats have expressed surprise at what has been described as Yunus’s "megaphone diplomacy"—addressing contentious issues through the media rather than through direct negotiations.
"India has shown readiness to engage with the interim government and address mutual concerns," said Veena Sikri, a former Indian high commissioner to Dhaka.
Sikri questioned the basis of Yunus's claim that the bilateral relationship is at a low point.
The Bangladeshi foreign ministry, however, has rejected the criticism. Touhid Hossain, the adviser to the Bangladesh foreign ministry, defended Yunus’s right to express his views and dismissed criticisms of his statements.
Although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yunus spoke by phone several weeks ago, there have been no subsequent ministerial-level meetings.
There is a broad consensus in India that Hasina may remain in India until another country offers her asylum.
Nevertheless, Mohammad Tazul Islam, the newly appointed chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, has announced efforts to extradite Hasina to face charges related to the protest killings.
Experts consider it improbable that Hasina will be extradited even if Bangladesh makes a formal request.
"She is staying here as a guest of India. If we do not extend basic courtesy to a long-time ally, it undermines our credibility as a friend," commented Riva Ganguly Das, a former Indian high commissioner to Dhaka.
In his interview, Yunus also criticised India for not engaging with Bangladeshi opposition parties, suggesting that India holds a biased view of Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Indian analysts, however, disagree, asserting that India’s high commissioners interact with all political parties without assigning labels.
The bilateral relationship had previously deteriorated during the BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006, with India accusing Bangladesh of harbouring insurgents.
Despite this, many in Bangladesh now believe that India should engage with the BNP, which is poised for potential electoral success.
Amid the political turmoil, reports of attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh have emerged, raising concerns in India.
In recent weeks, Islamist hardliners have vandalised several Sufi shrines, and there have been reports of released militants and prison escapes. "
The release of several militants, including known figures, is a serious concern for India," remarked Das.
