Jaishankar emphasized the need for a more profound understanding of Bangladesh

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently made significant remarks about Bangladesh at the Delhi University Literature Festival. Here are key excerpts from his speech:

• He highlighted recent events in Bangladesh, emphasizing concerns over attacks on minorities.
• He noted that such incidents influence India's perception and response, making it necessary to speak up.
• Jaishankar urged Bangladesh to determine the nature of its relationship with India, pointing out instances where interim government officials blamed India for various issues.
• He stated that India has conveyed a clear message: while seeking stability, it does not appreciate continuous hostile signaling from Bangladesh.

Reflecting on last year’s events in Bangladesh:

• A mass uprising against Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government led to significant casualties. Reports from the UN Fact-Finding Mission alleged serious human rights violations.
• Despite these reports, Indian officials and media have largely remained silent on these allegations.

Concerns over attacks on minorities:

• Following the Awami League’s ouster, several attacks on minority communities, including Hindus, were reported, though some were linked to political affiliations.
• The interim government condemned such incidents, asserting that any attack on minorities is unacceptable.

Indian media's portrayal of Bangladesh:

• Certain Indian media outlets have been accused of exaggerating reports and spreading misinformation, even misrepresenting Indian events as occurring in Bangladesh.
• Calls from political leaders like Mamata Banerjee for UN intervention raised concerns about Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

Comparison with India’s treatment of minorities:

• BJP leaders have made multiple controversial remarks about Muslims since 2014, with Human Rights Watch documenting Islamophobic rhetoric in Indian politics.
• Bangladesh, however, has largely refrained from commenting on India’s internal minority issues.

India's shifting stance post-Hasina:

• While India previously refrained from highlighting minority issues in Bangladesh, its recent approach appears different.
• Jaishankar emphasized the need for Bangladesh to avoid hostile messaging, though critics argue that Indian politicians have also made inflammatory statements about Bangladesh.

Other key issues in India-Bangladesh relations:

• Concerns over border killings and unfulfilled promises regarding the Teesta River water-sharing agreement have strained ties.
• Bangladesh expects India to acknowledge and address its grievances just as India raises its concerns.

The way forward:

• Bangladesh should engage with a broad spectrum of Indian political and societal actors, rather than relying on ties with a single party.
• Both nations must prioritize pragmatism and mutual benefit over emotional or ego-driven policies.
• A stable India-Bangladesh relationship requires sincerity in addressing each other’s concerns and working towards constructive engagement.