Bangladesh–India Relations at a Crossroads: History, Hostility, and Regional Risk |
Post-Sheikh Hasina Wajid political turmoil, a rise in anti-India sentiments, its diplomatic fallout, and militarization on the country’s Western border are igniting regional militarization and mistrust that jeopardize South Asia’s regional stability.
A Cyclical History of Bangladesh–India Relations
With the ouster of Sheikh Hasina Wajid from power, a new anti-India interim government was installed in Dhaka. The prime reason behind the formation of an anti-India interim government is the historic alliance between the Awami League and New Delhi. However, this alliance was formed due to India’s support for the Awami League in its fight against Pakistan in the war of 1971. Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s asylum in India after her ouster from power in Bangladesh further deteriorated bilateral relations between the two nations.
Assassinations, Protests, and Rising Diplomatic Tensions
Nonetheless, the relations between Bangladesh and India reached a new nadir after the recent assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, the leader of anti-Hasina government student protests. He lost his life after sustaining gunshot injuries in an assassination attempt in the country’s capital on December 12.........