New Delhi, March 10 – The recent elections in Bangladesh have not only been a turning point for the country, but have also ensured the much-needed resetting of ties with India. This reset in New Delhi-Dhaka ties brings into sharp focus key issues like border security, among other things. However, Indian officials are hopeful that ties henceforth will only improve.
Under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, diplomacy continues as usual, which has been a relief not just for New Delhi, but also for Dhaka.
Observers say that the Narendra Modi government was undoubtedly under pressure regarding relations with Bangladesh. However, the government smartly adopted a wait-and-see approach and refrained from making unwanted comments.
Experts say that the government was confident that anti-India rhetoric would subside after the elections. Therefore, the Indian government's patience was a smart move, experts also say.
There is considerable activity in the intelligence circles as both countries have agreed to secure the borders. Both sides are working closely to ensure that illegal immigration does not take place.
With elections in Assam and West Bengal approaching, this is one area that Indian security agencies will closely monitor.
An official from the Intelligence Bureau said that there would be many attempts to push large numbers of illegal immigrants into the states where elections are being held.
This is being done to create communal discord and disrupt law and order ahead of the elections, the official added.
One key development is the visit by Major General Mohammad Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury, chief of the Military Intelligence of Bangladesh, to meet with Parag Jain, chief of the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW).
He also met with several other officials, signaling the normalization of ties.
This visit was high-profile and signals that both countries are eager to work closely and take the relationship to new heights.
Such visits and constant discussions are important due to the border issues.
The entire border with Bangladesh cannot be fenced as the terrain is not conducive. This opens up a route for individuals who are tasked with bringing in illegal immigrants. In the absence of a fence, the way to man the borders is through talks.
In the wake of the Intelligence agencies warning that illegal immigrants are looking to enter in large number, such visits and discussions become very important, the official added.
Prior to the elections, there was a lot of Pakistani meddling in Bangladesh. This appears to have significantly decreased, another official said.
Rahman during his election campaign had made it clear that for him, it would be a 'Bangladesh first' policy. This signaled that he would not entertain any nation that would be looking to bring down his country.
Experts say that for Bangladesh, India is an important player and in terms of economics and security, relations between the two nations need to be rock solid.
While the visit by the Military Intelligence chief is a clear sign of things looking up, the arrest of the killers of Osman Hadi by the West Bengal Police is a very crucial development.
Hadi, a student leader, was shot in the head during an election campaign. This was used as anti-India propaganda by many in Bangladesh.
India was being blamed for sheltering the killers of Hadi. However, the Indian government made it clear that it never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh.
The Special Task Force of the West Bengal Police said that it had detained two Bangladeshi nationals in Bongaon.
"There was credible secret information that two Bangladeshi nationals, after committing serious crimes including extortion and murder in Bangladesh, had fled their country and illegally entered India, and were trying to take shelter in the border area of Bongaon with the intention of crossing back into Bangladesh when an opportunity arises.
"Acting on this information, a raid was conducted, and two Bangladeshi nationals were intercepted, namely (1) Rahul alias Faisal Karim Masud (37 years), resident of Patuakhali, Bangladesh, and (2) Alamgir Hossain (34 years), resident of Dhaka, Bangladesh from the area of Bongaon in the intervening night of 7/8-03-2026,” the police said in a statement.
These arrests will ensure that the anti-India rhetoric will collapse.
An official said that both the Indian and Bangladesh government have been working closely towards improving relations rather than sharpening the rhetoric.