BANGLADESH is a dynamic and strategically significant nation, known for its struggles for language, democracy, and independence. Despite its potential to inspire globally, 53 years after independence, it has failed to establish a strong democratic framework or implement an independent foreign policy. While global democracy has expanded, Bangladesh has regressed over the past 15 years. Since the controversial 2009 election, Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 Awami League has used state resources to build a fascist regime, eroding democratic values. The clearest signs are the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections, where citizens were systematically denied their voting rights.
In The Coalition Years: 1996 to 2012, a book, former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee reveals India鈥檚 involvement in securing the Awami League鈥檚 2009 election victory. In the 2014 election, India influenced smaller parties like the Jatiya Party to participate, while major opposition parties boycotted, citing an uneven playing field. The 2018 鈥榤idnight election鈥� was rejected by opposition parties due to irregularities, including ballot stuffing at night before the election day. In the 2024 elections, the 鈥榙ummy鈥� election, the Hasina regime supported 鈥榙ummy鈥� independent candidates, who were also from the Awami League, to make the election appear credible, leading the international community to label the election as flawed. Despite these issues, India consistently backed the legitimacy of the elections held from 2009 to 2024, bolstering the Awami League鈥檚 grip on power. Besides, India played a significant role in softening international criticism of Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 repressive regime until her escape to India on August 5, 2024. Reports indicate India pressured Washington to ease its firm stance on Hasina鈥檚 government.
Under Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh鈥檚 foreign policy increasingly fell under India鈥檚 regulatory influence, shaping its diplomatic and commercial decisions. A notable example is her 2024 state visit to China, where discussions centred on the Teesta project, a river shared with India, and India has unilaterally exploited it, depriving Bangladesh of fair water rights. China expressed interest in financing the project, even conducting feasibility studies, but India opposed its involvement under the guise of security concerns. Before visiting China, the deposed prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, travelled to India twice and ultimately handed the project to India, despite its lack of feasibility studies or the capacity to execute it effectively. Experts argue that this decision was driven by India鈥檚 aim to prevent strong Bangladesh-China ties. During her China visit, Hasina faced a lack of expected protocol and economic support, leading her to cut the trip short and return to Bangladesh.
Despite being neighbours, Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced a strained relationship in the past. Particularly for the past 15 years, many in Bangladesh believe that, due to Pakistan鈥檚 strained ties with India and under India鈥檚 pressure, Bangladesh has been unable to establish a mutually respectful relationship with Pakistan.
Moreover, India has strategically and profitably used Bangladesh鈥檚 territory for connectivity with its seven northeastern states (the Seven Sisters). However, when Bangladesh sought to establish road links with neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan, India did not respond positively to using its territory for these connections.
These events clearly demonstrate how India has confined Bangladesh鈥檚 independent foreign policy.
Even after the fall of Sheikh Hasina following the July mass uprising, there has been no visible shift in India鈥檚 perspective on Bangladesh that developed during her tenure. The UN Human Rights Commission has found Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 direct involvement in the mass killings during the July uprising. However, Hasina still finds refuge in India. In addition, she continues to use phones and social media platforms from there to direct her party members to carry out killings and other forms of repression against students and protesters involved in the uprising.
The Bangladesh government has formally requested India to stop Hasina from using its territory for conspiracies against Bangladesh. Unfortunately, India has taken no visible effective action in response. Indian media outlets spread misinformation about the Bangladesh government, and India still views the overthrow of Hasina鈥檚 regime as a conspiracy, with some Indian leaders issuing threats to annex Bangladesh. After crippling Bangladesh鈥檚 democracy, human rights, social system, and global respectful positions, Hasina fled to India. This presents a new opportunity for Bangladesh to restore its democracy, rebuild a fair social system, and foster respectful diplomatic relationships with the global community.
Bangladesh has recently signed an important agreement with the US-based company, Argent LNG, as part of its effort to expand international business ties. In this context, Bangladesh continues to work on strengthening its ties with both neighbouring and distant countries.
Moreover, whenever Bangladesh endeavours to strengthen its business ties with China and Pakistan, India lodges complaints with the United States and western nations, alleging that Bangladesh is tilting toward China and attempting to brand it as a 鈥榤ilitant state.鈥� This poses a significant challenge to Bangladesh鈥檚 foreign policy. Given India鈥檚 systematic interference in Bangladesh鈥檚 politics, cultures, economy, and foreign policy spheres, it appears that India carries a colonial attitude towards Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, with a population of nearly 200 million, is a huge market with significant potential to grow politically and economically. If Bangladesh, a small country, strengthens its economy, politics, and foreign policy, it could, as India anticipates, further inspire the people in India鈥檚 various states struggling for independence. This is perhaps why India seeks to establish control over Bangladesh, aiming to achieve two main objectives: first, to reap economic benefits, and second, to ensure Bangladesh does not become a model that can stir further ongoing movements for political economy and independence in some Indian states.
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Md Farid Talukder is an assistant professor of management at McNeese State University, Louisiana, USA and chairman of the South Asia Initiative, a US-based think tank.
