Parliament Panel: Bangla Situation Complex, Evolving

The Committee, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, while examining the Future of India-Bangladesh relations, added that the recent political developments in Bangladesh have introduced new complexities into the bilateral relationship. It urged the Indian government to leverage its comparative advantage in development cooperation to strengthen trust and reinforce India’s position as Bangladesh’s most reliable partner.

The committee in its report said that there is uncertainty regarding the schedule of democratic elections and political events of August 2024 have created significant instability and uncertainty with incidents of violence, attacks and intimidation of minorities, tribal communities, media groups, intellectuals, journalists, academicians, etc., becoming the norm. Concerns have been raised about human rights issues, including restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly and political instability has led to social unrest and protests in various parts of the country, it said.

Incidentally, the report comes at a time when Bangladesh is reeling under a fresh wave of violence following the death of a student leader Sharif Osman Haidi.

The panel recommended the Indian government to closely monitor the activities of foreign powers in Bangladesh, considering that any attempt by unfriendly countries to establish a military foothold in Bangladesh would pose serious security risks for India.

The committee noted that India has worked with Bangladesh on joint operations against terrorism and extremist activities but the recent developments in Bangladesh have huge security implications for the Northeast region of India.

While recognizing that the security, stability, and economic development of India’s northeastern states are intricately linked with effective management of the India-Bangladesh border, the committee noted that illegal migration from Bangladesh continues to remain a matter of serious concern, particularly in the border states of West Bengal and Assam.

During the hearing, the MEA delegation, led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, told the committee that the Indian government is undertaking a comprehensive approach in dealing with cross border security challenges in coordination with state governments of North Eastern States, border guarding agencies, central investigation agencies and law enforcement.

As a result of these efforts, 14 terrorists affiliated with Ansarullah Bangla Team (a wing of Al Qaida in Indian subcontinent) have been arrested by Assam since December, 2024 in joint operation with police and state agencies. The committee was also informed that several Bangladeshi nationals have been detained and narcotics amounting to 12,300 kg have been seized, owing to heightened security at the border in recent months.

The committee noted that the Government of India has adopted a calibrated policy of non-interference in Bangladesh’s internal political processes, while maintaining constructive engagement with the Interim Government and other democratic stakeholders. The Committee also note India’s overall approach to its relationship with Bangladesh has remained unchanged following the events of August 2024.

On the stay of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India, the committee noted that India’s approach in this regard is guided by its civilizational ethos and humanitarian tradition of offering refuge to individuals facing circumstances of grave distress or existential threat. The committee was informed that the Government of India does not provide her with a political platform or any space to undertake political activity from Indian territory.

“The Committee also notes that while extending such humanitarian consideration, India has strictly adhered to the principle that no political activity is directed against any other country from our territory,” the report said. It recommends that the Government of India should continue to uphold its principled and humanitarian approach, consistent with India’s values and international responsibilities, while ensuring that such situations are managed with due sensitivity.

The Committee also took note of the Bangladesh Government’s extradition request following the pronouncement of a death sentence on Sheikh Hasina in absentia, and urged the Indian Government to keep the committee apprised of its consideration of the matter.

The report said that the committee was hopeful that the current challenges in bilateral relations between the two countries since August 2024 will not have an adverse impact on the established and ongoing cooperative mechanisms between the two countries for ensuring border security and management. “The committee, therefore, recommends that the Government of India should continue to pursue constructive bilateral engagement with Bangladesh on all border-related issues, ensuring that evolving political and security developments in Bangladesh do not undermine joint mechanisms for border management,” the report said.