India Should Prevent West From Destabilising Situation in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has described the recent unrest as part of a serious plot aimed at reducing Bangladesh to a state of poverty by crippling its economy.

Authorities imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed army troops to end the protest after the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) failed to stop the violence, which has so far claimed over 200 lives, according to media reports.

Western media in the US, Europe, and the UK are suspected of collaborating with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami* and the opposition parties in Bangladesh to delegitimizse and destabilise Hasina's government, potentially aiming to remove her from power, Dr Suvrokamal Dutta, International Conservative Political Economic And Foreign Policy Expert told Sputnik India.

Dutta noted that the Bangladeshi government has confronted the involvement of anti-India and other Jamaat-e-Islami elements.

It has taken decisive steps to combat extremism, fundamentalis and pro-Pakistan forces within Bangladesh, he added.

The analyst stressed that Hasina has also made significant efforts to control and eliminate the "Jamaat-e-Islami* and Taliban**-affiliated groups that operated under the previous regime of Khalida Zia".

Over the past 15 years Hasina's leadership has been effective, as shown by her recent electoral victory despite the attempts by the US and Western countries to undermine the elections through their support for the opposition, Dutta argued.

Dutta contended that the Indian government cannot afford to stay passive, as destabilisation in Bagladesh could threaten India's strategic balance and its territorial and national integrity.

He warned that once the Bangladeshi army and police return to their regular duties, there remains a risk of future flare-ups, given the involvement of foreign powers in the ongoing turmoil.

If such unrest escalates, it could pose significant challenges for India, potentially leading to cross-border implications such as refugee issues and demands for political asylum.

Dutta stressed that the Government of India must take every possible action to support stability in Bangladesh and assist Hasina in overcoming the significant challenges she currently faces.

India must utilise all available resources to ensure Sheikh Hasina's friendly government remains stable amidst the challenges in Bangladesh, particularly given India's extensive border with the country, he concluded.

*banned in Bangladesh
**under UN sanctions for terrorism.

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