Fall of authoritarian regime in Bangladesh a major diplomatic setback for India: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Monday said India should come out from its negative attitude towards ‘New Bangladesh’ as the fall of the authoritarian regime is the biggest political, diplomatic and strategic defeat for India in its history.

“We feel that India can’t accept the biggest political, diplomatic and strategic defeat in its history. They do not have the courage to admit it,” said TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman at a press conference.

The press conference was arranged at its office in the capital’s Dhanmondi area to share TIB observations over the first 100 days of new Bangladesh after the fall of the authoritarian regime.

The TIB Executive Director said new directions have been opened up in Bangladesh‍‍`s relations with all countries in terms of mutual assistance and cooperation in the current context. “We expect the same to happen (in the relations) with India,” he said.

He said India cannot play the expected ‘positive role’ or show ‘positive attitude’ following the ‘positive change’ in Bangladesh as India is unable to accept its politically, diplomatically and strategically biggest defeat in the history.

 “They (India) are still seeing Bangladesh through the prism that supports this authoritarianism (in Bangladesh),” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman.

So, it has created a huge risk for playing the role of a catalyst (by India) in some cases of the creation of possible destabilisation in Bangladesh, he added.

The TIB executive director said many people had the perception that ‘liberal thinking’ was promoted in Indian political space, people and media. “We think India has changed (from that liberal thinking).”

He said the way Indian media are projecting Bangladesh is at least risky and definitely a ‘disturbing factor’ for Bangladesh. “It has created an embarrassing situation for us (Bangladesh). But we also think it is very embarrassing and shaming for India itself. So, India has to move away from this path,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman.

He appreciated the role of the interim government of Bangladesh regarding the bilateral relations with India as it is always for keeping the door open. “We always talk about keeping the door open. India is our biggest neighbour. We would like to maintain a positive relation with India. The role of India in this regard is the most important,” he said.

Noting there are risks in the transitional process of Bangladesh, the TIB Executive Director said India‍‍`s role can be positive, and very negative in every case. “That risk must be kept in mind,” he said.

Earlier, TIB senior research fellow Shahzada M Akram presented the report of a study titled ‘New Bangladesh Observations on the First 100 Days after the Fall of the Authoritarian Regime’ in the event.

In his report, Akram said India’s failure to accept the reality of the fall of authoritarianism and to admit its mistakes, combined with the conspiratorial actions of the deposed government in India may destabilize the transition process, and, above all, the strained diplomatic relations with India may remain worrisome for the government and Bangladesh.

He said the Indian government, politicians, and media fail to accept the reality of the fall of the authoritarian government by the mass uprising.

India expressed concerns about the security of minority communities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, while purposeful misinformation and rumours spread in Indian media and social media, he added.

Despite Bangladesh‍‍`s strong protests, ‍‍`border killings‍‍` continue, said the TIB official.

In the report, he said, the attitude of the international community towards the interim government is positive.

“Support for the peaceful and democratic transition of Bangladesh has been expressed by various countries and organizations, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Pakistan, Russia, China, Iran, the European Union and the United Nations,” he said.

He said various international organisations have pledged to provide financial and other support to the interim government.

Adviser of TIB’s Executive Management Prof Dr Sumaiya Khair, TIB Research and Policy Director Muhammad Badiuzzaman and TIB Outreach and Communications Director Muhammad Tauhidul Islam were present.