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As per a report, Indian officials demanded the US to tone down criticism of Sheikh Hasin, arguing that if the opposition were allowed to gain power in an open election, Bangladesh would become a breeding ground for Islamist groups posing a threat to India’s national security read more
 "Report")
Many Bangladeshis were disappointed after the Biden administration softened its criticism and shelved threats of further sanctions against former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Source: AFP.
In the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s recent ouster amid student protests in Bangladesh, reports have come up regarding the complex diplomatic to-and-fro between Indian and US officials over the past year.
A year before her deposition, Indian diplomats had actively lobbied their American counterparts to ease pressure on Hasina, the long-standing and authoritarian prime minister of Bangladesh, a report by The Washington Post quoted sources from both nations as saying.
The Biden administration had been critical of Hasina for her harsh crackdown on political opponents and alleged human rights abuses leading up to a contentious election in January. The US had sanctioned a Bangladeshi police unit under Hasina’s command accused of extrajudicial killings and threatened visa restrictions on Bangladeshis involved in undermining democracy.
In response, Indian officials, concerned about the potential rise of Islamist groups should the opposition gain power, urged the US to moderate its pro-democracy stance.
“You approach it at the level of democracy, but for us, the issues are much, much more serious and existential,” the report quoted an Indian government adviser as saying on request of anonymity.
“There were a lot of conversations with the Americans where we said, ‘This is a core concern for us, and you can’t take us as a strategic partner unless we have some kind of strategic consensus’,” the Indian governmeny adviser said.
Despite these appeals, the Biden administration toned down its criticism of Hasina, disappointing many in Bangladesh.
US officials, however, argue that this decision was made independently of Indian pressure.
“The US approach to Bangladesh was always one that tried to both be consistent with our values — and we spoke about those publicly on many occasions — but also pragmatic about the reality that the situation in Bangladesh was very complicated and that there were a number of interests that we had there and that other countries had there,” the report quoted a US official as saying.
As unrest continued in Bangladesh, leading to Hasina’s flight to India, both New Delhi and Washington are now grappling with the implications of their handling of the situation. According to the US official, Bangladesh always sees a balancing act as the on-ground situation is perpetually complicated.
Internal divisions within the US government became apparent as the election approached. Some State Department officials advocated for a tougher stance on Hasina, aligning with President Biden’s campaign promise to restore democratic norms. Meanwhile, others feared alienating Hasina and risking the safety of US diplomats who faced threats from her supporters.
The US-India dynamic was particularly influential in shaping the American response. Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, met with US officials such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken to argue against excessive criticism of Hasina. Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval also visited Washington to present India’s case.
Jon Danilowicz, a retired US diplomat, criticised the approach, suggesting that both nations failed to fully support the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
“The US has built its relationship with India and has this tendency to defer to its wishes in the region, and probably nowhere was that more evident than Bangladesh,” Danilow said, adding, “But the risk is like Iran 1979: If you’re seen as colluding with the dictator, when the dictator falls, you’re left playing catch-up.”
Post-ouster, Indian officials have expressed readiness to work with the new leadership in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his “best wishes” to Muhammad Yunus, who now heads Bangladesh’s interim government, even though Yunus had previously criticized India’s support for Hasina.
In the meantime, BNP leaders, potential victors if new elections occur, have reassured Indian officials of their commitment to maintaining safety and stability in Bangladesh.
The recent unrest in Bangladesh has prompted speculation about whether the US played a role in Hasina’s removal, a claim US officials firmly deny. The situation has also sparked debate in India about whether supporting Hasina was a misstep.
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English (US) ·