Shashi Tharoor, the Congress politician and MP, said NDTV that India should not be concerned about the change in power in the neighboring country, praising the Center for providing Sheikh Hasina with sanctuary after she was forced to leave as prime minister of Bangladesh due to violent protests.
“Our fundamental interest lies in close and friendly relations with Bangladesh; our basic commitment is to the well-being of Bangladesh people, the State comes second and any individual leader comes third,” Mr. Tharoor said when asked about how he thought the developments in Bangladesh would affect India’s ties with Bangladesh.
“We are with the people of Bangladesh, we were with them in 1971, we have been with them through thick and thin, even when they had governments who were less than friendly to us, we have managed to keep our relationship on an even keel and certainly there should be no deterioration in that relationship in time to come,” he stated.
Regarding the provisional administration led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Grameen Bank Muhammad Yunus, he stated that New Delhi should not be alarmed. “I have personal acquaintance with Muhammad Yunus; he is a well-respected individual. I suppose he is somewhat close to Washington rather than being seen as close to Jamaat e Islami or Pakistani ISI. Upon examining the interim government’s overall makeup, it appears that India has no specific cause for concern over the involvement of adversarial nations in its formation,” the speaker stated.
He stated that India’s main worry has always been whether China and Pakistan would fish in uncharted territory. “People who follow relations in the subcontinent are most concerned about the possibility that the Chinese, who have a strong presence in Bangladesh, may have seen this as an opportunity to expand their influence, and that the Pakistani ISI may have been involved in some outrageous incidents of violence during the agitation. He emphasized the temporary leader’s appeal for peace and the protection of minorities, saying, “But certainly there is no implication of anything in the composition of the interim government or the initial statements of Mr. Yunus that would give us any cause for worry.”
Regarding India’s decision to provide Sheikh Hasina with asylum after her removal, Mr. Tharoor expressed gratitude to the Narendra Modi administration. “It would have been a shame for India if we hadn’t assisted her. If we had mistreated our friend, no one would have wanted to be our friend. India is a friend of Sheikh Hasina and she is a friend of India. Furthermore, you aid and protect a buddy without hesitation when they are in need. In fact, India has done just that. I praise the government for taking this action. Nothing less would have satisfied me. Indians have particular values that we uphold in the global community.
He declared, “The administration has acted appropriately in bringing her here and making sure she is secure.
“We have no say in how long she wants to stay. You don’t give someone a call to ask them when you’re leaving. In my opinion, we should wait and see how long she feels comfortable staying before letting her go. Before relocating to any foreign nation, there are practical factors, issues with visas, and other things to think about. She’s with us for the time being, and we should be proud of ourselves for supporting a friend when her safety was in jeopardy,” Mr. Tharoor stated.
In response to a query about whether the Indian government ought to express alarm over attacks on minorities with greater vigour, he mentioned that contradictory reports were originating from Bangladesh. “There have undoubtedly been some attacks; nobody should or can dispute this. It is true. There is some good news mixed in with all the terrible, he added. “At the same time, there is no doubt that there are also stories coming out about Bangladeshi Muslims guarding Hindu homes and temples.”
Sheikh Hasina has been in India for almost a week now. She was forced to resign as demonstrations against reservation in Bangladesh turned into a movement calling for her removal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar convened an all-party meeting after her arrival, during which she informed opposition party leaders about the circumstances and the government’s strategy. When it comes to handling this situation, the Opposition has pledged the Center’s complete cooperation.
