Bangladesh: India has its work cut with geopolitical, economic and security challenges

As Bangladesh grapples with socio-political turmoil in the aftermath of August’s momentous developments – which saw former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country after 15 years in charge, in response to widespread protests – the effects are being felt across its borders in India.

From losing a supposed ally in the ousted Awami League government to witnessing domestic protests against the alleged atrocities on Hindu minorities, India faces numerous challenges emerging from the evolving situation, none of which can easily be resolved.

In these circumstances, it has become critical for New Delhi to revisit its binary, Awami-League-versus-the-rest approach toward Bangladesh and make space for a nimble, multi-vector foreign policy.

Spillover effects

While Bangladesh has its hands full with the challenges of structural reforms and rebuilding democratic processes in the aftermath of a revolution, India has many tasks cut out for itself to control the geopolitical and geoeconomic damage that has accrued from the political upheaval in the country next door.

The ousting of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5 was precipitated by a nationwide student agitation against the reinstating of a quota policy that reserved 30% of public sector jobs for the descendants of freedom fighters who fought for independence from Pakistan in 1971. To the...

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