The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 7th August 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

From Hope to Despair

Why in News?

Sheikh Hasina has resigned as Bangladesh's Prime Minister amid violent protests demanding her departure. The Bangladesh Army, led by General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has taken control.

• General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the Army will establish an interim government and urged protesters to return to peace.

The situation in Bangladesh

• Bangladesh has experienced large protests recently due to the job quota system.
• Demonstrators are against reinstating a 30% quota in government jobs for freedom fighters' descendants.
• These protests are the biggest since Sheikh Hasina's fourth term began in 2008.
• Although she boosted the economy, her actions against the Opposition, media, and civil society made her unpopular.
• Protests led by young people prompted Hasina to step down from her position.
• She resigned and escaped to India on a military plane after weeks of protests resulting in casualties.
• After her resignation, she was reportedly given a deadline to leave the country.
• She arrived at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, after departing Dhaka.
• She discussed Bangladesh's current situation and her plans with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
• The Indian Air Force and security forces are ensuring Hasina's safety.
• There are rumors that she might go to London or possibly Belarus.

Sheikh Hasina's exit from Dhaka and its impact on India

• India has lost a trusted partner in the region. Sheikh Hasina's exit after 17 years signifies India losing a reliable regional ally.
• Despite being re-elected for the fourth time earlier this year, Hasina's initial bilateral visit was to India. She was a close ally of India, working together on combating terrorist groups in Bangladesh.
• Hasina has been considerate of India's security worries. In return, India has been a supportive neighbor, aiding Bangladesh's progress and fostering connectivity to underline the economic and security interdependence between the two nations.
• During Hasina's tenure as Prime Minister, Bangladesh and India successfully resolved a long-standing land boundary issue through a historic agreement.
• Both countries share resources like electricity and fuel, with India being the primary responder for Bangladesh.
• Strong China: India faces a significant challenge due to a robust Chinese presence in Bangladesh, which could potentially isolate India from friendly neighbors. This scenario could jeopardize India's strategic and security interests.
• India has extended assistance to Bangladesh on the Teesta Reservoir Project, a strategic concern for India due to its proximity to the Siliguri Corridor.
• India encountered security challenges during the rule of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The BNP's anti-India stance, particularly during its alliance with Islamic groups, heightened tensions between the two countries.
• The recent 'India-Out' campaign exemplifies the BNP's adversarial approach towards India, raising concerns about the future government's stance towards India.
• Border Security Concern: New Delhi faces the challenge of maintaining border security amidst ongoing conflicts with Pakistan and China. The volatile situation along the Myanmar border adds to India's security concerns.
• There is a risk of a resurgence of Islamist extremism in Bangladesh following the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who played a vital role in curbing radicalism.
• The future of transit agreements with Bangladesh may change under the new regime in Dhaka, impacting India's logistics supply to its Northeast region.

India’s stand during the crisis

• Bangladesh protests - its internal matter
  • India described the violent protests in Bangladesh as an internal matter of that country.
• India has been naturally supportive towards her
  • New Delhi has tacitly supported Sheikh Hasina despite her undemocratic practices.
  • The West has criticized her crackdown on civil society, the opposition, and the media, calling for an end to her authoritarian methods.
  • India's backing of Hasina, even amid allegations of election rigging, has created tensions between India and the West.

Brief Political History of Bangladesh:

• Formation and Early Years (1971-1975): 
  • 1971: Bangladesh gained independence, with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of the Awami League becoming the first Prime Minister. 
  • 1975: Rahman was assassinated in a coup. 
• Military Rule and Political Instability (1975-1990): 
  • 1975: Chief Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem appointed as president; military junta established. 
  • 1977: Gen Ziaur Rahman became president but was assassinated in 1981. 
  • 1982: Abdus Sattar ousted by a coup led by Army Chief H M Ershad, who resigned in 1990 due to widespread unrest. 
• Civilian Governments and Attempts at Stability: 
  • 1991-96 and 2001-06: Terms served by Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, with an attempted coup in 1996. 
  • 2006-2008: Military-influenced caretaker government during a period of unrest. 
• Post-2008 Stability: 
  • 2008: Sheikh Hasina returned to power, ensuring the military returned to barracks. 
  • 2010: The Supreme Court limited military interventions and reinforced secularism in the constitution. 

 India – Bangladesh Bilateral Relationship:

1. Historical Ties: 

• 1971: India played a key role in Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan. 
• Mid-1970s: Relations strained due to boundary disputes and water-sharing issues, exacerbated by subsequent military regimes in Bangladesh. 
• 1996: Stability restored under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, including the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty. 

2. Economic Cooperation:

a) Trade Growth:

• Current Trends: Bangladesh is the 25th largest trading partner of India, with total bilateral trade amounting to $12.9 billion.
• India's exports to Bangladesh decreased by 9.5% to $11 billion in the fiscal year 2024.

b) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA):

• Feasibility Study: In 2022, India and Bangladesh completed a shared study to assess the possibility of a CEPA.
• Importance: The CEPA is significant because Bangladesh will no longer be classified as a Least Developed Country (LDC) after 2026, impacting its access to Indian markets that are currently duty-free and quota-free.

c) Free Trade Agreement (FTA):

• Negotiations: Bangladesh is working towards finalizing an FTA with India and is also actively pursuing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) supported by China, which raises concerns for India.

3. Infrastructure:

a) Lines of Credit:

• Support: Since 2010, India has given more than $7 billion to Bangladesh for building things like roads and bridges.
• Key Projects:
  • Land Boundary Agreement (LBA): Solved in 2015, fixed arguments about borders that went on for a long time.
  • Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link: Started in 2023, connects Bangladesh with a part of India called Tripura, making it easier to reach ports like Chattogram and Mongla.

b) BIMSTEC Master Plan:

• Connectivity: Focuses on joining big road and rail projects in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, and setting up a sea transport system.
• Matarbari Port: India will give special attention to this port, being made by Bangladesh, to make a busy road connecting Dhaka and Northeast India.

c) Energy:

• Volume: Bangladesh buys around 2,000 MW of electricity from India.
• Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: In 2018, Russia, Bangladesh, and India agreed to build this plant, Bangladesh's first nuclear energy project.
• Thermal Power Plant Project: Important plans include the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant and the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.

4. Defence Cooperation: 

• Border Management: India and Bangladesh have a border that is 4096.7 kilometers long, which is the lengthiest land boundary India shares with any neighboring country.
• Joint Exercises: 
  • Army: They conduct Exercise Sampriti.
  • Navy: Their joint exercise is called Exercise Bongo Sagar.
• Multilateral Cooperation: 
  • Regional Forums: 
    • SAARC: It stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
    • BIMSTEC: This is the Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
    • IORA: Stands for the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Conclusion:

India must navigate the evolving political landscape in Bangladesh carefully, balancing security, economic, and diplomatic interests amidst the uncertainty following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q:1  With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (2017) 

1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim. 
2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta. 
3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

1. 1 and 3 only 
2. 2 only 
3. 2 and 3 only 
4. 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (b) 

Mains

Q:1 Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (2018)