Hegemonic pursuits

India's top career diplomat, Vikram Misri, was in Bangladesh on Monday to defuse tensions between the two neighbours arising from the August overthrow of autocratic ex-premier Sheikh Hasina in a student-led revolution. Hasina's ouster underscores a complex diplomatic challenge for India as it seeks to maintain its regional hegemony. New Delhi strongly backed the ousted Bangladesh leader's rule. Since her ouster, tensions between the two countries have increased as India continues its assertive stance and offers refuge to Hasina. India has long considered Bangladesh an integral part of its sphere of influence, particularly due to the strong political and economic ties that have bound the two nations together since Bangladesh's independence in 1971. India viewed Hasina's rule as a stabilising force on its eastern border. New Delhi not only benefitted from her leadership in managing security issues, particularly with regard to insurgent groups and border management but also relied on her cooperation in countering China's growing footprint in South Asia.

With her ouster, India faces a new geopolitical reality as it no longer has a subservient Bangladesh on its border. The situation has been further complicated by accusations of religious violence against Bangladesh's Hindu minority, which India claims has been mishandled by the Yunus administration – a charge the new government in Dhaka denies. International relations are based on mutual respect and parity, but New Delhi sees itself as the superior state in the region and now has contentious relations with all its neighbours. It exerts undue pressure on its neighbours and engages in covert actions in its neighbourhood and as far away as Canada and USA. The international community must ensure that a hegemonic India is not given a free hand and adheres to international law and diplomatic norms.