Sovereignty under strain

In the intricate world of South Asian politics, the relationship between India and Bangladesh is both crucial and fragile, caught between cooperation and tension. Only recently an official visit of India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka on December 9, 2024 has brought these tensions into the forefront. Misri's strong and blunt statements during the visit again raised concerns in Bangladesh about India's involvement in its internal affairs. Dhaka reacted angrily and there are questions regarding the future of bilateral relations.

Bangladesh has a special feeling of identity crisis with the liberation war of 1971 when India was of great help. However, the historical relationship has not been without its problems. Many Bangladeshis have considered India's continued interference in its internal affairs, in the name of protecting Hindu minorities or the improvement of bilateral relations, as intrusive. For a country that fought for its sovereignty such actions have been difficult to swallow.

This alone has been the case for a long time now and the recent diplomatic exchange does not help in this regard either. Bangladesh was offended when Misri encouraged a 'constructive approach' towards cultural and religious events. In response, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin reaffirmed the country's commitment to religious freedom asserting that "people of all religions in Bangladesh freely practice their faiths" and that such matters are "internal affairs" on which external comments are unwelcome. This stinging exchange highlights the emerging lack of trust as Bangladesh perceives that Indian interferences are becoming a constant threat to its independence.

This diplomatic tension is rooted in other unresolved animosities. Even though India has helped Bangladesh during the liberation war, some problems like the killing of Bangladeshi people by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and allegation of Indian intelligence agency RAW's interference in Bangladesh affairs still evoke people's resentment. Further, trade imbalance and the unresolved Teesta river water sharing issue have been the major causes of the growing feeling of being neglected in Bangladesh.

In response, Bangladesh is shifting its foreign policy, seeking stronger ties with countries like China and Pakistan, signaling a desire to reduce dependence on India. This shift is about more than just politics or economics; it is a clear statement of Bangladesh's intention to forge partnerships based on respect and equality, not one-sided dominance.

India's policy toward its smaller neighbours is thought of as overbearing and the current situation with Bangladesh is a good example of the dangers of such policy. The same can be said about India's behaviour towards Nepal: every time it tries to increase its pressure - like in 2015 when New Delhi imposed a blockade over the border dispute - it causes tension and hostility. Another example is Sri Lanka where Indian intervention in the internal affairs of the country, especially after the Tamil civil war, has caused tension. Like other nations of the region, Bangladesh is not ready to accept being sidelined or controlled any more.

For Bangladesh this is the time to reinvent itself in the South Asian context, presenting itself as a nation that is fair and ready to work for the betterment of the region. For India it should be a wake-up call that building good relations with neighbours entails understanding their concerns and respecting their sovereignty rather than dominating them.

In this regard, India needs to know that sovereignty is an unyielding concept. Bangladesh has been firm in response to pressure, as it has now grown to be an independent nation and is willing to be different in the region.

This diplomatic episode underscores a broader reality: sovereignty is not only a theory but a process which is still changing the face of international relations. When Bangladesh claims full independence and starts to avoid side-picking in its foreign policy, it becomes a role model for other states which face the same issues. For South Asia, this evolution has come at a time when the region is at the crossroads of redefining the balance of power and cooperation in the region.