IN her first visit abroad as the Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is coming to Bangladesh on 25th June. High expectations are running through both countries intelligentsia that she would initiate change in Congress’s policy of supporting anti-democratic regimes in neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh in the hope of showing its domineering role. That is the strong perception in public mind of Bangladesh when the Congress leaders of those days were found over enthusiastic in supporting voter less election engineered by retired bureaucrats of Awami League.
The Congress government’s open cooperation in such a move to deny the people their right to choose their government did not look fair. The political legitimacy and political uncertainty prevailing in Bangladesh cannot be good for peace and stability in Bangladesh. Instability in Bangladesh, cannot be good either for better and more fruitful cooperation between the two countries — India and Bangladesh. India must not make the mistake that the liberation of Bangladesh was for democratic rights and economic justice. India’s support for this cause made us all grateful to India and Indian people.
Although a wide range of bilateral issues would be discussed during Sushma’s Dhaka visit but we are sure our government will not find it easy to convince Sushma Swaraj how an unstable government will be helpful for Bangladesh and its friendly relationship with India.
Earlier on May 27, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Bangladesh of looking into two long-pending issues – Teesta water sharing deal and Land Boundary Agreement (LBA). We feel reassured that Modi government will be a true and just friend of Bangladesh.
