Diplomatic Correspondent :Indian External Affairs Minister’s visit was rightly described as for assessment of the situation prevailing in Bangladesh. This only explains that the situation in reality is that the government of Bangladesh is facing the crisis of calling itself elected when the election was farcically voter less. It is essential for the new government of Narendra Modi to understand the political situation in Bangladesh for engaging in a stable relationship to avoid misunderstanding of the people of Bangladesh. The role of the previous Indian Congress government and its impact among the people of Bangladesh also needed due assessment. So, it can be said that the decision of sending the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was well considered. She did not come to make commitment or discuss the long standing disputes between India and Bangladesh.The public perception is that despite international insistence on an inclusive, free and fair election it is because of the lone support of the Congress government that the Awami League government could defy popular legitimacy and engineered election to avoid inevitable defeat. The government itself has made it very much open when it is not willing to face the people in any early inclusive election. The External Affairs Minister must be briefed to let her know about unpopularity of Awami League government does not necessarily mean popularity of BNP in the opposition. The election system is flawed because of the absence of democratic change in party leadership. The country needs stable politics for dependable and stable relations with our friendly countries, including the nearest and the most needed neighbouring country, India. It is interesting to note when the most circulated newspaper in West Bengal Ananda Bazar Patrika tells the External Affairs Minister to go to Bangladesh to taste Hilsha fish. It may be interpreted also to mean that Swaraj has to test the water in Bangladesh. But the Minister herself was clear in saying that she is here to know and understand the circumstances in Bangladesh.
