The importance of the current administration, in the current geo-political context, will be highlighted in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Washington. Last month, Modi went as the invited head of state to the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. It was then that South Block had planned to raise the issue of Bangladesh. But due to lack of time it was not possible.
New Delhi wants to tell America that Bangladesh's importance in the Indo-Pacific region is considerable. It is not advisable to do anything there now, so that a positive message goes to the fundamentalists, fanatics, and terrorists in the country. PM Hasina's government recently announced a 15-point outline around the Indo-Pacific region. It has been said to build a liberal, peaceful, secure, and inclusive system for the prosperity of the region. According to sources, New Delhi also wants to tell Washington that nothing should be done so that the Awami League government leans towards China.
A day after the United States threatened to impose restrictions on Bangladeshi nationals who are connected to potential electoral fraud, Bangladesh has pledged genuine measures to ensure free and fair elections. India, which is close to both the US (its strategic ally) and Bangladesh (its most reliable friend in South Asia), has played a crucial role by encouraging moderation on both sides.
What is India's motivation regarding the elections in Bangladesh? Delhi has seemingly always had Dhaka's best interests in mind, given India's role in Bangladesh's liberation. However, there's more to it -- a happy, healthy neighbour is always a wise purchase.
Given that Bangladesh, a neighbour, is its closest and most dependable ally, India has given this visa policy great consideration. India has been closely monitoring how the US decision has been received and any potential political fallout in the friendly neighboring nation.
Bangladesh is significant to India for a variety of reasons. Connectivity between India's mainland and the important northeast, which is a component of India's "Look East" Policy, may be at the top of the list.
The Siliguri Corridor (also known as the Chicken's Neck), a slender stretch of land that has long been a significant security concern, served as the only link between the northeast and India's mainland. A sizable portion of the nation gets severed when the Chicken's Neck gets snapped. Due to the several agreements that India and Bangladesh have made, Bengal and Tripura can now be connected by sending products and people over land from India to Bangladesh. India is now considerably better connected to the northeast than it was previously thanks to the opening of Chittagong port to Indian vessels, which will facilitate the delivery of products.
The prevention of Bangladesh serving as a haven for Indian militants is another step in maintaining the northeast's security. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has performed admirably, driving northeastern terrorists out of Bangladesh and even turning over ULFA militant Anup Chetia to India, who was formerly feared.
The other major security concern for India is for Bangladesh to not become an epicentre of Islamist terrorism in the southeast, which appeared to be possible in the early 2000s when Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh was on the warpath and its leader, Bangla Bhai, terrorized both India and Bangladesh. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the one who actively clamped down on organizations like the JMB that had free reign during the BNP's prior administration.
Then there's China.
The connections between India, Bangladesh, and China are intertwined. Bangladesh should not be included in China's "String of Pearls" plot to encircle India with the help of its neighbours. Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, Myanmar, and even the Seychelles have all followed this pattern.
Despite accepting the Rohingya refugees, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has received criticism from Western media both in the run up to the upcoming election and in the past for alleged human rights breaches. Analysts in India believe this is a plot by the West to put pressure on Hasina.
However, geography is not everything, as there is also industry. Indian industries are seriously interested in investing in Bangladesh given its GDP and economic growth. The country has had an economic resurgence under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which the business community expects will sustain. And, of course, Bangladesh's current stability and prosperity are important to India.
The recent articles and reports by Indian writers and news outlets clearly indicate India's growing concern over the US visa policy. Though the Indian authorities haven't formally clarified their stance on the issue, Indian analysts, journalists, and its civil society have delivered ample concern against US's meddling in Bangladesh. The subtle statements from Indian media outlets clearly indicate that India will negotiate with the US in favour of their trusted neighbor.
Samara Ashrat is PhD fellow, International Relations, University of Bucharest.