Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 36-hour visit will have a long-term impact on local politics if Bangladesh fails to realise the national interest-related benefits from India, analysts say.
Modi met the leaders of all major political parties and everyone who have talked to the Indian PM have said that the visit would help in cementing a bilateral relationship.
Mizanur Rahman Shelley, a noted political scientist, said: “Modi’s visit had a tremendous immediate impact; in broad terms the impact was largely positive. Nevertheless, if one takes a closer look, there are certain gaps which are not addressed tactfully and in time may lead to worsening rather than improvement of Indo-Bangladesh relations.”
Shelley, who is a former minister, also said: “This would have a dangerous negative effect on domestic politics. The ruling party which has the most to gain from Modi’s visit and improve the Bangladesh-India relationship would lose its standing in the public eye if the issues of just distribution of common river waters, correcting the adverse balance of trade and border killing of Bangladeshi people by BSF are not addressed seriously and as soon as possible.”
He, however, cautioned that if timely action is not taken by India, the emotional upsurge in Bangladesh following Modi’s visit may not last very long.
Another political scientist Ataur Rahman said: “All the political parties showed that their sentiments were pro-India rather than anti-India.” Ataur, however, cautioned that the political leadership has to be very careful during negotiations so that India cannot take advantage of the political division in Bangladesh.
“Political leadership should keep in mind that national interests should not be compromised. If that happens, anti-Indian sentiments would grow and it will not be good for any government,” he said.
Before Modi came to Dhaka, the main political opposition BNP in a press conference welcomed the visit. They said they were not anti-India and wanted to have a good relation. Right-wing political party Jamaat-e-Islami, a key component of the BNP-led alliance, also welcomed Modi. On Sunday, Modi held a meeting with Khaleda, who said afterwards that it was a very good meeting.
Tareque Shamsur Rahman, professor of international relations at Jahangirnagar University, said: “All the political parties praised Modi’s visit and saw it positively. But if people’s interests are not served properly, then anti-India sentiment will grow.”
