There has been some tension between the participants in the Bay of Bengal dialogue over the return of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in a student uprising. But later the negotiators of both sides spread warmth by normalizing the situation through humor.
This special session on Bangladesh-India relations titled 'Bridging Divides: Navigating the Complexities of India-Bangladesh Relations' was held at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital today. This session is held under the 'Chatham House Policy'. This means that a specific statement or quote cannot be published with the name of a specific speaker. The entire discussion can be published.
One of the Bangladeshi negotiators in the dialogue wants advice, what should Bangladesh do about Sheikh Hasina taking refuge in India? The two Indian negotiators said the issue could be discussed after it moves through the legal process. At one stage of the discussion on this issue, tension was created. At one point, everyone laughed at this speech of an Indian negotiator.
Suhasini Haider, the diplomatic editor of the Indian media The Hindu, appeared on the X platform after the dialogue to summarize that topic. It is the first meeting between former diplomats, researchers and journalists of India and Bangladesh since August 5, he wrote in a post. Some exciting moments and warmth.'
On one side of the discussion table, Ali Riaz, the head of the Bangladesh Constitution Reform Commission and Distinguished Professor of Illinois State University, New Age editor Nurul Kabir, Chakma Circle head Debashish Roy, Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) executive director Fahmida Khatun, Colgate University teacher Naveen Murshid and Shafkat Munir is a research fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS).
On the other side were former Indian diplomat and OP Jindal Global University professor Sriradha Dutta, Millennial India International Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture president Anil Trigunayat, former army commander Arun K Sahni, former Indian diplomat Ashok Sajnahar, research from India's Institute of Defense Studies and Analysis. Fellow Shruti S. Patnaik and Suhasini Haider, Diplomatic Editor of Indian newspaper The Hindu.
The dialogue discussed six aspects of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations—border demarcation, common river water sharing, bilateral trade, Rohingya crisis, cultural relations and recent politics and climate change and environment. The discussion was moderated by Parvez Karim Abbasi, Senior Research Fellow, CGS.
At the end of the two-hour discussion, a Bangladeshi negotiator wanted to know from the Indians that Sheikh Hasina fled to India after the killing of around 1500 people in Bangladesh. He is responsible for this murder. India gave him asylum. What should Bangladesh do now?
In response, an Indian negotiator spoke about a few issues, but Sheikh Hasina did not directly say anything about it. He said, in bilateral relations, if a specific issue is not discussed, no other issue will be discussed – this mentality needs to be avoided.
After that, a Bangladeshi negotiator said that for the first time in the two-hour discussion, a Bangladeshi negotiator brought up the topic of Sheikh Hasina. But the Indian negotiator avoided reply. Then the Indian negotiator said, he did not understand the question.
After his remarks, Bangladeshi negotiator Sheikh Hasina spoke again on the subject. He said, after a dictator escaped, the Indian government sent officials to receive him. He had never seen anything like this before.
At this stage, the Indian negotiator said that Sheikh Hasina has not been returned to Bangladesh under the bilateral prisoner exchange agreement. The issue can be discussed after asking for refund.
Another Indian negotiator also spoke on the issue. He said that all the talk about Sheikh Hasina is in the media and people's discussions. The trial in the court is not over yet. Bangladesh government also did not ask India to return him. The matter should be discussed after asking for refund.
Among the Bangladeshi negotiators who raised the issue of Sheikh Hasina at the beginning, he said at this stage that he did not ask any questions. Just wanted advice.
Then an Indian negotiator said to the Bangladeshi negotiator, if he is in the government of Bangladesh, if he wants to seek refuge in India if necessary, India will also give him shelter. Everyone laughed after his speech.
The Awami League government collapsed on August 5 in a student uprising. Sheikh Hasina fled to India. He has been there ever since.
Border killings, water distribution and Rohingya issue
Bangladeshi negotiators cited the killing of Bangladeshi citizens at the border as a major problem. In response, Indian negotiators said that not only Bangladeshis are killed at the border, but also Indians – it is a problem for both sides. It has been talked about for years. Now to find a solution.
A Bangladeshi negotiator asked why the Indian media did not promote the killing of Indians seriously. In response, an Indian negotiator said, speech does not create the media, it creates the state. The same can be seen in the media of Bangladesh as well as India.
An Indian negotiator admits that India's 'report card' on shared river water sharing is not good. Another negotiator suggested finding other solutions to the Teesta issue besides water flow. Then a Bangladeshi negotiator said, if water flow is the solution, then why not discuss it.
Regarding the Teesta Agreement, Indian negotiators said that the central government of India cannot do everything it wants. Because the state is a federal system, it depends on the state government. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has her own politics when it comes to Teesta water distribution. A Bangladeshi negotiator said that the crisis of trust is the biggest problem here. India did not shut down the Farakka Dam for 40 days on a trial basis. After discussing the Rohingya issue for some time, the two negotiators from Bangladesh and India agreed that the Rohingyas would not go back if Myanmar did not grant them citizenship.
'Relationships should be based on reality'
At the end of the talks, the negotiators of Bangladesh and India said that the two countries have more than 4,000 kilometers of border and have great trade relations. Just as Bangladesh needs to maintain good relations with India, India also needs to maintain good relations with Bangladesh. India should relate to the state and not to any particular political party. The relations between the two countries should be advanced by considering the reality and not the emotions. An Indian negotiator said at the end that India trusted the Awami League government for its security needs. If the new government of Bangladesh assures security, then the future will see a lot of good things. Bangladeshi negotiators said at the end, there should be mutual respect in bilateral relations.
