After 15 years in power, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on Monday, August 5, amidst escalating protests and unrest. The military has since announced plans to form an interim government to stabilize the situation.
According to ANI, citing unnamed sources, Hasina landed at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, in a C-130 transport aircraft. The aircraft, monitored by Indian Air Force and security agencies, will be stationed near the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft hangars.
In a televised address, Army Chief General Waker-Us-Zaman confirmed that Sheikh Hasina, 76, had left Bangladesh, and an interim government would be established. Prior reports indicated she departed in a military helicopter with her sister, initially believed to be headed to Agartala, the capital of Tripura.
Throughout her tenure, Sheikh Hasina maintained a close relationship with India, which has been a crucial ally. The two countries share borders with several northeastern Indian states that have faced militant challenges for decades. Hasina’s administration has been instrumental in addressing these issues, cracking down on anti-India militant groups within Bangladesh and earning goodwill in Delhi.
Sheikh Hasina has consistently defended Dhaka’s strong ties with India since her first election in 1996. During a 2022 visit to India, she reminded the people of Bangladesh of India’s support during the 1971 independence war. However, her close ties with India have been criticized by opposition parties and activists, who argue that India should support the people of Bangladesh, not just a particular party.
The strategic relationship between India and Bangladesh has flourished over the past decade. Bangladesh has been a major beneficiary of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, receiving substantial grants and lines of credit aimed at boosting energy, financial, and physical connectivity. Notable achievements include the inauguration of the Maitri Setu bridge over the Feni River in Tripura and the launch of the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link.
Bangladesh is India’s largest development partner, with nearly one-fourth of New Delhi’s lines of credit commitments going to Dhaka. Bangladesh is also India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia, while India ranks as Bangladesh’s second-biggest trade partner in Asia. India remains Bangladesh’s largest export destination in Asia, with exports worth $2 billion during 2022-23.
As the situation develops, the future of Bangladesh’s political landscape is uncertain. The formation of an interim government will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, as stakeholders hope for stability and continued progress in Bangladesh-India relations.
Tags:
Global News