How Hasina's downfall affected Bangladesh-India relations

After the fall of dictator Sheikh Hasina, the streets of Dhaka started to rejoice. But it makes India cautious. Because India has supported Hasina's government from the beginning to stop Islamists and China.

Hasina's fall has left India in a diplomatic dilemma. Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee to India on August 5 in the face of student and public fire.
Then when the interim government was formed under the leadership of Professor Yunus; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him first. He said that New Delhi is determined to work with Bangladesh.
Along with India, China immediately greeted the new government. They say their commitment to improving the relationship remains intact.
Since Sheikh Hasina's opponents are now in the government of Bangladesh. As a result, India's earlier support to Hasina has now become a source of fear for them.
International Crisis Group analyst Thomas Keen told news agency AFP, “In the eyes of people in Bangladesh — India has been on the wrong side for the past few years. The Indian government did not want to see any change in Bangladesh and in the last few years they have made it clear that they see no alternative to Hasina and the Awami League."

India considers others harmful

Bangladesh has borders with India on three sides. As a result, India has more influence here.

Being a big country, India and China have tried to expand their influence in other South Asian countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Despite this, Hasina managed to maintain a balanced relationship with India as well as China.

However, Hasina considered other political parties including BNP as a threat; India also considered them a threat.

Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute, told AFP, "India... fears Hasina and the Awami League's alternative could be detrimental to their interests." In the eyes of New Delhi, BNP and its allies are dangerous Islamist parties. These groups can endanger India's interests.”

Dr. Yunus, chief adviser to the caretaker government, said he would call fresh elections in a few months. There is a strong possibility of BNP coming to power through this election.

Indian media calls for an immediate stop to the damage done

Indian media say their country is now facing a "dreadful diplomatic challenge".

Influential media outlet Indian Express warned, “New Delhi must now act proactively to mitigate the damage and preserve existing good relations. This will include recent shocks.”

However, the new advisor Dr. Yunus mentioned that relations with India can be good. Yunus wrote a column in The Economist before coming to Bangladesh to take charge of the government. In it he wrote, "Although some countries including India have supported Hasina. As a result they have earned enmity from the common people of Bangladesh. But there will be many opportunities to resolve these conflicts."