Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ According to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, the advancement of Bangladesh depends on robust ties with India. This assertion stems from the geographical reality that both nations share an extensive border spanning several thousand kilometers. Hasan, who also serves as the joint general secretary of the ruling Awami League party under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, articulated these views while addressing queries, particularly in response to a failed social media campaign advocating for the boycott of Indian products.
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Mahmud underscored the importance of nurturing amicable relations with India, considering the shared border spanning several thousand kilometers on three sides. He pointed out that the maintenance of peace and stability within Bangladesh is intrinsically linked to fostering positive ties with its neighboring nation. He stated, “Our development is not possible without maintaining good relations with the country (India) with which we have a common border of several thousand kilometers on three sides”.
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These remarks were prompted by inquiries concerning the “India boycott” campaign circulating on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, which garnered minimal attention. This campaign, widely speculated to be affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former premier Khaleda Zia, openly criticized India’s support of Prime Minister Hasina’s Awami League during the January 7 elections. However, Mahmud attributed the source of the campaign directly to the BNP, alleging its intent to cause trouble in the domestic market and undermine Bangladesh’s economic stability. He dismissed the campaign as ineffective and warned of further isolation for the BNP if they resurrect such initiatives. Mahmud also urged the populace to reject any renewed agenda proposed by the BNP to boycott Indian products.
Even though there is no explicit endorsement from the BNP, media analysts say that the campaign may have been launched by social media influencers who are opposed to the ruling party, many of whom operate from outside Bangladesh. In a recent diplomatic engagement, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra visited Bangladesh, holding discussions with Prime Minister Hasina and other prominent leaders to reaffirm New Delhi’s enduring bilateral relationship with Dhaka. The discussions spanned various domains, including security, water management, trade and investment, energy, defense, connectivity, and sub-regional cooperation.
During this inaugural visit by a high-level official following the formation of Bangladesh’s new government in January 2024, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Foreign Secretary of India, extended an invitation to Prime Minister Hasina to visit New Delhi. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first global leader to extend wishes to Hasina upon her re-election.
