- By Kamal Sikder
Ever since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime in Bangladesh, the Indian media has launched a coordinated smear campaign against the country, aimed at tarnishing its image on the international stage. This disinformation drive began in early August, when Hasina fled Bangladesh and sought refuge in India. Indian news outlets began broadcasting fabricated stories and doctored images, falsely claiming widespread persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. These accusations were quickly debunked, revealing the Indian media’s failed attempt to paint Bangladeshis in a negative light. These hostile narratives seem to align with directives from the Modi government, showing a political agenda behind the media onslaught.
In particular, Indian media has been fabricating tensions between India and Bangladesh following the rise of Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who now leads Bangladesh’s interim government after the August Revolution. Despite Yunus’ government advocating for an equal and sovereign relationship with all countries—including India—Indian media outlets have repeatedly issued threats and warnings to Bangladesh. Many of these warnings are seen as indirect messages from the Indian government, delivered via media channels rather than formal diplomatic ones.
An Op-Ed by Jaideep Mazumdar, a pro-BJP Bengali journalist, published in the BJP-affiliated online platform SwarajyaMag, exemplifies this aggressive rhetoric. Titled “India Must Draw Clear Red Lines for the New Regime in Bangladesh,” the article suggests a condescending view of Bangladesh, asserting that the country must act in India’s interest to maintain friendly relations. Mazumdar implies that Bangladesh, under its new leadership, should heed India’s dictates, framing these as “red lines” which, in reality, resemble commands.
Mazumdar’s article lays out what amounts to a foreign policy and defense strategy dictated by India, as though Bangladesh has no autonomy in shaping its own national interests. For instance, the article states that Bangladesh must not demand the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar already dismissing such requests diplomatically. This “red line” is nothing short of India imposing its will on Bangladesh’s legal and political process, suggesting any move against Hasina would provoke a harsh response from India.
Further, Mazumdar warns that Bangladesh must steer clear of fostering ties with Pakistan, claiming that India would not tolerate any such relationships. This amounts to an alarming level of interference in Bangladesh’s sovereign foreign policy decisions. The article also criticizes Bangladesh’s support for reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which India opposes. Mazumdar argues that India’s preferred regional grouping—the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) initiative—should replace SAARC, essentially cutting out Pakistan from the equation.
Regarding Bangladesh’s core policy of Balancing relations between India, China, and Pakistan Mr Majumdar wrote that, Bangladesh must be warned against engaging in such “diplomatic misadventures,” with claims that this would harm bilateral ties while having “zero effect” on India itself.
However, this viewpoint is not only condescending but dismissive of Bangladesh’s sovereign right to manage its foreign relations independently. By implying that Bangladesh should prioritize India’s interests over its own and refrain from engaging with other global powers like China or regional players like Pakistan, these statements undermine the notion of equal diplomatic partnerships.
The suggestion that Bangladeshi diplomats be lectured on their country’s economic or internal challenges is particularly problematic. It assumes that Bangladesh lacks the agency or competence to navigate its own national issues, reinforcing a paternalistic attitude that does little to foster genuine cooperation. While Bangladesh faces economic and political challenges, as many countries do, the idea that it must “set its own house in order” before being allowed to maintain a balanced foreign policy is both insulting and unrealistic.
Moreover, the notion that Bangladesh “cannot afford to irritate, much less anger, India” is a thinly veiled threat. It suggests that India holds a position of dominance, while Bangladesh must simply comply to avoid repercussions. Such rhetoric fosters resentment rather than respect, making constructive dialogue more difficult. Friendship between nations should be based on mutual respect and shared interests, not on fear or coercion.
This kind of rhetoric from Indian media signals a broader attempt by the Indian government to impose its dominance over Bangladesh and other South Asian neighbors. The threats and warnings issued through these outlets reflect a master-servant mentality, where India expects its smaller neighbors to fall in line with its strategic objectives. Such a stance disregards the principle of equal sovereignty and mutual respect that should govern relations between neighboring countries.
For true bilateral cooperation to flourish, India must move away from this hegemonic mindset and engage with Bangladesh as an equal partner in the region, respecting its sovereignty and understanding that diplomatic engagement with multiple powers is a legitimate strategy for any nation seeking to safeguard its own national interests. A healthier approach for New Delhi would be to recognize and respect Bangladesh’s growing importance in the region, as well as its right to engage with any nation that serves its interests. Encouraging strong, cooperative ties between the two countries should involve acknowledging Bangladesh’s independence and fostering partnerships based on mutual respect, rather than dictating terms or drawing arbitrary “red lines.”
The current government in Bangladesh, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, seeks to establish an independent and balanced foreign policy, free from the subservience that characterized Sheikh Hasina’s regime. India’s media campaign, which is intertwined with political motives, is a clear attempt to undermine this new government’s efforts to redefine its international relations. The people of Bangladesh and their government must raise their voices against this audacious behavior by Indian media and demand respect for their nation’s sovereignty.
Bangladesh is not a pawn in India’s geopolitical games, and its foreign and defense policies should not be dictated by outside forces. It is crucial for Bangladesh to push back against these aggressive narratives and assert its right to determine its own course on the global stage. Only through standing up to such external pressure can Bangladesh ensure a future where its interests are prioritized and respected, both regionally and internationally.
- Kamal Sikder is a UK Data Scientist, Journalist, and TV Presenter.
