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Speaking against the backdrop of worsening street violence and diplomatic retaliation between the two neighbours, Singh said the VHP’s action was avoidable and counterproductive.
“By VHP making it a public issue and creating chaos, it means you are playing into the hands of Bangladeshis. This is what they want,” he said.
Singh argued that India had other diplomatic options available, including formally expressing concerns through official channels. Comparing it with incidents in India, he asked whether foreign countries have ever protested outside Indian embassies over lynching or internal violence.
“You can call the High Commissioner. You can convey your concerns,” he said. He stressed that public demonstrations only increase tension.
The comments come days after the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a prominent youth leader and staunch critic of India, which led to widespread violence and arson across Bangladesh. Hadi, who played a key role in the uprising in July last year that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, was shot dead in Dhaka on December 12 and later died in Singapore. His death was followed by massive protests, attacks on political offices and media houses, and Islamic groups alleging that the attackers had fled to India.
According to Singh, the broader political and economic context in Bangladesh suggests that tensions are unlikely to subside any time soon. With Sheikh Hasina in India and facing the death penalty back home, and uncertainty over whether the Awami League will be allowed to contest the upcoming elections, the situation remains volatile. “India is waiting for this. This is the only card we can play at this time,” he said.
He also pointed to deep economic tensions in Bangladesh, noting that US duties have hurt apparel exports, the country’s major employer.
“Jobs are not available. Therefore, there is economic chaos in Bangladesh,” Singh said. He argued that domestic pressure was fueling public anger and instability.
Looking ahead to the February elections, Singh said the political field was fragmenting, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat-e-Islami and a new student-led party all competing for space. While the BNP may be relatively better for India, he warned that its past alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan’s interest in the outcome have complicated the picture.
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On India’s broader strategy, Singh said New Delhi currently has limited room for maneuver and should wait for the emergence of a government with a clear mandate.
“The current interim government has no mandate. It is only a transitional arrangement,” he said. He said that external players like America, China and Pakistan are closely monitoring the developments.
Singh cautioned that domestic political messaging also matters in India. He said using Bangladesh as a political tool during election campaigns, especially in the border states, only worsens bilateral relations.
“Unfortunately, the more you do that, the worse it will get for Bangladesh-India relations,” he said, underscoring the need for restraint at a sensitive moment in the relationship.
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