Dhaka: The circumstance of bilateral relations between India & Bangladesh has moved to a new phase of volatility with fresh allegations adding to a souring influence in the neighbouring country ties. In the same course further escalating the tension between two sides Bangladesh has claimed to have proof about forced disappearance in its territories by India.
The allegations were raised in the recent statement of the chairman of the five-member commission probing forced disappearance, former judge Mainul Islam Chowdhury. Chowdhury had given a report on “Unfolding the Truth” to Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Yunus said that the commission evidences India’s complicity in the forced disappearance happening in Bangladesh. Police source have revealed that there may still be some detainees in Indian gaols.
The detailed report from the commission claims that given in the public domain, India is involved in forced disappearances in Bangladesh. At first, an interim report of the commission blamed the past Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her administration this sort of forced disappearance. Nevertheless, due to the final reports the blame is put on India and thus mass diplomacy tensions get escalated.
In its recommendations the commission advised the Foreign Ministry and the Home Ministry to prepare a list of potential Bangladeshis who could be arrested in India. While the commission admitted that the probe went beyond Bangladesh’s state frontiers was beyond the legal mandate set for it. ’It is for this reason that the authors of the mentioned report pointed out the fact that it is necessary to advance to a more detailed examination of India’s participation and the emerging consequences for both countries.
The said claims have worsened the tension between the two countries whose relations have sometimes been cordial and sometimes hostile. The recent change brings some serious issues to question and start crucial debate to respond to the problems mentioned.
While this narrative unfolds, everyone will watch the diplomatic manoeuvres from New Delhi and Dhaka about how the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh will shape up in the next few months.