In the midst of ongoing General Elections in India, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to visit New Delhi as early as next month. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and other top officials are set to head to Dhaka soon to finalize the travel details.
Originally, the visit was planned for April 20, but it got postponed unexpectedly without any explanation. However, government sources now suggest the visit will happen soon.
Some speculate that India wants to assure Hasina before the election results and perhaps send a message to neighboring countries about the predicted outcome. Initially, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh formally invited Hasina to visit India at the end of June, but Bangladesh expressed concerns about her busy schedule, including trips to Thailand and Geneva.
Now, India hopes to host Hasina before her China trip. China’s involvement in the Teesta delta development project adds complexity to the situation. Dhaka has urged New Delhi to take up the project, emphasizing its location within Bangladesh’s borders.
Security concerns in Myanmar also loom large, leading both India and Bangladesh to temporarily close their consulates in Sittwe. This move has significantly impacted trade with Southeast Asia, prompting both countries to seek closer cooperation on security matters.
What could be the agenda? And why the visit now?
Sharing his thoughts with Financial Express Online, Bangladesh Commentator and senior journalist, Gautam Lahiri says: “Generally when a country undergoes General Election diplomacy takes a back seat till the formation of a new government takes place. But in the case of Bangladesh, it is somewhat unusual. The Ministry of External Affairs took the initiative to invite Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as early as possible.”
“Reason could be a complicated security scenario in Myanmar where fierce fighting is ongoing between the junta and rebel ethnic groups. This has a direct impact on both India and Bangladesh. Secondly, PM Hasina may visit China sometime in July. Before that South Block wants to have bilateral dialogue to find a new path-breaking initiative. China is insisting on taking up the Teesta River Delta development plan by pumping billions of dollars. Knowing fully well the sensitivity of New Delhi on the project given to China, Hasina wants to impress on India to take up that project pending signing of water sharing agreement,” says Lahiri.
Moreover, according to him, “after the poll of Bangladesh radical elements with the support of opposition BNP had started raising anti-India pitch. Therefore, to pacify the people Hasina is desperate to take forward the Teesta Delta development project with the building of a reservoir and dredging of the river.”
