Bangladesh is currently experiencing significant developments that impact its relationship with India. The recent resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a key ally to India since 2009, introduces uncertainties in bilateral relations . Her departure may stall progress on the Free Trade AgreemenRead more
Bangladesh is currently experiencing significant developments that impact its relationship with India. The recent resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a key ally to India since 2009, introduces uncertainties in bilateral relations . Her departure may stall progress on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) discussions initiated in October 2023, affecting market access and economic ties between the two nations.
*Key Developments:*
– Elections and Disconnect: The 2024 elections in Bangladesh were marked by the Opposition’s boycott, limited democratic space, erosion of human rights, economic downturn, and high youth unemployment .
– Student Protests: The government’s handling of student protests exacerbated tensions, contributing to Prime Minister Hasina’s resignation .
– Bangladesh Army’s Role: The army appears to be facilitating the will of the people by removing the beleaguered Prime Minister and restoring democratic processes .
*Implications for India:*
– Stability and Fundamentalism: Bangladesh’s escalating protests, financial crisis, and rising fundamentalist forces pose challenges for regional stability .
– Refugee Crisis: Instability in Bangladesh could spill over into India, affecting border security and potentially leading to a refugee crisis .
– Economic Ties: Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in the subcontinent, with bilateral trade amounting to $13 billion in 2023-24 .
– Infrastructure and Connectivity: India’s lines of credit to Bangladesh, totaling $8 billion since 2016, may be impacted by the changing political landscape .
India needs to navigate this changing landscape carefully, strengthening bilateral ties, supporting stability, and addressing shared challenges .
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The changes which have been introduced in the Indian Constitution in the recent past have shifted the balance of federal landscape and administration further to the Centre. For example, the Centre abrogated Article 370 in August 2019 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, whichRead more
The changes which have been introduced in the Indian Constitution in the recent past have shifted the balance of federal landscape and administration further to the Centre. For example, the Centre abrogated Article 370 in August 2019 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, which made most of the state’s autonomy nugatory, reporting directly to New Delhi. This was a particularly clear sign of a more active and dominant policy on the part of the central government in relation to the states, especially in matters of a federal character. For instance, while the 101st amendment in 2017 has integrated GST, it has necessitated the centralisation of tax collections. While this aided in the process of tax simplification it restricted the autonomy of the states on fiscal policy and made them more dependent on central grants. These changes have impacted local governance by reducing the ability and capacity of the state government to tackle issues that are local or peculiar to any region. Battles over centralization of power occurred concerning the loss of control over the economy and the management of specific regions, and the consequences of this for variation and autonomy of states. In this regard the change has generated questions on the efficiency of regional governance structures and capacity of states to address population needs where there is no adequate decentralization.
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