Foreign Interests May Fuel Bangladesh Unrest, Says Former Indian Diplomat

Harsh Shringla, ex-Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, suggests foreign influence behind protests against Sheikh Hasina, indicating India's interest in restoring peace in Dhaka. He attributes the crisis to underlying economic factors exacerbated by COVID-19 and opportunistic political movements.

On Monday, Harsh Shringla, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Foreign Secretary, posited that foreign involvement may be fueling the ongoing unrest against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Shringla emphasized that it is in India's interest for peace to be restored in Dhaka.

"It is in India's interest that peace is restored in Dhaka. India will engage with whoever holds power in Bangladesh. The strong people-to-people relations between the two countries remain unwavering," said Shringla, pointing out that both economic factors and opportunists have exacerbated the political crisis in Bangladesh.

Shringla explained that while student protests seem to be at the forefront, the economic crisis, worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic, is a core issue. "On the surface, the crisis began with the students' quota issue, but deeper economic issues are at play. COVID-19 has severely impacted Bangladesh's economy. The Ukraine conflict has driven up prices of essential imports like fuel, food, and fertilizers, creating a tough balance of payments situation and increasing inflation by 17 to 20 percent," he noted.

He added, "These conditions have stirred public frustration, notably among the youth, leading to street protests." Pointing to opportunistic elements, he remarked, "Opportunists, including the opposition BNP and the radical Jamaat-e-Islami group, have joined the protests, infusing them with violence. Additionally, foreign interests hostile to Bangladesh and, by extension, India's security cannot be ruled out. Certain entities are clearly exploiting the unrest."

(With inputs from agencies.)