New Delhi has emphasized its commitment to democratic processes in Bangladesh, framing the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman as part of efforts toward free, fair, and inclusive national elections expected in February.
During a weekly briefing on Friday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India supports such elections and views Rahman’s arrival in this light. This phrasing mirrors New Delhi’s consistent response to queries about the ongoing ban on the Awami League, the party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has resided in India since August last year.
Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the late President Ziaur Rahman, returned to Dhaka on Thursday after 17 years in self-exile in the United Kingdom, receiving a warm reception from supporters.
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India has historically experienced tensions with the BNP, but regards it as a familiar political force compared to newer groups that have gained influence following Hasina’s departure over a year ago.
Jaiswal reiterated India’s stance when pressed on whether elections excluding the Awami League could be deemed inclusive, stressing the need for participation by all groups in a peaceful environment.
The spokesperson also voiced deep alarm over persistent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, condemning the recent lynching of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and calling for the perpetrators to face justice.
He highlighted reports from independent sources documenting over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities—including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists—under the interim government, involving killings, arson, and land grabs. Such events, Jaiswal noted, cannot be dismissed as exaggerations or mere political unrest.
Amid ongoing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh and reciprocal protests affecting diplomatic missions in both countries, Jaiswal affirmed New Delhi’s desire to bolster ties with the Bangladeshi people and promote stability.
Protests in Bangladesh, led by groups like the July Oikyo coalition, have demanded Hasina’s extradition following her sentencing, while demonstrations in India have decried violence against minorities.
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