What does India want? Why is it putting pressure for Tarique Rahman’s visit to India?

What does India want? Why is it putting pressure for Tarique Rahman’s visit to India?

Are Sheikh Hasina’s speech in India on 5 August, the bomb terror in the country, and the pressure for the visit all strung together on the same thread?

For the past few days, exaggerated media coverage of the recent United Nations report has been going on. One-sided interpretations are being presented targeting Bangladesh. Yet what the report actually contains is clear — the connection of the Red Fort attack in Delhi with AQIS and the mention of regional risks. Still, certain quarters have launched an attempt to use it against Bangladesh.

A few days before the publication of this report, Sheikh Hasina delivered anti-Bangladesh remarks in India. Bangladesh had requested India — but India did not honour that request. Giving a platform to a person sentenced to death for crimes against humanity to make such statements is an extreme violation of diplomacy. This is no ordinary incident.

What if the situation were reversed? If any convicted criminal of India — such as Dawood Ibrahim or Chhota Rajan — came to Bangladesh and delivered provocative statements against India, what would India do? Would they remain silent? Or would the sky fall? The answer to this question is still pending.

Alongside this, cocktail bomb terror has started. Attempts are being made to keep the situation heated. But Bangladesh has remained firm from the very beginning in protecting its national interests. Psychological pressure, diplomatic pressure — nothing has been left out. Yet Dhaka has not moved from its position.

What are India, some of their media (both in India and in Bangladesh), and individuals like Salauddin Shoaib Choudhury saying about this visit? Why are they so confidently declaring that the visit is definitely happening? That pressure will make it happen?

This Bangladesh is no longer the Bangladesh of the past that used to show subservience. A suitable environment is needed for the visit. Bangladesh wants Sheikh Hasina back. It wants the handover of the killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. There will be no visit before that.

Strong thanks to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for taking a firm position while upholding the country’s interests. People from all walks of life are saluting him.