It has been three long years since the Rohingya people were forced to flee their homeland of Myanmar due to the ethnic cleansing of Muslims by the Myanmar government. The Bangladesh government took in almost 1 million Rohingya, being a developing country and lacking all the space and resources required to house such a large population of refugees.
There are many theories as to why Sheikh Hasina decided to engage in such a challenging mission. However, whether it be to entertain any ulterior motives or not, the bottom line is, when there was a grave humanitarian crisis at its border, Bangladesh came to the rescue of persecuted Muslims, persecuted men, women and children, persecuted human beings.
Time and time again since 2017, India has consistently abstained in voting in the United Nations General Assembly committee on the Rohingya issue on a resolution which called for a “dignified, voluntary and sustainable return” of the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar and calling for accountability for human rights violations. India’s support would have meant a great deal for Bangladesh.
Today, three years down the line, India says it wants to join in the repatriation talks. Why now?
Could it be because Bangladesh is more and more heavily tilted towards China for economical support and that Bangladeshis unanimously support a closer bond with China and Pakistan, India’s two arch enemies? Could it be that India realizes that its shift towards extremist Hindutva policies and blatant human rights violations against Muslims can be offensive to Bangladesh, a country with a 90% Muslim population? Could it be that India realizes finally that it really has no allies left in South Asia and that even Nepal, a Hindu majority country, rejects India’s bullying?
Whatever the reasons, it would be advisable for the leadership in Bangladesh to proceed with caution. Upsetting the balance with China would not be advisable nor possible, at this point. Between the two giants in South Asia, China and India, the latter clearly does not have the upper hand.
*Sabria Chowdhury Balland, Editor-in-Chief Aequitas Review
August 26, 2020
