- By Kamal Kumar
- Mon, 05 Aug 2024 09:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bangladesh Protests: India's eastern neighbour and one of the closest countries in terms of people-to-people ties, Bangladesh, witnessed a swift political crisis on Monday as month-long anti-quota violent protests culminated in the fall of the government. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who recently won the Bangladesh general elections to secure a consecutive third and overall fourth term, had to step down and leave the country in a bid to safeguard herself and her family. With her ousting, Army General Waker-Uz-Jaman declared the formation of an interim government, over which the armed forces are likely to hold greater sway.
With Bangladesh falling into absolute chaos, the whole of the Indian subcontinent, except New Delhi, sinks further into the political abyss as neighbouring nations from Pakistan to Myanmar, face significant social, political and economic instabilities.
India's Neighbours And A Story Of Chaos
Bangladesh: Dhaka has witnessed a significant improvement in its economy over the last 15 years. With global companies setting up manufacturing units in water and labour-rich countries, it delivered a consistent average growth rate of 5.8 per cent from 1994 to 2023. While economic reforms were a highlight in the country, growing communalisation and radicalisation remained a big issue.
However, the ultra-conservationist factions in Bangladesh polity, such as Jamaat-e-Islami, became successful in ousting the democratically elected government of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League.
Sri Lanka: The island nation and a southern Indian neighbour, Colombo witnessed a steep rise in commodity prices and hyperinflation coupled with a poor GDP growth rate following the Covid-19 hit. A sudden uprising was witnessed among people after Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa government failed to save the economy of the country.
Amid violent clashes and instability, Prime Minister Rajapaksa resigned on May 9, 2022. The next day, he and his family fled to the Trincomalee navy base for security, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
Pakistan: After former Prime Minister Imran Khan was abruptly removed by the country's national assembly in April 2022 in a no-confidence motion, Pakistan too fell into a long-lasting political catastrophe. With its severe economic instability, Islamabad is facing severe political and social fractures, terrorism and uprisings against the current regime.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan is experiencing a severe political and social crisis, marked by economic collapse, widespread poverty, and a humanitarian emergency. The abrupt withdrawal of U.S. troops in August 2021 led to the Taliban's rapid takeover, reversing two decades of progress in women's rights, education, and civil liberties.
The new regime's strict interpretation of Islamic law has sparked international concern and condemnation. Internal displacement, food insecurity, and lack of healthcare are exacerbating the plight of millions.
Myanmar: Myanmar is probably in the most volatile situation among all neighbouring countries of India. The Himalayan nation is marred by brutal civil war with the Junta targeting civilians and rebels with airstrikes, while opposing forces have launched severe attacks to gain as much area as possible. India also suffered the fallout of the Myanmar crisis as many civilians and rebels fled to Mizoram and Manipur in search of refuge.
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How Will Neighbourhood Mayhem Affect New Delhi?
"In today’s world, no walls can separate humanitarian or economic crises from one another." These words of wisdom by former US President Barack Obama probably fit right into what India is witnessing currently. A geo-political turmoil in the country's neighbourhood will impact not only the people-to-people exchanges but it will also create further issues of regional security, humanitarian crisis and economic fallout.
With the veil of chaos setting in over the subcontinent, consequences have started showing up for India. With Pakistan, it is a rise in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, while the civil unrest in Bangladesh led to attacks on minorities and Hindu temples soon after today's events.
The Rohingya crisis and subsequent civil war in Myanmar have also impaired the healthy bilateral relationship between the two countries. In Afghanistan, India witnessed a significant setback as New Delhi was deeply invested in a democratic and secular country - which was overturned into an ultra-traditionalist nation by the Taliban.