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Q.The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India?
UPSC Mains 2013•International Relations
Model Answer
View this Question In PYQ RealmIntroduction
The 2013 Shahbag Square protests in Dhaka, Bangladesh, erupted over demands for capital punishment for war criminals of the 1971 Liberation War. The movement highlighted a deep-seated societal divide between secular nationalists advocating for justice and democratic values, and Islamist forces led by the Jamaat-e-Islami. This ideological polarization carries profound political, economic, and strategic implications for India.
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Political Dimensions
- Support for Secular Forces: The resurgence of secular, nationalist sentiments aligned closely with India's interest in having a stable, secular neighbor. It strengthened New Delhi's relationship with the ruling Awami League, which shares historical ties with India.
- Countering Radicalization: A weakened Jamaat-e-Islami curtails the influence of religious extremism in Bangladesh, directly benefiting India's internal security. Historically, extremist groups like Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) have collaborated with insurgent outfits in India's Northeast.
- Bilateral Cooperation: A secular administration in Dhaka facilitates smoother bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism and border management.
Economic Dimensions
- Trade and Connectivity: A stable, secular Bangladesh is vital for bilateral trade (which reached $18 billion in 2022-23) and regional connectivity projects like the BBIN corridor and the Maitree Setu, boosting India's Act East Policy.
- Protection of Investments: Rising radicalism threatens substantial Indian investments in Bangladesh's infrastructure and energy sectors, such as the Rampal Power Plant.
- Curbing Informal Trade: Political instability often leads to a rise in smuggling and illegal trade across the porous border, adversely affecting local economies in India's northeastern states.
Strategic Dimensions
- Border Security: Destabilization caused by Islamist forces directly threatens the security of the 2,216 km shared border, potentially reviving cross-border insurgency and human trafficking.
- Migration Control: Increased religious extremism could trigger the displacement of minority communities in Bangladesh, leading to refugee crises in Indian states like Assam and West Bengal.
- Geopolitical Stability: A stable, secular Bangladesh acts as a critical buffer against expanding Chinese influence in the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh's active participation in BIMSTEC aligns with India's regional goals.
- Maritime Security: Political instability could disrupt joint maritime security operations and trade routes in the Bay of Bengal.
Conclusion
The Shahbag protests underscored an ideological struggle with direct consequences for India's national security and regional standing. Supporting secular governance in Bangladesh remains vital for maintaining regional peace, securing economic corridors, and managing border security.
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