As Bangladesh actively participated in a crucial general election today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, poised for a continuation of her leadership with no opposition, expressed gratitude towards India, characterizing it as a "trusted friend." The 76-year-old leader recalled India's significant support during the 1971 Liberation War, emphasizing that it was New Delhi that provided shelter to the people of Bangladesh during that historic period.
Acknowledging India's pivotal role, Hasina underscored the close and enduring friendship between the two countries, emphasizing the support extended by India during the Liberation War and the subsequent refuge provided to Bangladeshis after the tumultuous events of 1975. In response to a question about her message to India on election day, Hasina conveyed, "We are very lucky. India is our trusted friend. During our Liberation War, they supported us. After 1975, when we lost our whole family, they gave us shelter. Our best wishes to the people of India."
The relationship between India and Bangladesh is characterized by historical, cultural, and economic ties, with recent years witnessing further strengthening of these bonds. The personal interactions between Prime Minister Hasina and her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, have played a significant role in advancing various bilateral initiatives, including connectivity projects, trade liberalization, and border management.
Prime Minister Hasina, leading the ruling Awami League, is poised to secure a fourth consecutive term as the head of the government, marking the fifth overall victory for her party. Notably, the general election is taking place in the absence of the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which opted for a boycott. The BNP, led by the ailing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, decided on this course of action after Hasina rejected its demand for her resignation to allow a caretaker government to oversee the election process.
In the lead-up to the poll, Bangladesh experienced a series of violent incidents, and there were reports of polling booths being set ablaze on the eve of the election. While experts credit Hasina for the remarkable economic growth achieved by the country, which was once grappling with poverty, her government has faced accusations of widespread human rights abuses and a forceful crackdown on the opposition.
