One of the lowest voter turnouts in the troubled history of Bangladesh was seen in the 12th general elections, which concluded on Sunday. After prime minister Sheikh Hasina rejected the opposition Bangladesh National Party's (BNP) proposal for a caretaker government that would be impartial to oversee the elections, the low voting percentage was predicted. BNP decided to abstain from the elections as a result.
With this Sunday's vote, Prime Minister Hasina's Awami League (AL) is most likely to take government for a fourth consecutive and fifth overall term in this 170 million-strong country. However, the compulsions differ for those in India. It is in New Delhi's best interest for Hasina to regain power because she has shown herself to be a trustworthy ally. The Indian government views Hasina's rival Khaleda Zia, the leader of the BNP, as an enemy; some even go so far as to call her a Pakistani operative.
The re-election of Prime Minister Hasina is a positive sign for India, according to Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow in the Foreign Studies Program at Gateway House. During the past fifteen years, there has been friendly relations between the two nations, and both have shown consideration for one another's sensibilities.
India is cautious about excessive Chinese meddling in Bangladesh because China wants to stamp its authority on all of the countries surrounding it, with South Asia being no exception. This article examines South Asian geopolitics in detail and highlights how important the elections in Bangladesh are to India.
Along its borders with Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, and West Bengal, Bangladesh is encircled by India to nearly all sides. Formerly, separatists and insurgents from India have sought safe shelter, especially during periods when the BNP or the military dominated the nation. Moreover, it gave Islamists—both foreign and domestic—a launchpad for their activities throughout India.
