Skirting the issue

There have been several rounds of discussions between the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh since 2017, but issues like the persecution of religious minorities (read Hindus) in the neighbouring country or illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals into India did not figure even once. This has been revealed by the Ministry of External Affairs recently in a detailed note. So what did Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina talk about in their parleys? ‘Feelgood’ issues mostly, it turns out — like invoking shared history, culture, language and values in re-affirming bilateral ties, impressive pace of socio-economic development in Bangladesh, common aspirations for peace and collective prosperity in the region, and strengthening defence cooperation, trade and connectivity. Of course, the two leaders resolved to deal firmly with terror and work for mutual security. Ever since Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina took over reins at Dhaka, both UPA and NDA regimes in New Delhi have been at pains to shore up her rule and keep out the Islamists. Dhaka pushed out militant leaders like Arabinda Rajkhowa and Ranjan Daimary, and a grateful New Delhi agreed among other things to exchange border enclaves and stop the BSF shooting at infiltrators. While Indian efforts to keep Sheikh Hasina in good humour is understandable, it is for the people in East and Northeast parts of this country to realize how political parties here use issues like citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis and Bangladeshi influx to cynically garner votes. They do these things to remain in power. The least common voters can do is to see through their stratagems and not allow themselves to be taken for a ride, again and again.