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What if Modi comes to power?

What I apprehend is, having created a psychological pressure in the minds of the policy makers and the public at large, Mr. Modi, upon assumption of power in New Delhi, may try to squeeze our government to extract more undue benefits from us.

Ashraf ud Doula
OF late, a deep anxiety has gripped our nation over the probable impact on Indo- Bangladesh relations should Narendra Modi, an avowed ultra-Hindu nationalist leader, become the prime minister of India. This is because of certain recent provocative utterances he and some of his equally Hindu extremist cohorts have made.
We all are ever grateful to India for its historic contribution to our Liberation War. It is indeed an inerasable piece of history and that should have formed the foundation of the relationship between our two countries. Unfortunately, the honeymoon between Bangladesh and India did not last very long due to India's failure to gauge the sensitivity and sensibilities of the people of Bangladesh. It soon became apparent that India was unwittingly myopic in achieving its objective than helping Bangladesh recover from the ravages of war.
The situation worsened following the tragic killing of Bangabandhu when India adopted an overt antiBangladeshi policy and sponsored a low scale insurgency through creating and arming the Shanti Bahini. India also pursued a policy of isolating Bangladesh diplomatically, while the Indian media deliberately continued to churn out false and fabricated propaganda against Bangladesh. The return of Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, to power in 1996 after 21 longyears started a thaw in relationship between the two countries. A number of agreements aimed at promoting friendship and cooperation, including the historic Ganges water-sharing deal, were signed between Dhaka and New Delhi. But except for the Ganges waters, there were no significant gains for Bangladesh from these agreements which were seen to be heavily tilted in favour of India.
This hot and cold relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi took a fresh dip following BNP's return to power in 2001.
With the return of Awami league to power in 2009, India-Bangladesh relationship started moving upward. However, much to the discontentment of the general public in this country, India derived every possible benefit it could from Bangladesh this time, i.e., security, trade, transit etc. Bangladesh government went out of its way to address India's concerns sincerely. But in return Bangladesh got very little or nothing. The trade gap continues to widen in India's favour, the killing of the innocent Bangladeshis by the BSF continues along the border, there is no water in the Teesta - which is causing desertification of the greater northern district of Rangpur - and implementation of Indira-Mujib land exchange agreement of 1974 has eluded Bangladesh for over 40 years. Only recently, a deal has been concluded which falls short of what was originally envisaged.
So, what are we to expect from Modi who hasn't concealed his views on Bangladesh, which sounds so hysterical and inimical? At a recent seminar in Dhaka Mr. Kuldip Nayar, a revered and octogenarian journalist of India, sought to console us by saying that (a) chance of Modi becoming prime minister of India is really emote given the dynamics of India's politics and (b) Modi is less likely to follow through his Bangladesh policy, even if he comes to power, which Mr. Nayar believes are mere election rhetoric. We also want to believe him and hope that good sense will prevail upon Modi.
It is my assumption that Modi will neither change the Bangladesh gear nor is he going to switch the horse. Why should he? But what I apprehend is, having created a psychological pressure in the minds of the policy makers and the public at large, Mr. Modi, upon assumption of power in New Delhi, may try to squeeze our government to extract more undue benefits from us
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the 2014 election, Sheikh Hasina is the legal prime minister of Bangladesh. She should be equally tough and strong in facing Modi should he prove to be irrational and domineering. The entire nation will be with her. But before that she needs to unite the nation behind her. Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Bangabandhu. Let's not forget Indira Gandhi was forced to withdraw Indian troops from Bangladesh within three months, which was only possible because of Bangabandhu's courage to stand up to Mrs. Gandhi.
We believe there are saner elements in India, both in BJP and outside, and they will try to prevail upon Modi not to jeopardise the warm relationship currently obtaining between our two countries for it will not only harm Bangladesh but also adversely affect India and the region.
The writer is a former secretary and ambassador.