A year before Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee Bangladesh, Indian officials reportedly requested their US counterparts to ease pressure on the then-Prime Minister, according to a report by The Washington Post. This intervention came as Sheikh Hasina faced intense scrutiny from US diplomats for her administration’s crackdown on political dissent and alleged human rights abuses.
The 76-year-old Sheikh Hasina, who led the Awami League party, was criticized by the US for jailing thousands of political opponents and critics in the lead-up to the national elections scheduled for January 2024. The US administration had also imposed sanctions on a Bangladeshi police unit accused of extrajudicial killings and threatened to restrict visas for individuals involved in undermining democracy or committing human rights violations.
In response, Indian officials engaged in high-level discussions with US representatives, urging them to moderate their stance on Bangladesh. They expressed concern that a shift in power through open elections could pave the way for Islamist groups to gain influence, which could pose a significant threat to India’s national security. An anonymous Indian official explained to The Washington Post, “You approach it at the level of democracy, but for us, the issues are much, much more serious and existential.”
This diplomatic lobbying by India led the Biden administration to temper its criticism and delay additional sanctions against Sheikh Hasina’s regime, a move that disappointed some Bangladeshi activists. US officials acknowledged that this decision was influenced by strategic considerations and Indian lobbying efforts.
The situation has prompted both Indian and US policymakers to reassess their handling of the crisis in Bangladesh. Following protests that defied army-imposed curfews and ultimately led to Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India, there is growing debate on whether the situation was managed effectively. A US official noted, “There is always a balancing act in Bangladesh, as there is in many places where the situation on the ground is complicated, and you want to work with the partners you have in a way that is not inconsistent with what the American people expect.”
As the January elections approached, internal disagreements surfaced within the Biden administration regarding the approach to Bangladesh. Some US State Department officials, including then-Ambassador Peter Haas, advocated for a more stringent stance against Sheikh Hasina. Others, however, cautioned that further antagonizing the Awami League leader might not yield substantial benefits for the US.
Additionally, US officials were mindful of the potential fallout from further alienating India, which had pressed for a more nuanced approach. Meetings involving Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s visit to the US, highlighted the importance of balancing diplomatic relations and strategic interests.
The US approach to Bangladesh sought to align with democratic values while acknowledging the complex realities on the ground. The goal was to engage constructively with Sheikh Hasina’s administration while addressing the multifaceted interests involved in the region. The situation in Bangladesh remains a focal point of international diplomatic and strategic considerations, reflecting the intricate dynamics between national interests and global values.
