Why Does Bangladesh Need To Accelerate Its Power Maximization? – OpEd
Bangladesh is a peace-loving country that wants to keep a nice relationship with its neighbour. But it can not be avoided for them to engage in casualties with its neighbour not due to its own sake, nevertheless to survive its own identity, culture, geographical Integrity and supreme sovereignty. In the recent past, the anti-Bangladeshi movement in India, particularly Islamophobia in India, triggered a huge setback for Bangladesh’s stabilization. Apart from that, the Rohingya refugee issues of Myanmar and the civil war between the Junta Government of Myanmar and the Arakan Army create a risky, volatile and nerve situation in the region of Chattogram Hill Tracts. Even some invisible hand keeps targeting to conquer one of the world’s largest Sea beaches, Cox’s Bazar, along with Coral Island, Saint Martin. So, the point is that the relations about those issues are very much crucial, isn’t it?
Bangladesh is now wavering in a tough and nasty diplomatic and political situation. The geo-political affairs and ouster of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina made the ground of unstable circumstances stable. The long-lasting friendship with India turns into a great rivalry in one and a half years. The disharmony with India injured Bangladesh more politically and diplomatically. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed by Bangladesh now.
The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India are now in a deep hole. Some of those issues are unavoidable for Bangladesh, but to handle those, it can not afford to. The yellow journalism about Hindu minorities of Bangladesh by Indian media, the Arrest of ISKCON leader Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna spread huge speculation, anti-Bangladeshi movement in India, the recent assassination of a July uprising’s hero, probable Dhaka-8 constituency candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, whose murderer is supposed to have intruded into India, make the situation tricky for both the Bangladesh interim Government and Indian Government. However, the relation attacks on Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions is being fractured in every aspect now.
Attacks on Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions in India, including those in Kolkata and Agartala, by extremist Hindu groups have created the perception of an attempt to assert authority over Bangladesh. The inadequate prevention of such incidents undermines diplomatic norms, weakens the principle of sovereign equality, and signals an imbalance in bilateral relations. If unaddressed, these actions risk deepening mistrust between the two countries. Reports of the desecration and disrespect of the Bangladeshi national flag in Indian states such as West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam are deeply concerning. These acts signal hostility that goes beyond symbolic provocation, undermining mutual respect, sovereignty, and the spirit of good neighborly relations between Bangladesh and India.
The Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah, was first summoned by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on 17 December 2025 over what New Delhi described as security concerns related to protests and extremist threats around diplomatic missions. Additionally, he was reportedly called again on or around 18–19 December 2025 for further discussions amid ongoing tensions between the two governments. These repeated summonses have been viewed by some observers as attempts to exert diplomatic pressure on Bangladesh’s interim government. The forcible entry of Indian nationals into Bangladesh from India by falsely identifying them as Bangladeshi citizens is creating a serious challenge for Bangladesh.
Such practices place an unfair burden on Bangladesh’s border management, law enforcement, and administrative systems, while also raising concerns over sovereignty and security. Managing and verifying the identity of these individuals strains limited resources and complicates bilateral relations, making the issue a growing governance and humanitarian challenge for Bangladesh. The political pressure that led to Bangladesh national team star Mustafizur Rahman being withdrawn from India’s IPL Kolkata Knight Riders has sparked a new wave of political tension between the two countries. This episode highlights how sports, particularly high-profile cricket events, can become entangled with diplomatic and political considerations, complicating bilateral relations and generating public debate on both sides.
In the case of Myanmar, the Rohingya refugee crisis is a long-lasting issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar. About 1.2 million Rohingya refugees are now staying in Bangladesh. The frequent incursions of the Arakan Army along Bangladesh’s border, coupled with ongoing clashes between the group and Myanmar’s junta forces, have resulted in rocket launchers and live ammunition landing inside Bangladeshi territory. These incidents pose a serious security risk, endanger civilian lives, and are viewed as a grave concern and a direct violation of Bangladesh’s sovereignty. There are concerns that activities linked to Myanmar’s Arakan Army, along with broader regional strategic interests involving India, are contributing to instability in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts. Cross-border spillovers and external influence are seen as undermining local security and stability, raising questions about sovereignty and regional responsibility.
Despite being constrained by a weak economy, unstable political situation and limited geographical boundaries, Pakistan can survive in South Asia as an ace against India, and only possesses nuclear power. In the same way, if Bangladesh has to survive independently and sovereignly, there is no way but to rush to acquire the capability of nuclear energy, is there?
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