India Refutes Propaganda Amid Bangladesh Unrest as Dhaka Responds

India has moved swiftly to counter what it describes as a deliberate disinformation campaign surrounding the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, with officials from both countries engaging in diplomatic exchanges amid rising tensions.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a firm statement yesterday addressing what it termed “malicious propaganda” designed to damage the historically close relationship between the two neighboring nations. According to the statement, certain elements are attempting to create discord by falsely implicating India in Bangladesh’s internal political turmoil.

“We have noticed deliberate misinformation being spread by certain vested interests regarding India’s role in the recent developments in Bangladesh,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “These baseless allegations are completely detached from reality and appear designed to undermine the strong bilateral ties our nations have maintained for decades.”

The unrest in Bangladesh, which began as student protests against a controversial quota system in government jobs, has evolved into broader demonstrations against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. The violence has claimed over 150 lives and led to thousands of arrests, creating one of the most serious political crises in the country’s recent history.

In response to India’s statement, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry issued its own diplomatic communication, insisting that the Dhaka government has been taking appropriate measures to protect all foreign missions, including India’s, during the upheaval. The ministry emphasized that Bangladesh’s security forces have been deployed specifically to ensure the safety of diplomatic compounds and personnel.

“The Government of Bangladesh has prioritized the security of all diplomatic missions in accordance with the Vienna Convention and our international obligations,” noted the statement from Dhaka. “Any suggestion that we have not taken adequate steps to protect foreign diplomatic premises does not reflect the ground reality.”

The diplomatic tension comes amid reports of anti-India sentiment surfacing during some of the protests. Sources within Bangladesh’s security establishment claim that certain groups are attempting to redirect public anger toward India, which has maintained strong ties with the Hasina government over the years.

Regional security analysts point out that the relationship between Bangladesh and India has been one of the most stable in South Asia during Hasina’s tenure. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has cooperated with India on counterterrorism efforts and addressed India’s security concerns regarding insurgent groups seeking refuge across the border.

Dr. Smruti Pattanaik, a South Asia expert at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi, explains the significance of this diplomatic friction: “What we’re seeing is the inevitable spillover of domestic political tension into foreign relations. Bangladesh-India ties have been a cornerstone of regional stability, and any deterioration would have far-reaching consequences for trade, security, and migration issues across the subcontinent.”

The economic stakes are substantial, with bilateral trade between the two countries reaching approximately $15 billion annually. Bangladesh is one of India’s largest trading partners in South Asia, while India serves as a crucial source of essential commodities for its neighbor.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has maintained a cautious approach to the unrest, calling for peace and stability while respecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty. However, the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation, particularly concerned about potential refugee flows if the situation deteriorates further.

“India has legitimate strategic interests in a stable Bangladesh,” notes foreign policy analyst Harsh Pant from the Observer Research Foundation. “Beyond the humanitarian concerns, prolonged instability could affect regional security dynamics, economic cooperation, and potentially create humanitarian challenges along the 4,096-kilometer shared border.”

As the situation evolves, both nations appear committed to maintaining diplomatic channels while managing domestic perceptions. Bangladesh’s government faces the challenge of addressing genuine grievances among protestors while preventing external factors from further complicating the crisis.

International observers continue to urge restraint on all sides and call for peaceful dialogue to resolve the underlying issues that sparked the protests in Bangladesh.