Indian lobbies not to pressure Sheikh Hasina: Washington Post reports*

The Washington Post reported that Indian officials had made a special lobby a year ago to prevent former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from being pressured by the United States. According to the report, the main purpose of this lobbying was to reduce the criticism of Hasina's government on the part of the United States for violating democracy and human rights.

US diplomats have publicly criticized the 76-year-old Hasina over the arrest of thousands of opposition activists and critics ahead of last January's election. The Biden administration also imposed visa bans on some police officers accused of extrajudicial killings and kidnappings. The US administration has also threatened visa bans on people who violate human rights and damage democracy.

Indian officials have repeatedly claimed to the United States that if Bangladesh's opposition parties are allowed to come to power through open elections, Islamist groups will rise in the country, posing a major threat to India's national security.

The Washington Post report, based on conversations with an adviser to the Indian government, said that in discussions with the US, India made it clear that the rise of Islamic groups was an important and serious issue for them. In this context, the advisor said, "If you want to be our strategic partner, it is important to have a strategic consensus with us."

According to reports, the Biden administration eventually softened its criticism of the Hasina government and backed away from threats of sanctions. Although the move has disappointed many in Bangladesh, US officials do not see it as the result of Indian pressure.

Incidentally, even though Sheikh Hasina's government came to power for the fourth time in a row after the elections of last January, her position was shaken in the face of mass movements across the country. Finally, Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country on August 5.

This course of events proves that the political situation of Bangladesh is not only domestic, but can also be greatly affected internationally, where the strategic interests of powerful countries play a major role.