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Dark side of our foreign policy under Hasina regime 

Published : Thursday, 2 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 655
Sanjida Nourin Jhinuk
Sheikh Hasina's prolonged tenure as the leader of Bangladesh has left a profound mark on the country's foreign policy. Her administration's approach has often been characterized by partisan priorities, a growing reliance on powerful neighbors and a tendency to sideline strategic autonomy. These choices have raised critical concerns about the balance, transparency and long-term implications of Bangladesh's diplomatic and economic engagements.

One of the most contentious aspects of Sheikh Hasina's foreign policy has been her government's reliance on India. While strong ties with a neighboring powerhouse are essential, the perceived imbalance in this partnership has sparked significant debate. Critics argue that Bangladesh often appeared to prioritize India's interests over it's own, compromising its sovereignty and strategic goals.

The unresolved Teesta River water-sharing agreement is a glaring testament to this dynamic. Despite years of promises from India, no concrete solution has been reached to ensure equitable water distribution. The resulting water shortages in northern Bangladesh have severely impacted agriculture and livelihoods, fostering discontent among affected communities. Although the Awami League frequently invokes India's support during Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War, it's failure to assertively address this issue suggests a lack of commitment to protecting national interests.

Additionally, transit agreements granting India access through Bangladeshi territory for northeastern connectivity have sparked controversy. While framed as regional cooperation, the economic benefits for Bangladesh remain minimal. Roads and ports have seen increased Indian traffic, yet promised infrastructure investments and developmental gains for Bangladesh are yet to materialize. This perceived imbalance has fueled public criticism, with many accusing Sheikh Hasina's government of placing Indian strategic interests above the welfare of her own citizens.

The situation is exacerbated by border killings perpetrated by India's Border Security Force (BSF). Over the years, hundreds of Bangladeshi citizens have fallen victim to these incidents. The muted response from Sheikh Hasina's administration has been interpreted as a sign of weakness, undermining public trust and raising questions about Bangladesh's ability to assert its sovereignty in bilateral dealings.

The Pilkhana killings of 2009, also known as the BDR Mutiny, stand as one of the darkest chapters in Bangladesh's recent history. Occurring just weeks after Sheikh Hasina assumed office for her second term, the mutiny at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) resulted in the brutal killing of 74 individuals, including 57 senior army officers. This tragic event not only exposed deep fissures within the country's security framework but also had significant implications for Bangladesh's foreign policy and national sovereignty. Many critics have questioned the Hasina government's handling of the crisis, particularly its reluctance to allow the military to intervene swiftly, which might have prevented the scale of bloodshed.

There has also been considerable speculation about external influences in the mutiny, with some pointing to India's intelligence agencies. The aftermath of the mutiny saw a restructuring of the BDR, renamed as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), but questions about the government's transparency and decisiveness during the crisis remain unresolved.

In a bid to counterbalance its dependence on India, Sheikh Hasina's government has increasingly leaned toward China. Chinese investments in critical infrastructure projects, such as the Padma Bridge and Payra Port, have garnered praise for driving economic growth and development. The Padma Bridge, completed after the World Bank withdrew funding, is often celebrated as a symbol of Bangladesh's resilience.

However, these achievements come with significant risks. Bangladesh's involvement in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has raised concerns about potential debt traps. Similar patterns in countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan, where unsustainable borrowing led to severe financial crises, serve as cautionary tales. In Bangladesh's case, large-scale borrowing for ambitious infrastructure projects has sparked fears of long-term economic instability. Moreover, the lack of transparency in these deals has led to suspicions that Chinese interests are being prioritized over the country's long-term sovereignty and economic stability.

Bangladesh's response to the Rohingya refugee crisis has been a double-edged sword. Hosting over a million Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide in Myanmar earned Sheikh Hasina international acclaim for her humanitarian leadership. However, diplomatic efforts to secure a durable solution have faltered.

Despite active engagement with international organizations such as the UN, SAARC, and BIMSTEC, repatriation efforts have made little headway. Bangladesh has also struggled to mobilize sufficient international pressure on Myanmar to address the root causes of the crisis. This diplomatic impasse underscores the limitations of Sheikh Hasina's approach, revealing a lack of leverage in regional and global negotiations.

Bangladesh's foreign policy under Sheikh Hasina has often been criticized for neglecting opportunities to strengthen ties with smaller South Asian neighbors. For instance, potential collaborations in trade, energy and water management with Nepal and Bhutan have been largely overlooked. This lack of engagement reflects a short-sighted approach that fails to capitalize on regional synergies.

Similarly, relations with the Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, remain underdeveloped. While remittances from Bangladeshi expatriates in the Gulf form a cornerstone of the economy, the government has made little progress in negotiating better labor rights or diversifying cooperation beyond manpower exports.

Beyond the region, Bangladesh's deteriorating human rights record has strained its relations with Western countries. Reports of media censorship, extrajudicial killings and election manipulation have drawn sharp criticism from nations like the United States, Canada and members of the European Union. The U.S. sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in 2021 for human rights abuses marked a significant diplomatic setback, highlighting growing international distrust of Hasina's administration.

Bangladesh's engagement with multilateral platforms like SAARC and BIMSTEC has been underwhelming. Despite its strategic location and growing economic potential, the country has failed to assume a leadership role in revitalizing these organizations. A more proactive approach could have bolstered Bangladesh's regional influence, fostering greater economic and strategic cooperation.

Sheikh Hasina's foreign policy has exposed troubling patterns of overreliance on powerful neighbors, neglect of regional opportunities and authoritarian governance. From unequal agreements with India to growing dependency on China, strained relations with the West and missed opportunities with smaller neighbors and the Middle East, her approach has raised serious concerns about Bangladesh's long-term strategic future.

To secure a brighter future, Bangladesh must adopt a more balanced, transparent and independent foreign policy. By prioritizing sovereignty, engaging with diverse partners and aligning its strategies with the aspirations of its people, the country can pave the way for sustainable growth and diplomatic success. Without such a shift, Bangladesh risks undermining its potential as a thriving, sovereign state in an increasingly competitive global arena.

The writer is Undergrad Student, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka



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