Sushma Swaraj meeting BNP leader upsets Awami League, allies
KOLKATA/DHAKA: As Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj two-day Dhaka visit begins with her arrival in Dhaka this evening, her late evening scheduled meeting with BNP leader Khaleda Zia is set to upset ruling Awami League and its allies.
The meeting will upset Prime Minister Begum Hasina’s calculations in a big way as preparation for elections have already began and set to leave her allies who are secular which Begum Zia isn’t worried,’’ admitted a leader of ally.Interestingly, meeting “Khaleda who still didn’t distance BNP from Jamaat, a fundamentalist party, and in connection with Pakistan ISI,’’ will not send a positive signal for political parties who still feel New Delhi happens to be a real friend,’’ feel Dhaka-based South East Asia analysts.
Incidentally, Swaraj’s visit just after Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaiteley takes wind out of Shiekh Hasina’s sail to a point when she is readying for next poll and “seriously trying to politically isolate BNP and Jamaat,’’ said another Dhaka-based politician. However, some Delhi-based foreign relation experts, told this writer over phone, that “a militarily and economically strong India needs see Bangladesh responses in the background of post-Dokhlam Chinese expansion strategy.
Isn’t Dhaka took a huge loan from China for infrastructure development? Was it a good will gesture only?’’ a South East Asian expert said.Though it’s a loan but with huge number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh shooting up prices of food, how Dhaka can pay back even the interest of loan?’’ Admitted a Dhaka-based liberal.
However, Swaraj seems sticking to Narendra Modi’s goodwill investment in Dhaka, ignoring Awami League’s much expressed opinion that she must ignore BNP leader during her visit. New Delhi and Swaraj who think meeting “Khaleda Zia isn’t against protocol nor likely to go against any political goodwill,’’ didn’t seem to change her programme, which includes her meeting Prime Minister Hasina to push Indian development project in Bangladesh.
All’s well that ends well,’’ felt a veteran Awami League leader, adding, “we doubt If India would be politically interested in BNP.’’
