July 25, 2024,In a significant development in the diplomatic circles, Bangladeshi leaders have strongly protested against recent statements made by West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, relating to providing shelter to Bangladeshi nationals who have been escaping to this republic and fleeing the recent agitations.
Mamata Banerjee’s comment
Mamata Banerjee, while addressing a rally in Kolkata on July 21, said she was ready to provide asylum to those in need of it in Bangladesh. Mamata Banerjee said so at the height of Bangladesh’s unrest, when protests against government job quotas claimed more than 150 lives and left thousands injured.
“Because Bangladesh is an independent sovereign nation, I don’t have the mandate to speak on their behalf.” The center should have all necessary clearances. Banerjee also called for a humanitarian UN Resolution on Refugees. “But I can assure you that if desperate people come knocking on [West Bengal’s] doors, we will definitely provide them shelter,” said Banerjee.
Bangladesh’s diplomatic protest
Hasan Mahmud, foreign minister of Bangladesh, said he dispatched a protest letter to India over the remarks. Although Bangladesh values its ties with Bangladesh highly, Mahmud wrote in the letter that her comments could have confused many. According to the 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, foreign policy and international relations exclusively remain the prerogative of the Government of India at the Center. The Bangladeshi government perceived interference in its internal affairs by those comments.
Randhir Jaiswal, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman, replied back with this: “We are viewing the present disturbances in Bangladesh as internal affairs of that country.” He also updated the status of Indian nationals in Bangladesh and added that more than 6,700 Indian students have safely returned with the help of Bangladesh authorities. Amidst all this turbulence, the Indian High Commission at Dhaka is somehow managing to reach and succor the ailing members of the Indian community.
India’s response and reactions
The Center’s fiat forbids chief minister Banerjee from speaking on foreign topics. The state has focused on strengthening the diplomatic ties with Bangladesh and has handled the repercussions of the incident.
Yet again, Mamata Banerjee’s statements have opened up the debate regarding the extent of state and central jurisdiction in foreign affairs and its likely impact on bilateral relations; the concern is that commissioning of the deal may get jeopardized. We visualize more diplomatic negotiations to reduce the conflict and maintain healthy relations for both countries as the situation continues.
Few other episodes of diplomatic spats bring out the lesson on clarity in communication between national and state administrations and the tact needed in international diplomacy. Well, with all the struggles of international diplomacy, India still stands committed to helping the nationals residing in Bangladesh. The internal unrest in Bangladesh continues.
