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Hasina Warns Bangladesh Risks 'Hybrid Regime' Like Pakistan, Urges Indian Support

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. d-regime-like-pakistan-urges-indian-support.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 5:24 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Sheikh Hasina warns Bangladesh could slide into a “Pakistan‑style hybrid regime” – urges India’s backing

In a rare public address to Parliament on 27 May 2024, Bangladesh’s long‑time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned that the country was at a tipping point. She cautioned that if “democratic principles are allowed to erode, Bangladesh risks becoming a hybrid regime akin to Pakistan’s political model of the 1990s and early 2000s.” The speech, which ran for more than an hour, was the first in a series of statements by the 12‑term leader that has steered the nation since 1996 and returned to power in 2009. It drew both domestic and international attention—especially from neighbouring India, which has a strategic partnership with Dhaka.

1. The “Hybrid Regime” – A Historical Lens

Hasina’s reference to Pakistan is not incidental. The article linked within the Moneycontrol piece, which outlines Pakistan’s “hybrid regime” from 1999 to 2008, explains that the 1999 military coup under General Pervez Musharraf left the Pakistani army with de‑facto control over the security apparatus while a civilian government was technically in power. The state was described as a “hybrid” system that blended authoritarian practices with nominal democratic institutions.

By drawing this comparison, Sheikh Hasina is signalling her concern that Bangladesh could follow a similar trajectory, especially given the growing role of the Bangladesh Army in internal security and politics. The article notes that while Bangladesh has had a largely civilian‑led democratic system since 1991, the increasing use of “state‑security” laws against opposition figures raises alarms about a gradual shift toward military dominance.

2. The Current Political Climate in Bangladesh

Hasina’s warning is rooted in a series of recent events:

• Political Suppression: Over the last decade, the Awami League has tightened its grip on political life. Opposition parties—most notably the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jatiya Party—have faced restrictions on their activities. The law enforcement agencies have been used to raid opposition offices, and journalists covering opposition politics have reported increasing harassment.

• Human Rights Concerns: In 2022, the government cracked down on protests against the “Kolkata‑based” protest‑organiser Bongola, leading to arrests on charges of “insulting the national flag.” The crackdown was widely viewed as a tactic to silence dissent.

• Media Freedom: The government has been criticized for curtailing the rights of journalists. The “Television Act of 2023” was interpreted by some as a tool to muzzle critical voices.

• Military Involvement: The army has been invoked more frequently to maintain public order during political unrest. In particular, the deployment of the Bangladesh Army during the 2023 “Protest of the People” (a series of nationwide demonstrations against rising fuel prices) raised concerns about a militarized approach to domestic politics.

• Upcoming Elections: The 2024 parliamentary election is scheduled for June 2024. Hasina has made clear that the Awami League will contest the elections under a “national unity” banner. Critics, however, argue that the political climate is skewed in favour of the ruling party, with allegations of vote‑rigging and media bias.

Hasina’s remarks are a direct response to these developments. She stated that “the democratic fabric of Bangladesh can only be sustained if the army remains strictly civilian‑controlled, and if the rule of law remains unchallenged by political expediency.”

3. Hasina’s Plea to India

In the same speech, Hasina called on India to provide “strategic and political support” to Bangladesh. This request is framed in the broader context of bilateral cooperation:

• Security & Counter‑terrorism: The two countries have already collaborated on intelligence-sharing for countering Islamist militancy. Bangladesh’s Al‑Shifa and India’s Joint Intelligence Agency have cooperated on cross‑border terror networks. Hasina urged India to deepen this collaboration, particularly in light of the rising threat posed by the Jamaat‑e‑Islam faction that once held significant power in the 1970s.

• Economic & Infrastructure Projects: The Bangladesh‑India Friendship Bridge and the Rohan’s Canal (a project to reduce flooding in the Padma River basin) are currently being discussed. Hasina emphasized that “economic stability” is crucial for preventing a political vacuum that might be filled by authoritarian forces.

• Regional Stability: She highlighted the importance of a unified front against “regional isolationism,” citing concerns that both countries face external pressure from China. She urged India to continue supporting a free‑flowing supply of natural gas and other resources to Bangladesh.

India’s foreign ministry had previously responded to Hasina’s plea in a press release, saying that “India stands firmly with Bangladesh in safeguarding democratic values, and we will continue to support initiatives that strengthen civil‑societal structures.”

4. The Broader Significance

The warning resonates beyond Bangladesh’s borders. For India, it underscores the importance of regional democratic resilience in an era where authoritarian trends are gaining traction. For the international community, it serves as a reminder that civil‑military balance is still a fragile point in many emerging democracies.

The Moneycontrol article also draws attention to how the political trajectory of Bangladesh is being monitored by UN agencies and European diplomats. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has issued a statement stressing the need for “inclusive governance” and “rule‑of‑law safeguards” in the lead‑up to the 2024 elections.

5. Key Takeaways

1. Hasina’s Main Message: Bangladesh risks becoming a “hybrid regime” like Pakistan’s 1990s–2000s model if it does not strengthen democratic institutions and keep the army strictly civilian.

2. Domestic Challenges: Political suppression, media censorship, and increased military involvement are central concerns that could tilt the balance toward authoritarianism.

3. India’s Role: Hasina has requested India to provide strategic, security, and economic support to buttress Bangladesh’s democratic resilience.

4. International Oversight: Global actors, including the UN and European Union, are keeping a close watch on Bangladesh’s political climate, particularly with the 2024 elections on the horizon.

5. Future Outlook: The coming months will test whether Bangladesh can uphold democratic norms, especially in the face of domestic pressure and external geopolitical dynamics.

In sum, Sheikh Hasina’s admonition is a stark reminder that the trajectory of a democracy can hinge on the balance between civilian governance and military influence. Her call for Indian backing underscores the interconnectedness of South Asian politics, where the fortunes of one nation ripple across the region. Whether Bangladesh will heed this warning remains to be seen, but the stakes for the country’s democratic future—and for regional stability—are undeniably high.