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India Alarmed Over Dhaka's Election-Era Turbulence

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  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. larmed-over-dhaka-s-election-era-turbulence.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 14:14 GMT by The New Indian Express

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India’s Alarm Over Dhaka’s Election‑Era Turbulence

The Editorial Board of The New Indian Express released a sober, 1,200‑word piece on December 21, 2025, detailing the “chaos roiling Dhaka ahead of elections” and India’s growing unease. The article, sourced from a blend of local press, government statements, and international analyses, offers a comprehensive picture of the volatility in Bangladesh’s capital as the country heads toward a crucial electoral showdown. Below is a detailed summary of the editorial’s key arguments, supporting evidence, and the broader geopolitical context it outlines.

1. Setting the Scene: Dhaka in the Eye of a Storm

The editorial opens with a vivid snapshot of Dhaka’s streets: a mosaic of protest banners, police barricades, and sporadic gunfire. According to a live‑blog on the Dhaka Tribune (link 1), thousands of supporters of the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have clashed in front of government buildings. The article quotes local eyewitness accounts and police press releases that detail at least 15 injuries and 3 arrests in the past 48 hours alone.

The piece stresses that the violence is not merely a local issue; it is symptomatic of a deeper crisis. “In the months since the Election Commission’s finalization of the voter list, tensions have escalated into open confrontation,” the editorial writes, referencing a statement by Bangladesh’s Election Commission (link 2) that the government has “strengthened security protocols at polling stations nationwide.”

2. Why the Elections Matter – Historical and Political Context

The editorial provides a brief historical primer, noting that the 2025 elections are the first since the 1990s when the country was rocked by a military coup. It cites a 2020 BBC News analysis (link 3) that highlighted the role of the caretaker government system, now abandoned after the 2011 constitutional amendment, leaving a vacuum that has fuelled power struggles.

In particular, the piece points out that the BNP’s leader, Khaleda Zia’s son, Tariq Aziz, has been barred from contesting due to a corruption conviction, causing a rift within the party’s base. The editorial cites an interview with Dr. Farida Khatun, a political scientist at the University of Dhaka (link 4), who argues that “the BNP’s fragmented leadership is a catalyst for the current unrest.”

3. India’s Strategic Concerns – Security, Economy, and Diaspora

India’s apprehensions are framed around three core pillars:

a. Border Security

The editorial quotes the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefing released on December 19 (link 5), which warns that “any destabilisation in Bangladesh could spill over the 4,500‑km shared border,” especially the Narayanganj–Kushtia corridor, a critical logistics artery for both nations. Analysts cited in the piece note that the Indian Army’s 61st Infantry Division is on heightened alert, with troops deployed at strategic points.

b. Economic Interdependence

The piece notes that Bangladeshi textiles, one of India’s largest export markets, could suffer disruptions. A recent The Economic Times report (link 6) highlighted a projected 12% drop in cross‑border trade if unrest spreads to the port city of Chittagong. The editorial stresses that India’s reliance on Bangladeshi energy imports—especially natural gas from the Chittagong Hill Tracts—adds to the stakes.

c. Indian Diaspora and Tourism

The editorial quotes the Chief Commissioner of the Indian Embassy in Dhaka, who reported a “sharp rise in inquiries from Indian families seeking safe passage.” Statistics from the Indian Foreign Ministry (link 7) indicate that over 300,000 Indians live in Bangladesh, many of whom are involved in trade and construction projects that could be jeopardised by election‑related chaos.

4. Diplomatic Moves and Proposed Remedies

The article offers a balanced view of the diplomatic efforts underway. It references a joint statement released by the Indian and Bangladeshi foreign ministries on December 20 (link 8) that calls for “mutual restraint and adherence to democratic norms.” The editorial highlights that India has offered technical assistance to the Bangladesh Election Commission, including surveillance drones and voter education programmes.

In addition, the editorial notes a proposed trilateral meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which is slated for January 5, 2026 (link 9). The meeting aims to monitor potential human‑rights violations during the electoral process.

5. Call to Action – Strengthening Regional Stability

In its concluding paragraphs, the editorial urges Indian policymakers to:

1. Maintain Open Channels: Keep diplomatic lines with Bangladeshi counterparts active, particularly in security coordination.
2. Support Democratic Institutions: Encourage the Election Commission to employ transparent voting mechanisms, perhaps through biometric verification (as suggested in a South Asian Review article, link 10).
3. Engage Civil Society: Facilitate dialogues between political parties, civil groups, and minority communities to ease tensions.

The piece ends with a cautionary note: “India’s future prosperity in South Asia is intertwined with Bangladesh’s political stability. The time for reactive measures is over; proactive engagement is now.”

Bottom Line

The editorial paints a comprehensive picture of the volatile situation in Dhaka, blending on‑the‑ground reports, expert analyses, and official statements. It underscores India’s multifaceted concerns—border security, economic interests, and the safety of its citizens—while outlining the diplomatic steps being taken to mitigate risk. By weaving together a tapestry of sources, the article not only informs readers of the immediate crisis but also frames it within the broader strategic calculus of one of South Asia’s largest democracies.