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Governance

Bangladesh — on the march to authoritarianism?

Politically, Bangladesh has come full circle to the tipping point it faced almost 40 years ago. The election of January 5 brought one-party government back. History tells us that the next likely step is a consolidation of a one-party government into a one-party state. But history does not always determine politics. “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” and Bangladesh has a way of confounding pundits who predict its future. Remember, for example, that famous 1972 prediction that it would be (forever) ‘a basket case’. WilliamBMilamThe Awami ...

Ties with India likely to gain strength with Hasina back in power

The recent general elections in Bangladesh, in which the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League has regained power, has given hope for better trade, cultural and political ties between Bangladesh and India. India and Bangladesh regularly organize cultural exchange programmes and engage in the trade of various commodities through land and water routes. BANGLADESH_INDIAThe construction of Agartala-Akhaura railway link is underway and is expected to further boost trade and people-to-people conta...

Lack infrastructure hampering Indo-Bangla border trade

Infrastructure roadblock has hit the India and Bangladesh’s plan to keep bilateral trade going for seven days a week at Petrapole-Benapole land custom stations.   Located nearly 80 km from Kolkata, Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh) border accounts for nearly half of the $5.5-billion bilateral trade. Both the countries planned to extend operations from 6 days to seven days beginning January 1. bd-indiaAt a meeting attended by Union Revenue Secretary Sumit Bose and his Bangladeshi counterpart Golam Hosen at...

18 dead, polling booths firebombed as Bangladesh votes

Thousands of protesters firebombed polling stations and at least 18 people were killed as violence flared across Bangladesh Sunday during a walkover election boycotted by the opposition. Police said they had opened fire at protesters as they torched more than 200 polling stations and stole and burnt ballot papers to try to sabotage the poll. [caption id="attachment_2437" align="alignleft" width="300"]10th elelction Men attack a polling station in the northern Bangaldeshi town of Bo...

Tensions mounting as violence to follow election

Tensions are mounting on the streets of Bangladesh, as many here expect violence to follow the 10th national parliamentary elections. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said on Thursday night that the government is pushing the country towards “a civil war” through the “farcical” polls. Analysts worry ongoing political violence will hurt Bangladesh’s economy over the long-run. army in election duty

China making a play at Bangladesh?

Beijing’s recent efforts at improving strategic ties with Delhi may soon experience a hiccup. In an attempt to strengthen Dhaka’s military might, China has agreed to sell submarines to Bangladesh’s Navy sometime. Last month, the two countries sealed a $203 million deal that offers Bangladesh two Ming Class submarines. The move was scorned by India which could not help hide its dismay at the rising tide of Sino-Bangladeshi defense cooperation. Indeed a senior official recently took Beijing to task questioning the “necessity” of pact with Bangladesh. Delhi’s main concern is that these submarines may intrude into Indian waters. These events seem to raise alarm in India as the Indian Navy now plans to boost its presence in the Bay of Bengal...
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