Bangladesh's ingratitude and Arakan Army's new game

On the occasion of Vijay Diwas on December 16, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a statement on social media, paying tribute to the unparalleled courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers in the 1971 war. However, some leaders of Bangladesh reacted very objectionably to this statement. Allies of the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus termed Modi's statement as a threat to the independence and territorial integrity of Bangladesh.

Several leaders, including Yunus government's legal adviser Asif Nazrul and members of Khaleda Zia's BNP party, including anti-India student leader Hasnat Abdullah, claimed that the 1971 victory was Bangladesh's and India was just an ally. Reacting to Modi's post, Hasnat Abdullah said, "It was Bangladesh's liberation war. Calling it India's Vijay Diwas is an insult to the history of our freedom struggle."

Such statements reveal the poor mentality of the ruling Yunus government of Bangladesh and its ingratitude towards India. This is the same Bangladesh which would not have been able to achieve independence in 1971 without India's military and diplomatic help.

Arakan Army, Bangladesh's new headache

On the other hand, another new challenge is emerging in Myanmar's Rakhine province bordering India and Bangladesh. Myanmar's military junta has recently lost control over the 270-km-long Myanmar-Bangladesh border. Now this area is occupied by the Arakan Army (AA), one of Myanmar's most powerful rebel groups.

The Arakan Army has increased its influence not only in Myanmar but also in the border areas of Bangladesh, which is creating the possibility of a clash with the Bangladesh Army. This situation is a matter of strategic concern not only for Bangladesh but also for India.

India has started establishing diplomatic contact with the Arakan Army. This step has been taken to ensure the security of the India-built Sittwe Port located in Myanmar's Rakhine province. Sittwe Port is an important part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project connecting India's northeastern states to the rest of the country via the Bay of Bengal and Myanmar.

However, the Myanmar junta has so far maintained control over Sittwe Port and other strategic areas. But given the growing influence of the Arakan Army, India is taking steps to protect its interests in the region.

What do these developments mean for India?

Bangladesh's ingratitude: The reaction of Bangladesh's ruling Yunus government and its allies has raised questions about India-Bangladesh relations. It is clear that despite India's cooperation in 1971, the current Bangladesh leadership is refusing to acknowledge India's contribution.

Threat of Arakan Army: Security of Rakhine province and Sittwe port is a priority for India. By establishing contact with the Arakan Army, India wants to ensure that the instability arising between Bangladesh and Myanmar does not affect its interests.

The ingratitude of the current Bangladesh government and the security crisis created by the Arakan Army has posed a double challenge for India. On the one hand, India will have to maintain a balance in its relations with Bangladesh, while on the other hand, it will have to take steps to protect its strategic projects in Rakhine province.