Pakistan losing influence in Bangladesh

[kidwaibhai]

Pakistan needs to counter Indian influence in BD
Thursday, January 08, 2009
By Rauf Klasra

DHAKA: In the wake of growing Indian influence in Bangladesh following the landslide victory of the Awami League, Pakistan needs to send some seasoned diplomats here to look after its interests.

The rise of Indian influence could be gauged from the fact that the Indian high commissioner here, the first foreign diplomat to call on Hasina Wajid after the election results were announced, met her for two hours. The Indian foreign minister is likely to visit Dhaka next week to meet the new prime minister of Bangladesh.

“If Pakistan wants to safeguard its interests in Bangladesh, then it needs to immediately send a seasoned diplomat as its high commissioner. Diplomats like Riaz Khokhar, Dr Tanveer Ahmed Khan and Hamayun Khan have served Pakistan with distinction in the past as HC,” observed one MP of the BNP during a private discussion with this correspondent.

Background interviews revealed that as the Hasina Wajid-led Awami League prepares to start the trial of “war criminals” within the next six months, a seasoned Pakistani diplomat is required here who could deal with this very sensitive issue. India would be the sole beneficiary of these trials as Pakistan would be at the receiving end. Many former generals of the Pakistan Army are included in the list of 210 ‘war criminals’.

The shocking defeat of Begum Khalida Zia’s Bangladesh National Party (BNP) has jolted the pro-Pakistan political forces in the country, as the sentiments of the Bangladeshi youth have been successfully exploited by the Awami League in favour of the trial of ‘war criminals’.

It is being said here that Pakistan has shown no sign of urgency in countering the Indian influence and has not fully realised the impact of the sea change that has taken place in Bangladesh. It would do Pakistan a world of good if Shah Mahmood Qureshi could find time to visit Dhaka immediately to open a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.

The Indians, on the other hand, are taking full advantage of the situation, feeling satisfied that, after Afghanistan, now they have a friendly government in Dhaka. This new situation might greatly help India in promoting its regional agenda. Pakistan had enjoyed a similar advantage in the past when the BNP was ruling Dhaka and the Taliban were calling the shots in Kabul.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner Alamgir Babar has already completed his three-year tenure in Dhaka. Babar enjoyed good working relationship with all political leaders of Bangladesh, including Hasina Wajid.

Islamabad has recently nominated Khawaja Alqama Khairuddin as the new high commissioner to Bangladesh. His appointment is already being resented in the Awami League circles because of the fact that his father Khawaja Khairuddin had preferred Pakistan to Bangladesh. Many believe that Khawaja Alqama is not the appropriate person to represent Pakistan here at this point of time.

Many pro-Pakistan elements here ask one question: could Pakistan trust an academic-turned-diplomat Alqama with such huge responsibility when so much is at stake in the wake of ever-growing Indian influence?
Pakistan needs to counter Indian influence in BD

Do the Bangladeshi forum members agree with this

 

[roopesh]

Country relations are not in diplomats. Its in the business. Pakistan and Bangladesh both are struggling economies. They need to start focussing on business education and military co-ops. There are few things already in place but need to focus more on...

 

[Kasrkin]

A another point on the long list of PPP government's competence indicators.

 

[Al-zakir]

Pakistan needs to counter Indian influence in BD
Thursday, January 08, 2009
By Rauf Klasra

DHAKA: In the wake of growing Indian influence in Bangladesh following the landslide victory of the Awami League, Pakistan needs to send some seasoned diplomats here to look after its interests.

The rise of Indian influence could be gauged from the fact that the Indian high commissioner here, the first foreign diplomat to call on Hasina Wajid after the election results were announced, met her for two hours. The Indian foreign minister is likely to visit Dhaka next week to meet the new prime minister of Bangladesh.

“If Pakistan wants to safeguard its interests in Bangladesh, then it needs to immediately send a seasoned diplomat as its high commissioner. Diplomats like Riaz Khokhar, Dr Tanveer Ahmed Khan and Hamayun Khan have served Pakistan with distinction in the past as HC,” observed one MP of the BNP during a private discussion with this correspondent.

Background interviews revealed that as the Hasina Wajid-led Awami League prepares to start the trial of “war criminals” within the next six months, a seasoned Pakistani diplomat is required here who could deal with this very sensitive issue. India would be the sole beneficiary of these trials as Pakistan would be at the receiving end. Many former generals of the Pakistan Army are included in the list of 210 ‘war criminals’.

The shocking defeat of Begum Khalida Zia’s Bangladesh National Party (BNP) has jolted the pro-Pakistan political forces in the country, as the sentiments of the Bangladeshi youth have been successfully exploited by the Awami League in favour of the trial of ‘war criminals’.

It is being said here that Pakistan has shown no sign of urgency in countering the Indian influence and has not fully realised the impact of the sea change that has taken place in Bangladesh. It would do Pakistan a world of good if Shah Mahmood Qureshi could find time to visit Dhaka immediately to open a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.

The Indians, on the other hand, are taking full advantage of the situation, feeling satisfied that, after Afghanistan, now they have a friendly government in Dhaka. This new situation might greatly help India in promoting its regional agenda. Pakistan had enjoyed a similar advantage in the past when the BNP was ruling Dhaka and the Taliban were calling the shots in Kabul.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner Alamgir Babar has already completed his three-year tenure in Dhaka. Babar enjoyed good working relationship with all political leaders of Bangladesh, including Hasina Wajid.

Islamabad has recently nominated Khawaja Alqama Khairuddin as the new high commissioner to Bangladesh. His appointment is already being resented in the Awami League circles because of the fact that his father Khawaja Khairuddin had preferred Pakistan to Bangladesh. Many believe that Khawaja Alqama is not the appropriate person to represent Pakistan here at this point of time.

Many pro-Pakistan elements here ask one question: could Pakistan trust an academic-turned-diplomat Alqama with such huge responsibility when so much is at stake in the wake of ever-growing Indian influence?
Pakistan needs to counter Indian influence in BD

Do the Bangladeshi forum members agree with this

Totally loosing it. Did Pakistan already gave up on Bangladesh? ISI failed terribly on last election. Historically and philosophically Awami is total pro-Indian party but majority Bangladeshi pro-Pakistan. I don't know what's need to be done but Pakistan need to do something before loose total influence in Bangladesh. I think strategically Bangladesh is too important for Pakistan and balance of power in South Asia. Perhaps some of the expert in this forum can shed some light on this issue...........