This event is part of the series “The Neighbourhood Scope,” a monthly feature of the Strategic Studies Programme that intends to rekindle key conversations, questions, and debates concerning India’s neighbourhood.
For the first time in a decade and half - Bangladesh has a change of guard. What began as student protests in early-July, quickly escalated into violent clashes, and then to a regime change. Bangladesh, today, has a new government. But the interim government is not free of challenges. At first, it will have to put an end to the ongoing domestic unrest and revenge attacks. In the longer-term, it will have to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions and bring in the much-needed constitutional reforms. It would also have to carry on the legacy of rapid socio-economic transformation and address the unemployment question. Most importantly - with Myanmar facing instability, the new regime will have to find a way to maintain good relations with its only stable neighbour - India. They will have to balance between Delhi and Beijing, while keeping extremism under check and ensuring that the minority communities are protected, even as previously proscribed parties and ideologies are mainstreaming.
What triggered this change in Bangladesh? What key challenges are confronting the interim government? What are people expecting from the new regime? How does the government intend to address these challenges, and meet these expectations? Why should neighbours be concerned about the developments in the country? What implications does this new transition have on the India-Bangladesh relationship? Will the new government succeed in ensuring an inclusive economy and polity, and find a sustainable solution to people’s grievances?
This is an in-person event.
