Smoke rises from flames near the stage set for a protest by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Police in Bangladesh’s capital fired tear gas to disperse supporters of the main opposition party who threw stones at security officials during a rally demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee general elections next year.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated the three Indian-assisted development projects via video conferencing. India provided $47.8 million for a cross-border train link and a $388.92 million concessional line of credit for the Khulna-Mongla port rail line in Bangladesh. India provided another $1.6 billion for Bangladesh’s 1,320-megawatt super thermal power project, according to India’s External Affairs Ministry.
Hasina considers a partnership with India politically significant for regional peace and development. However, India has not commented directly on the recent unrest. The Dhaka-based embassies of Western countries, especially the United States, have regularly issued statements calling for both sides to show restraint and to find a way for a free, fair and participatory election. headtopics.com
China and Russia issued statements in recent months criticizing Washington for pressing for a dialogue between Hasina’s government and the opposition on the national election that is expected in Bangladesh in January.
China also is involved in many mega projects in Bangladesh, while Russia is building the country’s first nuclear power plant. India and Bangladesh share historical and cultural ties; Bengali, which is spoken in both countries, is a strong bond. Bilateral relations have improved since Hasina and her headtopics.com
During her September 2022 visit to India, the two countries signed a water-sharing agreement and six other pacts, including ones on space technology and scientific collaboration.