Internationally acclaimed weekly magazine The Economist has aimed a foul blow at ongoing developments in Bangladesh-India bilateral relationships in a recent article.
The intro says, “not much noticed by outsiders, long-troubled ties between two neighbours sharing a long border have taken a substantial lurch for the better. Ever since 2008, when the Awami League, helped by bags of Indian cash and advice, triumphed in general elections in Bangladesh, relations with India have blossomed.”
“To Indian delight, Bangladesh has cracked down on extremists with ties to Pakistan or India’s home-grown terrorist group, the Indian Mujahideen, as well as on vociferous Islamist (and anti-Indian) politicians in the country. India feels that bit safer.” .
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Bangladesh foreign minister Dr. Dipu Moni slammed the report as ‘baseless and a pack of lies.’
“The report is disgraceful for an internationally reputed publication like The Economist,” she said. “We’ll send a rejoinder, probably tomorrow (Thursday). It seems to me there is a smear campaign going against Bangladesh.”
I have to agree. Though the report does point out some important and strategic issues that Bangladeshis should be concerned about, I think many points in it seemed biased or were simply incorrect.
In a blog that I posted on the ‘hope ride’ between Bangladesh and India, I wrote a posthumous tribute to the late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her contribution to Bangladesh liberation in 1971. Even the award was termed as 'a golden gong' in a malice manner.
This report and the alleged ‘smear campaign’ behind it is surely a snub to that hope ride.
A version of the post was first published at UCAN Blog- Give Us This Day on August 4, 2011
The intro says, “not much noticed by outsiders, long-troubled ties between two neighbours sharing a long border have taken a substantial lurch for the better. Ever since 2008, when the Awami League, helped by bags of Indian cash and advice, triumphed in general elections in Bangladesh, relations with India have blossomed.”
“To Indian delight, Bangladesh has cracked down on extremists with ties to Pakistan or India’s home-grown terrorist group, the Indian Mujahideen, as well as on vociferous Islamist (and anti-Indian) politicians in the country. India feels that bit safer.” .
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Bangladesh foreign minister Dr. Dipu Moni slammed the report as ‘baseless and a pack of lies.’
“The report is disgraceful for an internationally reputed publication like The Economist,” she said. “We’ll send a rejoinder, probably tomorrow (Thursday). It seems to me there is a smear campaign going against Bangladesh.”
I have to agree. Though the report does point out some important and strategic issues that Bangladeshis should be concerned about, I think many points in it seemed biased or were simply incorrect.
In a blog that I posted on the ‘hope ride’ between Bangladesh and India, I wrote a posthumous tribute to the late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her contribution to Bangladesh liberation in 1971. Even the award was termed as 'a golden gong' in a malice manner.
This report and the alleged ‘smear campaign’ behind it is surely a snub to that hope ride.
A version of the post was first published at UCAN Blog- Give Us This Day on August 4, 2011
