AS RELATIONS between the United States and Iran as well as US allies sour further over the ongoing West Asia crisis, a silent reset is on in South Asia with India in firm focus. The last few days have seen US President Mr. Donald Trump heaping severe criticism on Iranian regime and pillorying American allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). At the same time, India was seriously engaged in diplomatic outreach to Governments in Bangladesh and Nepal with a view to rebuild strained relations inflicted by previous regimes in the neighbourhood countries.

 

The week started with Indian envoy Mr. Pranav Verma calling on newly-appointed Bangladesh Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman to convey India’s willingness to take traditional ties to a higher level of co-operation. At the same time, Indian Ambassador Mr. Naveen Srivastava paid a courtesy visit to Nepal’s new Foreign Minister Mr. Shishir Khanal to discuss various aspects of bilateral relations. Both meetings marked rebuilding of bridges that had seen some disturbances in the last few years as the Bangladesh and Nepal went through severe political upheaval. As the storm has subsided with democratically elected Governments in place in Dhaka and Kathmandu, a new beginning in bilateral relations with India is on the horizon. It is a victory for India’s patient handling of all developments in the neighbourhood. Despite anti-India voices taking centrestage at Government level, New Delhi maintained a studied silence, choosing not to react to nonsense and responding within the diplomatic framework to questions raised at top level.

 

This strategy of a calibrated silence was necessitated by the disturbances both the countries were facing in the form of uprising against Governments. India voiced its concerns only when there were security issues with Hindu minorities in Bangladesh but largely kept a safe distance from what was being relayed by the interim Government led by Mr. Muhammad Yunus. There were clear attempts to provoke India as the Nobel laureate was consumed by Chinese and Pakistani nexus. He took a totally contrary line from the position built by his predecessor Ms. Sheikh Hasina who was ousted in a students’ uprising. Mr. Yunus’ continued jabs at India’s sovereignty and his freehand to radical Islamists in Bangladesh created tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka. Yet, India went by the golden rule of not reacting in a knee-jerk fashion to temporary disturbances. This strategy will surely pay dividends as New Delhi again engages with Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman who is seen as a pragmatic leader seeking to serve Bangladesh’s interests with a healthy foreign policy.

 

The meeting of High Commissioner Mr. Verma and Mr. Rahman made all the positive sounds on pursuing constructive and people-centric ties based on mutual interest. It is a welcome development as Bangladesh also needs a way back to hit the reset button, first to shore up its domestic situation and then to handle its battered economy. Once a brilliant success story in economic reforms, Bangladesh is now a pale shadow of its original being as a struggling State. Rebuilding relations with India will be a major step for Mr. Rahman to pursue a bright and rules-based future. A similar intention has been exhibited in Nepal as the young rapper-turned-politician Mr. Balen Shah took over reigns with a thumping majority. The new Prime Minister has already expressed his desire to work with India closely for growth of the landlocked Hindu kingdom. His wish was promptly reciprocated by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi as Mr. Shah took oath of office on ‘Ram Navami’. Though there is no need for a reset of relations between Kathmandu and New Delhi, the change in Government has opened a new road to strengthen the traditional partnership. It is now imperative for India to build on this bonhomie and reactivate its Neighbourhood First policy with a new thrust.