Bangladesh’s interim government has canceled a scheduled training program for 50 judges and judicial officers in India, further straining the already fragile diplomatic relations between the two countries. The training session, originally set to take place on February 10, was to be a one-day event at the National Judicial Academy and the State Judicial Academy in Madhya Pradesh. The program was intended to focus on enhancing the skills of the lower judiciary, with India covering the associated expenses.
The cancellation of the program came as a surprise, following reports by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, which initially revealed the plans for the training. A spokesperson from Bangladesh’s law ministry confirmed that the notification for the program had been revoked, though no specific reason was provided for the abrupt decision.
This development marks a significant downturn in the relationship between India and Bangladesh, which has been marred by political and social tensions in recent months. Diplomatic ties between the two nations began to sour in August after the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The deposed leader was forced to flee Dhaka due to violent protests and eventually sought refuge in India. Since then, relations have further deteriorated, with numerous issues escalating the strain between the neighboring countries.
The cancellation also comes on the heels of a series of incidents that have raised concerns in India regarding the treatment of its Hindu minority community in Bangladesh. Attacks on Hindu places of worship and community members have sparked outrage in India, leading to heightened diplomatic exchanges. India has officially expressed its concerns to Bangladesh over the rise in such attacks, particularly in light of the growing influence of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
In another matter affecting bilateral ties, the arrest of Bangladeshi monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges has become a point of contention. India has urged Bangladesh for a fair trial for those involved in the case, especially after the rejection of Das’s bail plea in a Bangladeshi court last week.
Despite the escalating tensions, Bangladesh’s Army Chief, Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, has emphasized the country’s reliance on India, stating that it would avoid taking actions that could harm India’s strategic interests. However, with the ongoing political instability and rising religious tensions, the future of India-Bangladesh relations remains uncertain.
As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely watching the developments in the region, particularly concerning the treatment of minority communities and the stability of the diplomatic dialogue between India and Bangladesh.
Sources By Agencies
