A large part of Bangladesh's trade with India is in consumer goods. If many of the daily necessities cannot be imported from India, the market prices skyrocket. Among them, only onions come into discussion. Sometimes people of the country fall into a fragile market situation as India stops exporting onions.
Public perception is that Awami League has a sweet relationship with India. This is not entirely false. However, the issue is not limited to the individual level and political parties, but the relationship is more state-to-state. The Awami League's relationship with India as a political party has historical foundations, and the greatest monument to this foundation is the Great Liberation War of 1971. Besides, Bangladesh's support to prevent militancy and separatism in India's Seven Sisters strengthens Awami League's relationship with the country. During the period of the Awami League government, Bangladesh wanted to stay safe by stopping the militants, and also played a role in maintaining stability in the Seven Sisters.
Yet India has stopped exporting commodities, especially onions, to Bangladesh many times. That is why they voiced their own demand, and the export ban had a direct impact on Bangladesh. Due to the increase in the price of onion and the continuous discussion about it, the prices of other products have also skyrocketed. After that, while the onion market stabilized, the prices of other products remained stable. Everything else is out of the question as we only discuss the onion then and whenever we are in such a situation.
After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, there is now a discussion about whether or not there is an opportunity to import goods from India. Many fear that the commercial relationship will not be the same as before. We are still looking at it one-sidedly. We see that the out-of-control market will never come under control unless certain products can be imported from there. The same does not apply to India? India will not be deprived of foreign exchange if not exported to Bangladesh?
Trade is basically a bilateral affair, where one side imports to meet its needs, the other side exports to earn foreign exchange. Just as our market will not be stable if we cannot import at a lower price from our near neighbors, similarly India will lose its assured market if we impose strictures on exports. What country would want to miss out on a guaranteed market? Besides, if India's commercial relations with Bangladesh are weak, they will also have to look for new markets.
If the import of goods from India is not easy, will Bangladesh sit in this case? Certainly not, Bangladesh will look for more markets to meet its needs. In this case, the cost will increase, but it will not reach the state of starving for fear of cost increase. In this case, many fear that Bangladesh does not have the financial stability to import products from faraway countries. This is not true. It is possible to meet the import expenses of a few months from where the fallen Awami League government left the economy of Bangladesh. Finance Adviser Dr. Saleh Uddin Ahmed has acknowledged the issue of financial consistency, no matter how much everyone in the interim government criticizes the corruption and financial mismanagement of the Awami League era. Talking to officials on August 13, the Finance Adviser said the economy is not in bad shape, it has only slowed down due to recent challenges. Advisers are optimistic that momentum will gradually build up.
All over the country Awami League leaders and activists are cornered. Many are in hiding for fear of arrest and beating. Many have started to return slowly through social media. The campaign of one of them seems that India will stop exporting goods now! These campaigns have passion, scaremongering, but no logic behind them because trade is a matter of mutual benefit. Besides, many people want to see it with hidden hints. It is like cutting off one's own nose and disrupting the journey of others.
During the meeting with Indian Ambassador Prannoy Verma, recently appointed in Dhaka, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain emphasized on the continuation of issues related to the interests of the two countries. There are commercial relations, security aspects, and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's stay in India. The outcome of such discussions is not immediately visible. This is a routine work of any government. It helps to remove any doubt in the relationship. Oscillations give solid foundations to relationships.
Chief Adviser to the Interim Government Dr. Muhammad Yunus called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Last Friday, in a message shared on the X handle, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the information about the call of Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Modi said that he received the call of Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. There was an exchange of views on the existing situation. Narendra Modi reiterated India's commitment to continue its support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. Dr. Yunus assured the protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minorities in Bangladesh. After that, the Prime Minister's Office of India said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on India's commitment to help the people of Bangladesh through various development initiatives. He emphasized on ensuring the safety and security of all minority communities including the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
In other words, the government has taken an initiative to remove the tension in the public perception of India's relationship with the new interim government that came to power after the downfall of the Awami League government. We hope this good relationship with neighboring countries will continue. Almost all of them are part of the 'India Out' campaign who are partners and beneficiaries of the August 5 uprising. Keep aside this campaign of political character and let the good relations between the two countries continue, because without good relations, the people of both the countries will suffer.