Bangladesh elections: What’s BNP’s ‘strict place’ pitch for relations with neighbors?

Bangladesh’s fundamental opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP) on Friday unveiled its election manifesto, promising electoral reforms and accountable governance, whereas outlining a more durable international coverage stance, centred on border safety and river-water sharing. The manifesto was launched by BNP chairman Tarique Rahman in Dhaka. The occasion pledged to uphold the “dignity of the vote” and be sure that nobody is above the regulation, committing to a authorities that’s accountable and immediately answerable to residents.A key characteristic of the manifesto is its emphasis on long-standing flashpoints in Bangladesh’s relationship with India, though New Delhi hasn’t been talked about in as many phrases within the bullet factors, together with cross-border shootings, alleged “push-ins” and unresolved sharing of frequent rivers. The BNP mentioned it might undertake a extra assertive strategy to frontier administration and river diplomacy if voted to energy.Underneath what it calls a “Bangladesh Earlier than All” doctrine, the occasion framed its international coverage round “equality and self-dignity” and the slogan “Good friend Sure, Grasp No”. It mentioned Dhaka wouldn’t intervene within the inside affairs of different international locations and wouldn’t enable interference in its personal.The strongest language got here for border-related considerations. The manifesto vows to take “a strict place” to cease “border killing, push-in, and smuggling”, reflecting persistent Bangladeshi complaints over deaths alongside the India-Bangladesh border and allegations of individuals being pushed throughout with out due course of. On river-water sharing, the BNP promised “efficient measures” to safe Bangladesh’s “fair proportion” from frequent rivers “like Teesta and Padma”. It proposed implementing a “Teesta Grasp Plan”, pursuing a Padma barrage challenge and strengthening the Joint River Fee (JRC), the bilateral physique answerable for managing shared rivers.Though India is just not explicitly named within the manifesto’s bullet factors, the border and river points highlighted are central to Dhaka-New Delhi ties. The manifesto additionally alerts curiosity in reviving regional platforms, promising to make SAARC “efficient” and to pursue ASEAN membership, probably broadening Bangladesh’s diplomatic choices past its instant neighbourhood.The manifesto was unveiled simply six days forward of Bangladesh’s nationwide elections scheduled for February 12, the primary for the reason that ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. With the Awami League barred from contesting, BNP is extensively seen because the entrance runner within the upcoming elections. The political panorama stays polarised, and worldwide observers, together with the Worldwide Disaster Group, have raised considerations over electoral credibility and the danger of unrest.