ISLAMABAD, Aug 8 (Alliance News): Dr. Shafqat Munir, a research fellow at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and an expert on South Asian affairs, expressed optimism on Thursday about the potential shift in South Asian power dynamics following the fall of Bangladesh’s Hasina Wajid-led government.
He believes this change could bolster the Bangladesh-China-Pakistan regional initiative for peace and development.
In a discussion on SDTV, Dr. Munir noted that the recent unrest in Bangladesh stemmed from the Awami League’s divisive policies and pro-Indian stance.
He argued that these policies failed to resonate with the sentiments of three generations of Bangladeshis, including those who lived in united Pakistan, those who grew up in Bangladesh with lingering historical grievances, and the new generation without such baggage.
Dr. Munir shared that a significant portion of the population felt disillusioned by the country’s tilt towards India under Hasina. He highlighted that while a faction of the population supported Hasina’s pro-Indian approach, the broader public did not.
He suggested that Hasina’s reliance on India and its leaders, particularly Modi, was a strategic misstep, especially given Modi’s weakened position after the 2024 Indian elections.
He also commented on Modi’s role in undermining the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), suggesting that with Hasina’s fall, there might be a chance to revive SAARC and counteract India’s previously obstructive stance.
Dr. Munir recounted encounters with individuals who fondly remembered their time in united Pakistan and felt that the separation was driven by external interests rather than genuine local desire.
He pointed out that the Bangladeshi military and state institutions had ultimately supported the people’s uprising against Hasina’s government, reflecting a broader sentiment against Indian influence.
He expressed hope that the new political landscape would lead to improved relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Dr. Munir anticipated that the fall of Hasina could lead to a more balanced approach in regional politics, with Pakistan and Bangladesh potentially mending their ties.
He criticized the previous regime’s harsh stance towards Pakistan and expressed optimism about future cooperation and trade improvements.
Dr. Munir also observed that the defeat of Modi and the shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape could reduce India’s influence in the region.
He emphasized that South Asians are inherently democratic and liberal and predicted that a return to these values would bring stability to South Asia, countering the extremism and populism that have caused divisions.
