Latest news with #ParliamentaryStandingCommitteeonExternalAffairs
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
China's expanding strategic presence in Indian Ocean Region is a challenge for India: Parliament Committee Report
The growing presence of extra-regional players in the India Ocean Region (IOR), especially China gaining a foothold in the region, is one of the strategic challenges for India, reads the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. The report, released earlier this week, further reads that China has been undertaking several infrastructure projects focusing on ports, airports and the logistics sector for dual-use purposes, in addition to deploying research and survey vessels in the region to augment maritime domain awareness, and collect sensitive oceanography and marine data. Explained | China's moves in the Indian Ocean On the extent of inroads made by China in the IOR, how aggressive China is, and how secure India's position is, the report reads that China has expanded its naval power in the region by increasing the number of vessels and duration of deployment. This has been facilitated by establishing a military base in Djibouti in 2017 and the creation of dual-use infrastructure astride critical maritime choke points in the IOR to serve logistics support functions. The report further reads that as part of this strategy, China is also developing ports and other infrastructure facilities in the littoral countries of the IOR, including in the vicinity of India's maritime boundary, and has a stated goal of becoming a maritime power. India has been working closely with partner countries in the region and sensitising them on China's activities and the long-term implications for their internal and regional security. In December 2024, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reiterated his country's stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India, as well as towards regional stability. While the Indian government is aware of China's engagements with other countries, including Sri Lanka, India's relations with these countries stand on their own footing and are independent of the relations of these countries with third countries, the report reads. Also Read: All eyes are now on the Indian Ocean region Replying to the government's perception towards China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its debt-trapped diplomacy, the report mentioned that the Government of India has had a principled position on the initiative. Their concerns arise inter alia from the inclusion of the so-called illegal China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a flagship project of BRI, which impinges on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. The so-called illegal 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor' passes through parts of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. The government has conveyed its concerns to the Chinese side on multiple occasions and has asked them to cease such activities. 'We have been clear that militarisation of the Indian Ocean Region is not desirable and it will adversely impact security of the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific,' the report mentioned regarding potential military use of ports and infrastructures by China developed in IOR.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Bangladesh Army Not As Radical As Pakistan's': Experts To Parliamentary Panel On External Affairs
Last Updated: The experts assured the Shashi Tharoor-led standing committee that there was no immediate cause for alarm regarding Bangladesh, especially compared to Pakistan Concerns about the radicalisation of youth in neighbouring countries were discussed during a key meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Dr Shashi Tharoor. The discussion, focused on India-Bangladesh relations, included expert testimonies from former national security adviser Shivshankar Menon, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), former High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das, and strategic affairs analyst Professor Amitabh Mattoo. The meeting addressed the growing apprehensions over China and Pakistan's increased engagement with Bangladesh. Several committee members expressed concern about the implications of this evolving regional dynamic, given India's already strained ties with both China and Pakistan. However, experts assured the panel that there was no immediate cause for alarm regarding Bangladesh, especially compared to Pakistan. According to the experts, the Pakistani army remains deeply radicalised, unlike the Bangladeshi army, which does not exhibit similar traits. This distinction is a key factor in assessing the strategic outlook of India's eastern neighbour. They also noted that media narratives often exaggerate the closeness between Bangladesh and India's adversaries. BJP MP Kiran Choudhry, also a member of the panel, recalled her father Brigadier Atma Singh Sejwal's contribution during the Bangladesh Liberation War, reiterating India's longstanding friendship with Bangladesh. In response to a question about Sheikh Hasina's presence in India and how it might be perceived in Bangladesh, the experts drew parallels with India's historic record of granting refuge—from the Dalai Lama to various political figures—reinforcing that this aligns with India's humanitarian ethos. Opposition MPs also emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral engagement, particularly because states like West Bengal and Tripura share deep linguistic and cultural ties—and long, porous borders—with Bangladesh. Several members proposed increasing people-to-people exchanges, including media and journalist programmes, to deepen mutual understanding. Chairman Shashi Tharoor described the session as 'an excellent and in-depth discussion", confirming that a detailed report would be submitted to Parliament soon. 'We had first-class experts before the committee today. Members raised many important questions, and we received comprehensive responses," he said. On the politically sensitive issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh—often flagged by BJP leaders across states like West Bengal and Jharkhand—Tharoor noted that the number of such cases has 'significantly declined", based on inputs received by the committee. When asked about the ongoing water-sharing disputes and whether the issue was discussed, especially in light of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's concerns, Tharoor said, 'You'll have to wait for the final report to know more." The last major meeting on India-Bangladesh ties took place in December, when foreign secretary Vikram Misri briefed the committee. He addressed questions on bilateral relations and spoke at length about the reported violence against the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
MPs across party lines in parliamentary panel support forward-looking policy for Bangladesh
At a special interaction between four leading experts and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, MPs cutting across party lines displayed a desire to 'move ahead' with India's relation with Bangladesh, it has been learnt. The Hindu had earlier reported that the interaction between the Congress MP Shashi Tharoor-led parliamentary committee and four experts was scheduled for Friday (June 27, 2025) afternoon, where the MPs were expected to be briefed on the latest developments in Dhaka and what India can do to recover the lost ground. 'All Members of Parliament displayed pathos and understanding of the issues between India and Bangladesh and there was a real desire among the MPs to mend the bilateral ties and take things forward,' said a source on condition of anonymity about the interaction between the four experts — former National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das, Lieutenant-General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and Dean of School of International Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University Amitabh Mattoo. Also read | Analysis: Why Hasina fell The Hindu has learnt that the interaction went on for two and a half hours, as the MPs wanted to hear all the suggestions for repairing the ties that nosedived after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a public agitation in August 2024. 'It was a general understanding that Bangladesh is connected through common culture and language and that it should not be viewed as a hostile neighbour like Pakistan,' said a source giving a hint about the discussion that took place in the meeting. The MPs also opined that India should carry out a soft launch of cultural diplomacy involving West Bengal to soften some of the harsh exchanges between the two sides. Bangladesh has recently made a move in that direction with a meeting between its High Commissioner M. Riaz Hamidullah and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata last Monday (June 23, 2025). 'West Bengal and Bangladesh are connected through a common language and culture, the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam and this vital link should be utilised for para-diplomacy between New Delhi and Dhaka through public events and interactions,' said a source privy to the discussion held by the Standing Committee. The MPs also raised questions about the China factor in Bangladesh, illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India, and the trilateral meeting between the foreign office officials of Bangladesh, Pakistan and China that was held in Kunming on June 19, 2025.
Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
‘Decline in number of Bangladeshi migrants entering India': Shashi Tharoor after Parliamentary panel meeting
Shashi Tharoor, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, said infiltration from Bangladesh has been reduced after the panel's meeting on Friday. 'One number that came up during the meeting is that fewer people from Bangladesh are coming to India now,' Tharoor told reporters after the meeting. In the meeting, the committee recorded evidence of experts/non-official witnesses in connection with the examination of the subject 'Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship'. Tharoor, a Congress Member of Parliament, has been the chairperson of the panel since September 2024. Giving out further details, Tharoor said, 'former foreign secretary and ex-NSA Shivshankar Menon, Lieutenant General (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das and Professor Amita - the four experts gave us very good insights and excellent ideas.' He said there were 16 members of the committee in attendance and it was a first class discussion." 'The final details about the numbers will be in the report,' Tharoor said. India has strongly condemned the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka, criticising the role of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in allowing the destruction and projecting it as a case of illegal land use. At a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, the extremists were clamouring for demolishing the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as a case of illegal land use and allowed the destruction of the temple, Jaiswal said. This, the MEA spokesperson said has resulted in damage to the deity before it was shifted. Bangladesh Railway authorities on Thursday demolished a makeshift Durga Temple constructed on its land in Dhaka's Khilkhet, Bangladesh-based newspaper New Age reported. The temple was demolished three days after a mob demanded the removal of the temple. The Bangladesh Railway authorities said that they demolished Khilkhet Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Mandir as it was constructed illegally on railway land. Earlier in May, India imposed restrictions on the entry of Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG) and other products through its northeastern land ports -- Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram -- and Fulbari and Changrabandha in West Bengal, following controversial remarks by Bangladesh's interim chief advisor Muhammad Yunus. During a speech in China, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Yunus had described India's northeastern states as a "landlocked region with no access to the ocean." This comment has sparked diplomatic friction, with Indian officials viewing it as undermining the region's connectivity and status. One number that came up during the meeting is that fewer people from Bangladesh are coming to India now. The new restrictions have forced Bangladesh to reroute exports -- including Ready-Made garments (RMG), plastics, melamine, furniture, juices, carbonated drinks, bakery items, confectionery, and processed foods -- through Kolkata port in West Bengal or Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra, sharply increasing logistics costs. Key Takeaways The number of Bangladeshi infiltrators entering India has decreased, indicating a potential shift in migration patterns. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs is actively examining the future of India-Bangladesh relations. Diplomatic tensions are affecting trade and cultural exchanges, highlighted by the demolition of a Durga temple in Bangladesh.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs to hold meeting today
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs will hold a meeting on Friday. During the meeting, the committee will record evidence of experts/non-official witnesses in connection with the examination of the subject 'Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship'. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has been the chairperson of the Committee of the External Affairs since September 2024. India has strongly condemned the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka, criticising the role of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in allowing the destruction and projecting it as a case of illegal land use. At a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, the extremists were clamouring for demolishing the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as a case of illegal land use and allowed the destruction of the temple, Jaiswal said. This, the MEA spokesperson said has resulted in damage to the deity before it was shifted. It is a matter of grave concern that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh. It is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and their religious institutions, the MEA spokesperson stated. Bangladesh Railway authorities on Thursday demolished a makeshift Durga Temple constructed on its land in Dhaka's Khilkhet, Bangladesh-based newspaper New Age reported. The temple was demolished three days after a mob demanded the removal of the temple. The Bangladesh Railway authorities said that they demolished Khilkhet Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Mandir as it was constructed illegally on railway land. The decision of the authorities has been condemned by several minority organisations, alleging that the authorities demolished the temple without providing prior notice to the community people. Earlier in May, India imposed restrictions on the entry of Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG) and other products through its northeastern land ports -- Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram -- and Fulbari and Changrabandha in West Bengal, following controversial remarks by Bangladesh's interim chief advisor Muhammad Yunus. During a speech in China, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Yunus had described India's northeastern states as a 'landlocked region with no access to the ocean.' This comment has sparked diplomatic friction, with Indian officials viewing it as undermining the region's connectivity and status. The new restrictions has forced Bangladesh to reroute exports -- including Ready-Made garments (RMG), plastics, melamine, furniture, juices, carbonated drinks, bakery items, confectionery, and processed foods -- through Kolkata port in West Bengal or Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra, sharply increasing logistics costs. (ANI)
