Bangladesh Political Landscape and Implications for the Region

A webinar with Prof Dr Aminul Karim, Dr Sreeradha Datta, Mr. Binoj Basnyat & Dr Rinita Majumdar.

The panel analyzes the seismic change in Bangladesh Political Landscape leading to the resignation and departure of country’s former Prime Minister to India, through the regional and bilateral lens.

1. What are the key aspirations of political transition in Bangladesh spearheaded by the Gen Zs?
2. How will the interim government, headed by Prof Yunus bring domestic stability and establish people-to-people connections at the bi-lateral level to ensure the democratic future of the country?
3. What are the regional challenges for Bangladesh? What new initiatives should the interim government take to overcome these challenges?
4. What are the obstacles for India pursue a people-centric foreign policy strategy and how would you characterize India's relation with Bangladesh's interim government?
5. What would it take for both the countries to view each other as a reliable partner to revive regional solidarity with the recent political changes?
6. What are the immediate and long-term impacts on trade, connectivity, and regional partnerships. What are the challenges? (8) mins.
7. Do you think that the GenZ’s movement in Bangladesh holds water to create any ripple in India?
8. What do you think are the key challenges that can impact the peace and stability in South Asia?
9. How do you compare the political changes in Bangladesh with those of Nepal and Sri Lanka – with a focus on transitional justice and reconciliation?
10. What policy would you suggest for small states in South Asia to pursue for maintaining strategic autonomy and policy sovereignty?
11. Do you think that the countries in South Asia are drifting away from the egalitarian principles of secularism (through instruments like CAA, NRC, rise of religion-based identity politics) and why?
12. How would you characterize the views of GenZ’s on religion-based identity politics?
13. What are the potential challenges and pathways to view citizens as “human” to ensure human rights as opposed to as “minorities” to ensure “minority rights”?