(MENAFN) India was aware of rising opposition to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before her ousting but lacked the influence to intervene, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reportedly told a parliamentary panel on Saturday, according to The Hindu. Speaking behind closed doors, Jaishankar stated that India could only "advise" Hasina, as it did not have the necessary leverage over her leadership.

Hasina was forcibly removed from power in August 2024 and later sought refuge in India. Since her ousting and the appointment of Muhammad Yunus—one of her critics—as chief adviser to Bangladesh’s caretaker government, relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have become strained.

Despite tensions, Bangladesh has recently signaled a willingness to mend ties. Yunus told BBC Bangla that maintaining strong relations with India is essential, acknowledging the deep historical, political, and economic connections between the two countries. “There is no alternative to good relations,” he stated.

Relations were further tested in February when the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut funding for multiple programs, including a $29 million initiative aimed at improving Bangladesh’s political climate. The Indian Express reported that the details of the funding recipients were not disclosed. According to The Hindu, Jaishankar pointed to “external actors” playing a role in Bangladesh’s internal affairs while briefing MPs.

The developments come ahead of next month’s Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Thailand, where Yunus is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Jaishankar did not confirm whether such a meeting would take place.

During the parliamentary discussion, lawmakers also raised concerns about Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, where ethnic armed groups have intensified their fight against the military junta since the 2021 coup. The conflict's potential impact on India’s northeastern states was also discussed.

Following the meeting, Jaishankar shared on X that the discussion covered India’s relationships with Bangladesh, the Maldives, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

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