“Biggest Strategic Challenge Since 1971”: Tharoor-Led Panel Highlights China-Pakistan Influence and Warns About the Bangladesh Crisis

Biggest Strategic Challenge Since 1971: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, submitted a report titled “Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship” to Parliament on Thursday. The study emphasized the need of managing the developing situation in the neighboring nation with caution. The current state of events in Bangladesh presents New Delhi with its “greatest strategic challenge” since the 1971 Liberation War, according to the parliamentary panel on foreign affairs.

The panel also emphasized that India must exercise caution while managing Bangladesh’s changing circumstances. The impact of Pakistan and China on the neighboring countries was also highlighted by the Tharoor-led panel.

The topic “Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship” was chosen by the panel to be thoroughly examined in 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. According to the source, a briefing on the topic was given on December 11, 2024, by officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The tribunal then heard testimony from the MEA officials on March 26 and August 4 of this year, the statement said.

“Further, the Committee heard the views of four experts on the subject, namely, Shri Shiv Shankar Menon (former National Security Advisor), Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), Ms Riva Ganguly (former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs) and Dr Amitabh Mattoo (Dean and Professor, School of International Studies, JNU) on 27 June, 2025 in accordance with Rule 331(L) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha,” the report stated.

At their meeting on December 16, the committee reviewed and approved the report.

Bangladesh and India have a “deep-rooted and multifaceted relationship” that is influenced by geographical, cultural, historical, and strategic elements. According to the paper, the bilateral relations have developed into a “strong and comprehensive partnership” since India’s pivotal involvement in Bangladesh’s freedom in 1971.

Panel on Hasina’s Stay in India: Driven by the Nation’s Civilizational Ethos
The panel has taken note of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India, claiming that the nation’s “civilizational ethos” and “humanitarian tradition” of providing sanctuary to people in situations of extreme distress or existential threat serve as the foundation for the country’s approach in this regard.

The Panel’s Suggestion Regarding India-Bangladesh Relations
In accordance with India’s ideals and international obligations, the committee has suggested that the government “continue to uphold its principled and humanitarian approach” while making sure that such circumstances are “managed with due sensitivity.”

“The Committee note that the stay of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, in the country and India’s approach in this regard is guided by its civilisational ethos and humanitarian tradition of offering refuge to individuals facing circumstances of grave distress or existential threat,” stated the report.

Since her removal as Bangladesh’s prime minister on August 5 of last year, in the wake of widespread violent demonstrations in the neighboring nation, Hasina has been residing in India.

Panel Reaction To Hasina’s Request for Extradition
The committee asked “the government to keep the Committee apprised of its consideration of the matter” and said in its report that it had “taken note” of the Bangladeshi government’s request for extradition after Hasina was given the death penalty in absentia.

The Indian government “does not provide her with a political platform or any space to undertake political activity from Indian territory,” according to the panel.