Congress MP raises topic of South Asian political instability in Parliament

Raising the Bangladesh issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Congress MP Manish Tewari said many countries in South Asia have been hit by political instability in the past three–four years and asked the government to specify what steps it has taken to maintain political stability in the region.

Tewari said India has had a special relationship with Bangladesh and played a special role in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, due to which the geographical map of South Asia changed for a second time after 1947.

“The situation prevailing in Bangladesh is very sensitive and concerning. In January 2024, the Awami League formed the government under Sheikh Hasina for the fourth time in a row and within six months of that, a situation arose that a movement arose due to which Sheikh Hasina had to resign and even leave the country,” the former Union minister said.

“I want to bring to notice that not just in Bangladesh, in the past three–four years many countries in South Asia have been hit by political instability, be it Myanmar, Sri Lanka, or Maldives. Even in Pakistan, the hold of the military is increasing on the civilian government,” Tewari said.

He further said China’s intervention in the western Indian Ocean has increased.

“India is the most prominent country in South Asia. If there is instability in South Asia, it directly impacts India in a big way. I want to know from the government when External Affairs Minister will make a statement that what are the steps the government has taken in the last few years to maintain political stability in South Asia?” he said.

If this political instability keeps increasing what are the negative impacts on India, Tewari asked.