Delhi to stand behind Sheikh Hasina following Dhaka terror attack

Following the Dhaka carnage, New Delhi has resolved to solidly back Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whom it sees as the last hope for a tolerant Bangladesh. The terror strike on innocent foreigners and the repeated attacks on minorities has unnerved both India and the west, who are worried about the rampant religious radicalisation in Bangladesh. India is carefully watching the situation unfolding in its neighbouring country, even as the mortal remains of Indian teenager Tarishi Jain — who was one of the victims of the ghastly terror attack at a Dhaka bakery— were cremated in Gurgaon on Monday.

The family of 18-year-old victim Tarishi wanted her cremation to be conducted away from media glare and wanted their privacy to be respected by the media. Tarishi’s family had informed the government about their wish in this regard. New Delhi is also worried about the strong links between radicals and the political opponents of Ms Hasina. Bangladesh has witnessed a string of attacks on religious minorities.

With Bangladesh insisting there is no ISIS network there and the terrorist acts are being committed by home-grown radicals, Delhi seems to be veering around to the view that while the terrorist acts are being committed by home-grown radicals there, these elements seem to be deriving ideological inspiration from the ISIS.

India had said it was looking at the “problem” in the neighbouring country with “seriousness”.

New Delhi had said that Bangladesh had apprehended about 11,000 persons so far in the crackdown on those suspected of carrying out attacks on that country’s religious minorities as well as foreigners. The ministry of external affairs had said last week that India “trusted” Bangladesh’s assurances in this regard and had also said that Dhaka had told New Delhi that local “Jamaat and other criminal elements” were responsible for the attacks on minorities and not the ISIS.