Monday, February 17, 2025

Bangladesh And Bharat: ‘Rice, Rice, Baby’!

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Yunus’ Bangladesh is back at it again – making headlines as a self-proclaimedeconomic miraclewhile quietly relying on Bharat’s traders to keep its rice pots boiling. However, this time, it’s not the Bangladeshi government begging directly for rice relief from India. Instead, Bharat’s private traders have stepped in as proxies, with one securing a tender at the lowest price among Indian and international bidders.

But let’s not forget the irony here – The Economist’s “Nation of the Year” – simmering in anti-India campaigns and unchecked Hindu genocide – needs Indian traders to replenish its low rice reserves.

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The decreasing trade volumes and volatile political climate have the RBI overseeing payments due to Bangladesh’s partial or pending transactions. In a Bangladeshi tender for rice, an Indian vendor emerged as the winner. The trade is yet to be executed, but it has already set tongues wagging. Let’s dive into the complexities of this curious relationship!

Bangladesh – Boycotts, Genocide, and Rice Tenders

Baba Banaras™ on X: "Amidst depleting Food reserve and Inflation, Bangladesh has requested India to give it 50,000 tonnes of rice at a discounted price. What is your view, Should India give
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Bangladesh burns with anti-India fervor of radical Islamists, withIndia Outcampaigns gaining traction. Indian goods are facing aboycottin markets. And Yunus’ coterie of advisers release terrorists wanted by India! Why? Well, thesepolitical advisersare committing these actions against the alleged Indian interference in Bangladeshi elections. Thereby, giving their Islamist brothers a free hand to commit Hindu genocide and boycotts.

But while the streets chant slogans against Bharat, the reality is starkly different—Bangladesh can’t survive without India.

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Recent floods have destroyed approximately 1.1 million metric tons of rice in Bangladesh, creating a massive shortfall in food reserves. This crisis has forced the country to look toward imports. And guess who’s their most viable option? Bharat, of course. Multiple Indian suppliers bid for a chance to export rice to Bangladesh. One Indian trader secured the deal, offering non-basmati parboiled rice at competitive rates of around $456.67 per tonne.

Hence, Bangladesh is not exactly begging Bharat, but when you’re this dependent on a neighbor, the optics aren’t great.

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Bangladesh Rice Crisis: What’s in It for Bharat?

Bangladesh’s situation isn’t as dire as outright begging for food relief. However, the Arakan Army has sealed Myanmar’s border leading to halt in trade. Thus, Bangladesh’s dependency on Bharat and Indian trade remains strong. Here’s how Bharat stands to benefit and what risks come with the territory:

KDC AGRO & TEXTILE INDUSTRIES on LinkedIn: Indian rice lowest offer in Bangladesh tender for 50,000 TON An official…
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Pros of Trading Rice

  1. Economic Gains: Indian traders and farmers will benefit from the deal. It will also stop theblack markettrade of rice from profit-mongers in Bharat.
  2. Diplomatic Leverage: Bangladesh’s dependency provides Bharat with a strategic edge in diplomatic dialogues. With basic necessities on the line, Bharat may gain space for diplomatic maneuvering in the future.
  3. Humanitarian Image: Supporting a neighbor in need strengthens Bharat’s standing as a regional power with a big heart. Similar to the Maldives, allowing trade will ensure profit for traders and positive influence in the Yunus regime!

Cons of Facilitating Trade

  1. Payment Risks: With Bangladesh’s history of delayed or partial payments, RBI’s vigilance is justified. With a crashing global market, Bharat can ill afford financial mishaps.
  2. Political Backlash: Helping a country that fuels anti-India sentiments and allows Hindu genocide could draw criticism from voters and opposition. Bangladesh’s advisers are a thankless lot, they may feel emboldened in their anti-Hindu stance if Bharat does not flex its economical muscles in their face.
  3. Unreliable Ally: Despite decades of aid, every time a regime change occurs in Bharat and Hindu spay in blood in Bangladesh. With a growing partnership with China and Pakistan, Yunus’ regime is inviting enemies to Bharat’s doorstep. And such actions suggest that Yunus’Kangludeshis anything but a trustworthy partner.

Conditions Bharat Must Demand

भारत के बिना बांग्लादेश का गुजारा मुश्किल, फिर मंगाएगा ये जरूरी चीज | Bangladesh Interim Government import rice from India
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If Bharat is to facilitate this rice trade, it must make Bangladesh meet critical conditions that ensure fairness, security, and goodwill. Here’s what should be on the table:

  1. Address Radicalism: Bangladesh must enact and enforce strict measures to curb the rise of Islamic radicalism. Concrete steps to dismantle terrorist networks and secure borders must be taken to ensure long-term regional stability.
  2. Protect Minorities: The unchecked anti-Hindu pogroms in Bangladesh must stop. The regime must implement and publicly commit to policies that ensure the safety and dignity of Hindus and other minorities.
  3. Lift the ISKCON Ban: Bangladesh must immediately lift the ban on ISKCON activities and release all ISKCON members facing fabricated charges. This includes dropping all cases against ISKCON monk Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu. Demonstrating goodwill by allowing ISKCON to resume its spiritual and humanitarian work will be a critical sign of sincerity.
  4. Fair Trade Practices: The anti-India product boycotts must end. Fake anti-Bharat sentiments must face harsh actions. Bangladesh should pledge to promote reciprocal and transparent trade relations with Bharat.
  5. Accountability in Transactions: To ensure smooth trade, all payments must be timely and transparent. A joint Indo-Bangladeshi committee should oversee the transaction process to prevent fraud or mismanagement.

Food for Thought

Unorthodox spin to India's diplomacy - The Statesman
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Bangladesh’s rice deal with an Indian trader reflects the harsh reality of its economic and geopolitical vulnerabilities. While Yunus and his Islamist advisers stoke anti-India sentiments, the nation can’t help but rely on Bharat when disaster strikes.

For Bharat, the choice is clear: use this dependency to demand reforms and strengthen its regional influence.

Let Bangladesh know that while Bharat is willing to help, it will only do so on its own terms. After all, no one likes to feed a neighbor who’s throwing stones at their window. By holding firm and attaching strings to every grain of rice, Bharat can ensure that thisfriendfinally stops biting the hand that feeds it.

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