A key parliamentary committee has advised the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish a specialized unit focused on monitoring and countering persistent anti-India narratives, particularly those emanating from sections of media and social media in Bangladesh. This recommendation forms part of a broader report on the future of bilateral ties between the two neighboring nations.
Core Recommendation: A Dedicated Communication Unit
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, in its latest report presented in the Lok Sabha, has put forward 33 specific recommendations. A central proposal is the creation of a dedicated communication and perception management unit within the MEA's External Publicity & Public Diplomacy (XPD) Division. This unit's mandate would be to systematically track, analyze, and respond to misinformation and rhetoric aimed at India.
The panel's suggestion comes against the backdrop of what it describes as "persistent misinformation and anti-India rhetoric in certain sections of Bangladeshi media." In its submission to the committee, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, the MEA stated that it already acts as the nodal agency for managing perceptions in Bangladesh. This work involves coordination with other ministries and agencies to disseminate factual information and correct misperceptions on sensitive issues.
Addressing Key Issues and Recent Events
The ministry highlighted that its current efforts focus on providing correct facts on several critical bilateral matters. These include:
- Water sharing agreements
- Sharing of flood data
- Border security issues and incidents
- Sensitivities involving shared culture, language, and religion
The report also references a specific recent incident that underscores the challenging environment. It notes that a group of radical Islamists, identifying as "July Oikya," recently staged a protest march near the Indian High Commission. Among their demands was the return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh.
Humanitarian Approach and Strategic Concerns
On the subject of Sheikh Hasina's stay in India, the parliamentary committee acknowledged the situation. It affirmed that India's approach is guided by its "civilisational ethos" and "humanitarian tradition" of offering sanctuary to those facing grave distress or existential threats. The panel recommended that the government should "continue to uphold its principled and humanitarian approach," while handling such scenarios with appropriate sensitivity.
Beyond perception management, the committee expressed significant concern regarding China's expanding influence in Bangladesh. It pointed to Beijing's growing role in infrastructure projects, port development, and defence cooperation. The report stressed the importance of safeguarding India's own strategic and security interests, particularly in sensitive areas like the Siliguri Corridor and the Bay of Bengal.
The comprehensive set of recommendations, submitted on December 19, 2025, aims to provide a roadmap for strengthening and securing the vital India-Bangladesh relationship in a complex geopolitical landscape.
