World
Missile fragments hit Israeli air base amid Iran escalation: IDF
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Jerusalem, June 11 (IANS) The Ramat David Air Base in northern Israel was hit by missile fragments during the latest escalation with Iran, the Israeli military has confirmed.
The hit caused minor damage to the base but did not disrupt flight operations, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official told Israel's state-owned Army Radio on Wednesday (local time).
Previously, Israeli media reports, citing satellite imagery, have said that the key Israeli military base appeared to have been hit, according to Xinhua news agency.
Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Sunday, which killed at least two people and injured about 20 others, triggered a series of mutual attacks between Iran and Israel from Sunday night into Monday, marking the most serious escalation since a ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel in April.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced late Sunday that it launched ballistic missiles at the Ramat David Air Base in response to Israel's "widespread crimes" in Lebanon, which the IDF did not comment on back then.
Later on Monday, Iran and Israel signalled a halt to their attacks against each other. Still, Israel has warned that it would strike Beirut in response to any attack on northern Israel and continue attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon, whereas Iran has cautioned that any further Israeli attack on Iran or Lebanon would trigger a much more "severe and crushing" response from Tehran.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military launched new strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, attacking the city of Tyre and other areas.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it had struck six Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the Tyre area over the past day, including a site used to launch drones at Israeli troops in Lebanon.
The military said it also struck rocket launchers in other parts of southern Lebanon.
Thousands of civilians fled Tyre on Tuesday following Israeli warnings.
According to Lebanon's National News Agency, Israeli strikes on a residential neighbourhood in Tyre killed at least eight people and injured 35 others, including six women and three children.
The Israeli military also said it killed Khader Jamasi, whom it described as the head of Hamas' funds transfer network, along with his deputy, Muhammad Harazin, in the Gaza Strip.
--IANS
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Trump hails PM Modi on record tenure
Washington, June 11 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister, describing him as "a Great One" and praising his leadership and prospects.
"Congratulations to my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister – And a Great One he is! He is a strong, healthy, and wise man, and will have many years of Greatness and Success ahead of him!" President Donald J. Trump said.
Trump's message led a series of congratulatory remarks from American political leaders, business executives and prominent members of the Indian diaspora marking Modi's milestone of 4,399 days in office.
US Senator John Cornyn said Modi's achievement reflected the confidence Indian voters had reposed in him across three consecutive electoral mandates.
"Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister — 4,399 days of leadership earned through the trust of 1.4 billion people across three democratic mandates," Cornyn wrote.
"From lifting 250 million out of poverty to making India the world's fastest-growing major economy, PM Modi's tenure has been nothing short of transformational. The US-India partnership has never been stronger," he added.
Arun Agarwal, Co-founder of the Indian American CEO Council and Chair of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, said the milestone provided an opportunity to assess India's transformation over the past decade.
"The India of 2026 is not the India of 2014," Agarwal wrote in a commentary. He said it was "difficult to deny that India today stands taller, speaks louder, and commands greater attention on the global stage than it did a decade ago."
He added: "For many decades, India was often described as a nation with enormous potential. Today, it is increasingly viewed as a nation realising that potential."
He argued that global leaders increasingly seek India's partnership and that international corporations now see India "not merely as a market but as a strategic destination for investment and innovation."
Agarwal said the last twelve years would likely be remembered as a period that "accelerated India's rise and altered global perceptions of what India can achieve."
Nikesh Arora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Palo Alto Networks, also congratulated Modi.
"Congratulating Prime Minister @narendramodi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister — 4,399 days of leadership earned through the trust of 1.4 billion people across three democratic mandates," Arora wrote.
"From lifting 250 million out of poverty to making India the world's fastest-growing major economy, PM Modi's tenure has been nothing short of transformational. Look forward to a continued US-India partnership," he said.
American singer Mary Millben described the occasion as "a historic, democratic milestone in the journey of a great Nation."
"Today, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister," she said.
Millben also praised PM Modi's stewardship of India-US ties.
"I honor your leadership in advancing the US-India relationship. You have outlasted consecutive US Presidents, some with whom you had a great relationship and others you have had great grace towards, yet you never wavered in exercising clear diplomacy that upheld the interests of the Indian people, coupled with the health of our two countries," she said.
Modi first assumed office in May 2014 and subsequently secured re-election in 2019 and 2024, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in India's democratic history.
During his tenure, India has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, expanded its digital public infrastructure, strengthened its role in international institutions and deepened strategic partnerships with major powers, including the United States. The India-US relationship has witnessed significant growth across defence cooperation, critical and emerging technologies, trade, energy, education and people-to-people exchanges.
--IANS
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Secure America Act signed as Trump touts border gains
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Washington, June 10 (IANS) President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Secure America Act, a major funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and used the White House event to highlight his administration’s immigration enforcement record, border security policies and law-and-order agenda.
“This morning, I'm thrilled to sign the Secure America Act to immediately and fully fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of my term,” Trump said as he was joined by Republican congressional leaders and senior administration officials.
The President said the legislation would provide additional support to immigration and border enforcement agencies.
“We'll give the heroes of ICE and Border Patrol — and that's what they are, they're heroes — the support and resources they need to defend our borders, protect our homeland, and to keep America safe,” he said.
According to Trump, the measure allocates “$38 billion to ICE” and “$26 billion to Border Patrol” to strengthen enforcement and border security.
The signing ceremony quickly evolved into a broader defence of the administration’s immigration policies. Trump accused Democrats of attempting to block DHS funding and argued that the legislation would help sustain what he described as significant progress on border security.
He claimed the administration had dramatically reduced illegal crossings and tightened border controls.
“Starting on day one, we took the most dangerous and unsafe, violent open border in the world, and we created the most secure border anywhere in our country,” Trump said.
Trump also asserted that “in the last 12 months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted into the United States” and said authorities had cut “the flow of fentanyl across our border by almost 60 percent”.
The President linked the funding package to broader crime-reduction efforts, pointing to Washington, D.C., and other cities as examples of what he described as successful law-enforcement initiatives.
“We took out almost 5,000 people out of Washington, D.C.,” Trump said, adding that the city had become “among the safest cities in the country”.
He also praised the work of the National Guard, local law enforcement agencies and congressional Republicans who supported the legislation.
During a question-and-answer session after the signing, Trump expanded beyond domestic issues. Asked about Iran, he said the United States would continue military action following the reported downing of a US military helicopter.
“We're going to be attacking them and attacking them very hard,” Trump said, while again insisting that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon”.
He also mentioned Pakistan while discussing diplomatic efforts regarding Iran.
“I gave them a break at the request of Pakistan; the field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan are great,” Trump said.
The President further indicated that he would soon meet leading artificial intelligence executives, describing AI as “an amazing industry” and saying the administration was discussing ways to ensure the public benefits from its growth.
The Secure America Act follows months of partisan debate in Congress over immigration policy, border enforcement and DHS funding. Immigration remains one of the defining issues of Trump’s second term, with the administration prioritising deportations, border infrastructure and expanded enforcement operations.
DHS oversees agencies including US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration. The department plays a central role in border security, immigration enforcement, disaster response and domestic security operations across the United States.
--IANS
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Bangladesh measles outbreak claims eight more live, death toll surges to 639
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Dhaka, June 9 (IANS) As many as eight children have died from measles outbreak in Bangladesh on Wednesday, raising the total number of confirmed and suspected deaths to 639 since March 15 this year, amid an escalating health crisis in the country, local media reported.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the deaths were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday morning.
Among the latest fatalities, all were identified as suspected, Bangladeshi media outlet UNB reported.
Reports suggest that while the number of confirmed deaths remained at 92, the total number of suspected deaths climbed to 547.
The DGHS recorded a total of 945 suspected measles cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall tally of suspected cases to 82,029.
Additionally, 94 new confirmed cases were reported, increasing the total to 9,927 during the same period.
Bangladesh’s severe measles outbreak continues to spread despite government claims that vaccination coverage has exceeded 100 percent of the targeted children, raising concerns among immunization experts about vaccine effectiveness and coverage gaps, the country’s leading daily, the Dhaka Tribune, reported.
More than a month after a nationwide emergency measles vaccination drive concluded, hospitals across the country admit over 1,000 children daily with measles or measles-like symptoms, while fatalities continue to rise.
The persistent rise in cases has alarmed public health experts, who said that vaccination coverage does not necessarily translate into protection unless children develop sufficient immunity.
"Measles transmission should decline significantly once vaccine coverage exceeds 90 per cent. If vaccination has truly reached the reported level, then infections should have fallen much more sharply by now,” Dhaka Tribune quoted Be-Nazir Ahmed, former director of the government’s disease control branch, as saying.
According to Be-Nazir Ahmed, official targets may not accurately reflect the true size of the eligible children.
"In some cases, coverage may appear to be 100 per cent on paper while thousands of children remain unvaccinated in reality,” he added.
Last week, expressing grave concern over the worsening measles outbreak across the country, the Awami League said that the crisis was not a “natural disaster” but a “man-made failure of governance” that began during the tenure of the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration and has continued under the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government.
The Awami League alleged that the roots of this tragedy lie in “catastrophic decisions” taken during the interim government.
The party further stated that although Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the BNP government assumed office in February this year with full knowledge of the unfolding crisis, the response over the past four months remained “disturbingly inadequate,” as the death toll from the measles outbreak continued to rise.
Calling for urgent action, the Awami League urged the Bangladesh government to declare a national public health emergency with clear timelines, targets, and daily public reporting. It also demanded an accelerated emergency vaccination drive and treatment with full transparency and international oversight.
--IANS
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Indian delegation brings back holy relics of Lord Buddha’s disciples from Mongolia
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Ulaanbaatar, June 10 (IANS) An Indian delegation led by Ladakh Lt. Governor Vinai Saxena departed from the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday aboard a special Indian Air Force (IAF) flight to India, carrying back the holy relics of Lord Buddha’s two chief disciples, Arahant Sariputra and Arahant Maudgalyayana.
“On 10 June 2026, the Indian delegation to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, led by Lt. Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, which came to take back to India the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha‘s two chief disciples, Arahant Sariputra and Arahant Maudgalyayana, from Mongolia for exposition at the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, departed on a special Indian Air Force flight to India,” the Indian Embassy posted on X.
According to the Indian mission, the holy relics of Arahant Sariputra and Arahant Maudgalyayana were on public display at the Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar from May 31 to June 9.
“During the exposition, around 100,000 Mongolian citizens paid their tributes to the Holy Relics. His Eminence Ven. Khamba Nomun Khan Geshe Lharampa D. Javzandorj of the Gandantegchinlen Monastery conveyed his thanks to the delegation and government of India for sending the Holy Relics. Atul Malhari Gotsurve, Ambassador of India, gifted a Mongolian plant sapling to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor at the airport," it added.
The delegation thanked the Indian Embassy, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, and the Government of Mongolia for all the support.
Saxena-led delegation arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Monday to bring back the holy relics to India.
“On 08 June 2026, the Indian delegation led by the Hon'ble Lt. Governor of Ladakh, Mr. Vinai Saxena, arrived at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, by a special Indian Air Force flight to take back to India the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha‘s two chief disciples, Arahant Sariputra and Arahant Maudgalyayana,” the Indian Embassy in Mongolia posted on X.
The visiting delegation was received at the airport by Tserennadmid. Byambadoo, Governor of Arkhangai Province of Mongolia; Indian Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve; and senior monks from the Gandan Monastery.
The relics were brought to Mongolia from India for a 10-day exposition at the Gandantegchinlen Monastery from May 31 to June 9.
--IANS
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Russia extends wishes to PM Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving PM
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Moscow, June 10 (IANS) Russian Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister.
In a statement shared by the Indian Embassy in Russia on X, Peskov detailed how PM Modi became India's Prime Minister despite coming from a common family. Hailing PM Modi's leadership, he stated that 250 million people of India have been lifted out of poverty in the last 12 years. He also highlighted India's economic growth and development and expressed hope that PM Modi will continue to contribute to strengthening bilateral ties.
PM Modi on Wednesday became India's longest-serving Prime Minister, marking 12 years at the helm of the Central government.
“Kremlin’s felicitations on PM Narendra Modi on becoming the longest serving democratically elected Prime Minister of India in consecutive terms: I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to inform you that today, on 10th of June, Prime Minister Modi became the doyen of all Indian Prime Ministers. What does a doyen mean? A doyen is a person who is the Prime Minister of the country for the longest term. In fact he was elected on 26 May 2014 and is still heading the world’s biggest democracy," the Kremlin spokesperson stated.
"He himself descended from a common family and his career has elevated him to the position of the leader of the largest country in the world, almost one and a half billion people. The country where, during Mr. Modi’s leadership, 250 million people were lifted out of poverty. This is a very important indicator for India which is the country where high technologies are being developed, a country that has become one of the leading economic powers in the world with the fastest rates of economic growth and development. And what is most important for us is that this is the country with which we are united by partnership. The country with which we are developing trade and economic ties in all possible areas. Dialogue is ongoing, including in the most sensitive areas. And we hope that Prime Minister Modi will continue to contribute to further development of the India-Russia relations," Peskov added.
Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, discussing various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia.
During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated India's consistent stance of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward, a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) detailed.
Lavrov briefed PM Modi on the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since the meeting of the two leaders in December 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
"Prime Minister requested Foreign Minister Lavrov to convey his warm greetings to President Putin," the PMO stated.
--IANS
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Pakistan using brutal force against people fed up with severe poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in PoK
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Islamabad, June 10 (IANS) Islamabad's actions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are not about security but maintaining an illegitimate hold through fear. Pakistani security forces have using brutal force against people holding protest against decades of exploitation, political disenfranchisement, and economic neglect, a report has stated.
In recent days, protests have erupted in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Neelum, and other areas. Led by platforms like the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the protesters have demanded an end to elite privileges, cheaper essential commodities like wheat and electricity, the removal of reserved seats for outsiders and basic political rights, a report in Khalsa Vox mentioned.
Pakistani forces responded to protesters with tear gas, water cannons, live ammunition, and mass arrests. As per reports, at least 11-12 people have been killed and more than 70 others have been injured, suspension of internet services have been put in place in PoK. However, protesters have claimed that casualties are higher, with dozens detained and a communications blackout is hiding the full scale of the crackdown.
"This is no isolated incident. It fits a grim pattern. In 2025, similar protests over inflation, resource exploitation (like the Mangla Dam and Neelum-Jhelum projects that benefit Pakistan while locals suffer), and governance failures met lethal force, leaving multiple dead in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and surrounding districts. Pakistani authorities flood the region with troops from Punjab, impose curfews, and label legitimate grievances as 'terrorism'. The message is clear: dissent against Islamabad’s stranglehold will be met with overwhelming violence," the Khalsa Vox report detailed.
People's grievances in PoK are rooted in systemic betrayal. Residents in PoK face severe poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment despite the strategic and natural wealth of the region. Pakistan extracts resources from PoK and provide the people of the region little in return. As per the report, Pakistani military and bureaucracy handles the political structure of PoK instead of local representatives. Protesters have been demanding self-rule, accountability, and an end to the plundering of resources. However, Pakistan continues to treat the people of PoK as subjects and not citizens and using the repressive tactics.
"Pakistan’s actions in PoK are not about security; they are about preserving an illegitimate hold through fear. As protests swell and the death toll rises, the world sees the truth: 'Azad' Kashmir is neither free nor just. True justice demands an end to this occupation and respect for the aspirations of a long-suffering people. The guns of Pakistani forces may temporarily silence the streets, but they cannot extinguish the cry for dignity and self-determination," the report stated further.
On Tuesday, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the escalating confrontation in PoK and loss of life of protesters and law enforcement personnel.
HRCP has called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and stated that demands for constitutional change should be pursued through peaceful, representative and democratic processes instead of confrontation and violence.
In a statement shared on X, HRCP mentioned, "We urge an immediate de-escalation of tensions and an impartial investigation into all deaths and injuries. The state must remember that proscribing popular movements invariably risks narrowing democratic space. Demands for constitutional change should be pursued through peaceful, representative and democratic processes rather than confrontation and violence."
--IANS
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Pakistan army Mi-17 helicopter crashes in PoK, all on board killed
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Islamabad, June 10 (IANS) A Mi-17 helicopter of Pakistan army's aviation wing crashed near Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's (PoK) city of Muzaffarabad on Wednesday due to a technical fault during the take-off, local media reported after confirmation from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the official media and public relations wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
All personnel on board the helicopter were killed in the crash. Pakistan military's media affairs wing stated that rescue and recovery teams have rushed to the crash site and an inquiry has been ordered to find the exact technical cause of the accident, leading Pakistani daily Dawn reported.
Last September, five crew members died after an Pakistani army helicopter crashed in Diamer district of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) after it faced a technical fault, the ISPR had said in a statement. All the crew members on board had died in the crash.
"On 1 Sep 25, at around 1000 hours, an MI-17 helicopter crash landed near Hudor village, approximately 12 kilometres away from Thakdas Cantonment," the ISPR said in the statement.
"The helicopter was on routine training flying when it developed a technical fault and crashed," it added.
In August 2025, five crew members were killed after a Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government helicopter which was supposed to carry flood relief supplies crashed in a tribal district, The Express Tribune had reported.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's then Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had stated that MI-17 aircraft crashed in Mohmand district while it was heading to the flood-hit Salarzai area of Bajaur district, after losing contact in bad weather. Gandapur had confirmed that all the crew members on board the chopper had died in the crash, the newspaper had reported.
Earlier in 2022, the wreckage of the Pakistan Army helicopter that went missing in Balochistan was found in Lasbela district. According to a statement released by the ISPR, all six officers and soldiers who were on board the helicopter were killed in the crash.
--IANS
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With eye on Turkey, India expanding its defence footprint in Eastern Mediterranean: Report
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Athens, June 10 (IANS) India's readiness to export advanced defence equipment to Turkey’s rivals is largely viewed as a "counterbalance" to Ankara’s sustained military and diplomatic support for Pakistan on global platforms, a report has stated.
A report in 'Greek City Times' citing Turkish defence analyst Ardan Zenturk stated that Greece’s prospective acquisition of the Indian supersonic BrahMos missile could significantly shift the military balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
It added that Turkish media and defence circles voiced concern over an emerging multi-billion-dollar strategic defence partnership taking shape between India, Greece, and Cyprus.
"The BrahMos missile, capable of speeds between Mach 2.8 and 3.0, flies at extremely low altitudes — skimming as low as 10 metres above the sea surface. Analysts like Zenturk argue this capability could blind or overwhelm Turkey’s Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence systems," the report detailed.
"For Greece and Cyprus, land-based coastal BrahMos batteries represent a highly economical solution compared to building large surface fleets. At an estimated $3.5 million per missile, a limited number of well-positioned launchers could create a potent anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) shield, putting Turkey's larger navy at a significant disadvantage," it added.
According to the report, concerns are not limited to the BrahMos missile, with Turkey also closely monitoring India's development of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM), which could pose a threat to critical infrastructure on the Turkish mainland from the Aegean islands.
As direct weapons transfers to Greece could trigger diplomatic and legal complications within NATO, Turkish intelligence reportedly believes Cyprus may be used as an indirect conduit.
“New Delhi and Nicosia recently upgraded relations to a strategic partnership and signed a five-year defence cooperation roadmap. Cyprus is also exploring a €1.2 billion defence procurement package under the EU’s SAFE programme, which includes interest in Indian cruise missiles and kamikaze drones," the report mentioned.
It noted that while no official sales agreement has been announced by New Delhi or Athens, the BrahMos missile’s psychological and tactical deterrent effect has already compelled Ankara to reconsider its security posture.
Last month, a report stated that as India advances on its path to becoming a major arms exporter, the BrahMos missile stands out as a symbol of its growing defence strength. It stressed that expanding expertise in missile manufacture and the increasing outreach, especially in the Global South, are strengthening India’s "Defence Atmanirbharta", while elevating its position on the global stage.
According to a report in 'India Narrative', defence exports have emerged as a key foreign policy tool of India as the country seeks to establish itself as a major global player while strengthening its diplomatic influence and global partnerships.
--IANS
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Pakistan’s failure to address 1971 ‘genocide’ casts shadow on ties with Bangaldesh
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Dhaka/Islamabad, June 10 (IANS) Despite recent diplomatic warmth, Bangladesh–Pakistan relations continue to be shadowed by unresolved historical grievances. The absence of a formal apology from Pakistan over the 1971 “genocide” of Bangladeshis along with lingering disputes over assets owed to Dhaka remain core obstacles, a report has stated.
According to a report in online magazine, ‘The Diplomat,' the recent warmth in Bangladesh–Pakistan relations appears to be driven more by geopolitical calculations than by genuine mutual trust.
It added that the absence of strong commercial infrastructure required to meet Bangladesh's import needs makes it difficult to position itself as a viable alternative to India.
Highlighting that the “greatest source of unease” in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations remains the 1971 war, the report said, "Memories of the genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani forces on Bangladeshi intellectuals and masses, and the atrocities committed against women, remain deeply etched in the minds of the Bangladeshi people.
“Consequently, any initiative aimed at improving relations with Pakistan becomes inextricably intertwined with public sentiments. Political parties have often leveraged this history for their own ends, thereby rendering the issue of bilateral relations even more sensitive,” it added.
The report noted that the relationship with Pakistan remained tense between 2008 and 2024 during the tenure of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League in Bangladesh. It added that the friction deepened over the trial and conviction of several leaders of Bangladesh's radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, accused of crimes against humanity for their collaboration with Pakistani forces in the 1971 war.
The report highlighted that on several occasions, Pakistan raised objections to the judicial proceedings, further widening the rift between the two countries.
However, the political transition in Bangladesh following Hasina’s ouster marked a new phase in the relationship. During the tenure of the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, visits by Pakistani ministers and military officials to Bangladesh increased noticeably, alongside a rise in diplomatic and military engagement between the two countries, The Diplomat mentioned.
“Nevertheless, the historical burden remains unresolved. Pakistan has yet to offer a full and formal apology for the genocide committed in 1971. A significant segment of the Bangladeshi population firmly believes that genuine improvement in bilateral relations is impossible without Pakistan’s acknowledgment of its culpability. Consequently, while diplomatic exchanges may have increased, the psychological distance between the two nations remains significant,” it noted.
The report stated that Pakistan’s security apparatus has long drawn international criticism over issues including terrorism, alleged use of terrorist groups as a weapon of its foreign policy, the spread of extremism, and instability along its border with Afghanistan.
These factors, it said, have damaged Pakistan’s global image, prompting analysts to doubt the potential benefits of security cooperation with such a nation for Bangladesh.
--IANS
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