India Flags Pakistan Role In Bangladesh Protests, Backs Awami League Demand For Free & Fair Polls

Bangladesh’s unfolding political crisis has triggered serious concern in India, with former envoy Veena Sikri alleging that Pakistan is using Jamaat-e-Islami to push its agenda in Dhaka. She warned that Jamaat is attempting to gain leverage within the Bangladesh Army, a move she described as dangerous and provocative. As multiple Islamist parties roll out protest plans and demand electoral changes, Sikri backed Sheikh Hasina’s call to lift the ban on the Awami League and ensure truly free, fair and inclusive elections. India’s position, she said, is clear that stability in Bangladesh depends on democratic legitimacy, not street pressure or external manipulation. With Pakistan’s shadow looming large, New Delhi is watching Dhaka closely as the region edges towards a critical political moment.