
India always takes pride in helping its neighbors when they needed the most. So, what happens this time, which forced India to respond much later and then announce a meagre $1 million aid package for cyclone-ravaged Bangladesh? Countries like Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia and EU pledged huge money, relief materials other
support immediately. However, despite being the biggest and most-important partner of Bangladesh, showed complete apathy.
Definitely, India was in a better position to dispatch medical personnel, army helicopters and other infrastructural help, but it did not. However, in the past, India indeed responded immediately with these resources. Here the question is "Is India right in
ignoring Bangladesh in trouble times"? If we consider the
humanitarian aspects, the government attitude cannot be justified. However, there are other angles attached to India's lack of interest in Bangladesh affairs.
First, Bangladesh never showed any respect and obligation to its biggest neighbor. The ruling Islamic parties always worked against India's interests. During the past decade, Bangladesh has become a
hub of anti-Indian terrorist activities. In addition, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) always clashed with the BSF and even
shot at innocent Indian civilians staying on the border region. Despite all these developments, India always showed restraint and never took any harsh action.
Bangladesh always created problems and continued to test the patience of its trusted neighbor. Illegal immigration from Bangladesh remained a big
problem for India and the Bangladesh government and army played a major role in pushing them into Indian territories. India had been forced to shelter millions of refugees in its soil, who in turn always indulged in violent, subversive and other anti-social activities.
The above factors have contributed significantly to India's lack of interest in Bangladesh. India always did its best to help the people of Bangladesh. But the successive Bangladesh governments hardly reciprocated with the same gesture. They just added salt to India's injury. Ironically, they did not even hesitate to lend tacit support to Pakistan and
ISI against India. It may sound strange and odd, but I will support the Indian government's move in this matter. There is no point to offer maximum help to a hostile neighbor that acted against us despite all our generosity.