[Today's Prayer] Deepening Diplomatic Conflict Between India and Bangladesh Over Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Repatriation Issue

The diplomatic conflict between India and Bangladesh over the repatriation of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who lost power in a protest and fled to India, has deepened as both countries have summoned each other's ambassadors to protest.

On the 18th (local time), according to Indian media such as Reuters and NDTV, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced that it had summoned the Bangladeshi Ambassador to India, Mohammed Riyaz Hamidullah, to convey a diplomatic protest over threats to the Indian embassy in Dhaka and incendiary anti-India statements by Bangladeshi political leaders.

In a statement, the Ministry explained, "We have drawn attention to the activities of some extremist forces who have announced plans to create security threats around the Indian embassy in Dhaka."

On the 17th, protesters in Dhaka, Bangladesh, staged a demonstration calling for Hasina's repatriation.

Hasina, who ruled for 21 years, resigned in August last year after a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests that killed up to 1,400 people, according to a UN human rights office estimate.

(Omitted)

India is also concerned about recent remarks by Hasina, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which led the student-led protests that toppled Hasina's government last year.

Hasina reportedly claimed at a recent rally that India was behind the shooting of a student protest leader, Sharif Uddin Ahmed, and suggested that the seven northeastern Indian states bordering Bangladesh - also known as the "Chicken's Neck" due to its narrow width of about 20 kilometers - would "separate from India." These states are considered a geopolitically vulnerable region.

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser (Prime Minister) Mohammed Yunus, plans to hold general elections on February 12, 2025, to normalize the chaotic political situation in Bangladesh after Hasina's resignation.

Source: Yonhap News

It's still early in the day, but I must do the work of the One who sent me. When night comes, no one can work anymore. So long as I am in this world, I will be the light of the world." He spat on the ground and made mud and rubbed it on the man's eyes and said to him, "Go to the pool of Siloam and wash" (Siloam means "sent"). So he went and washed and came back seeing clearly (John 9:4-7).

God, we hear the news that the conflict between India and Bangladesh over the repatriation of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who ruled for 21 years and resigned in August last year after a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests that killed up to 1,400 people, is deepening as both countries are summoning each other's ambassadors to protest.

May all the unresolved old emotions between India and Bangladesh be resolved first through forgiveness and reconciliation among local churches, and may Sheikh Hasina repent of her past sins and sincerely apologize to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the protests.

Especially, we pray that the leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who recently claimed that India was behind the shooting of a student protest leader and suggested that the seven northeastern Indian states bordering Bangladesh would separate from India, may resolve their differences and that the safety of the residents in the border areas of India and Bangladesh may be protected.

May the two peoples of India and Bangladesh quickly find a compromise and may a leader like King Nebuchadnezzar II be raised in next February's Bangladeshi general election to bring stability to the Bangladeshi people.

For this purpose, may the local churches of India and Bangladesh unite in prayer, and may all the hatred between the two peoples, which has obscured their vision, be washed away by the grace of Jesus Christ.

Thus, may we do the work of the One who sent us and proclaim Jesus Christ, the light of the world, to all nations.