Multi-party democracy in Maldives is facing a major crisis in the wake of a bitter political struggle between the president and the opposition-dominated national parliament.
Recent arrests prove the close relationship between Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and extremist groups that have vowed to turn Bangladesh into an Islamic state.
There is a need to modify existing laws and if need be create new ones so that extremists and terrorists do not go scot-free and continue to pose a threat to the country.
Chairperson: Shri Ajit K Doval
External Discussants: E N Ram Mohan and J N Roy
Internal Discussants: Brig(retd.) Ramel Dahiya and Dr. Smruti S Pattanaik
If the growth of Islamic extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh is a threat to Indian security, then the presence of China with which India’s interests have the potential to clash is also of security concern.
The Maldives is well on the road towards a genuine democracy and the years to come will show how it manages modernisation, liberal democracy and Islam all together.
The latest arrests underline the lack of cooperation among security agencies in South Asia and the support base that exists in Bangladesh for terrorist groups.
The punishment of Mujib’s killers will hopefully now delegitimize this process and strengthen democracy in Bangladesh.
To the credit of Shaikh Hasina she managed the foreign policy of Bangladesh as well as macro economic situation of the country well.