Garment unrest narrows window for Tarique’s India visit: The Hindu

Bangladesh's escalating garment workers' unrest has cast fresh uncertainty over Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's proposed visit to India, complicating efforts by Dhaka and New Delhi to reset relations after months of diplomatic friction.

Indian newspaper The Hindu reported on Wednesday that the labour crisis had narrowed the window for Tarique's visit, which the two countries had been exploring for November.

The newspaper cited a highly placed source as saying that Tarique was being misguided by people within his own circle over his government's India policy.

The report comes as protests demanding higher wages have disrupted production at hundreds of garment factories, placing the government under pressure to contain the unrest.

Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, up from the existing 12,500 taka. The government formed a six-member wage board on November 1 after demonstrations spread across major industrial belts.

The unrest has affected an industry employing around four million workers and accounting for more than 80% of Bangladesh's export earnings, according to Reuters. 

New Delhi has acknowledged that it is closely following developments.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was monitoring the protests while reiterating its willingness to strengthen bilateral relations.

"There have been developments there and we continue to follow those developments," Jaiswal said.

He also confirmed that India's invitation to Tarique remained open but offered no indication of when the visit might take place.

"We've already extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit India," he said. 

The proposed visit has faced diplomatic obstacles since Tarique assumed office in February.

An earlier plan for an August visit fell through amid tensions over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's continued presence in India and her public remarks against the Bangladesh government.

In September, the two countries resumed discussions over a possible November visit, according to The Indian Express.

Bangladesh has sought Hasina's extradition, while India has maintained that the request is being examined under established legal procedures. 

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said in October that Dhaka had not ruled out the visit but wanted a conducive environment and a proper bilateral framework before Tarique travelled to New Delhi.

He also stressed that official-level discussions would be necessary before a meeting between the two prime ministers. 

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