EP-201 | Who's Behind the Bangladesh Quota Protest & Trump Vs Harris Battle with Amb. Harsh Shringla

Harsh Vardhan Shringla was the Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 and the former Foreign Secretary of India. He has also been India’s Ambassador to the United States, and High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Thailand.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Amb. Shringla talks about the recent quota protests in Bangladesh. He looks into whether these protests are just the start of bigger problems for the Sheikh Hasina government and discusses if foreign influences played a role. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called the protests "almost a terrorist attack" aimed at overthrowing the government.

Ambassador Shringla also shares his views on the U.S. Presidential race. He talks about the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life, Joe Biden’s decision to step down, and why Biden supporting Kamala Harris as his successor is important.

He also covers the political issues in Nepal, focusing on the frequent leadership changes and how they affect India, especially because Nepal shares borders with five Indian states.

#anipodcastwithsmitaprakash #bangladeshprotest #uselection #podcast

Timestamps:

00:00 - Coming Up
01:33 - Introduction
02:18 - Trump vs. Harris
06:44 - U.S. Campaign Funding
10:54 - Indian Community in the U.S.
15:00 - Biden's Legacy
17:06 - U.S. Afghan Withdrawal
20:51 - Biden's Foreign Policy
26:20 - Bangladesh Quota Protests
33:07 - Who's Behind Bangladesh Protests?
35:35 - 1971 B'desh War Against Pakistan
37:46 - Economic Crisis in Bangladesh
40:30 - Sheikh Hasina's China Visit
42:27 - Sheikh Hasina's India Visit
46:20 - Bangladesh-Bengal Connection
52:15 - End of Sheikh Hasina's Rule?
53:40 - Nepal Power Struggle
01:01:05 - India's Stance on KP Oli
01:07:02 - KP Oli's 4th Term
01:08:59 - Modi's Russia Visit

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[dr.padmapanikkar]

Why is Smita calling Kamala Harris " KAMAALA ", ?Smita is a south Indian herself.Of course Kamala Harris identifies herself more as an African American.

[modernhujur]

100% Correct information on Bangladesh, my intel & analysis says the same thing, lots of false propaganda on the internet by the opposition party loyalist

[faizulhaq]

I still think India is a great friend of Bangladesh, the people who are against Bangladesh r bnp jammat people which still believe n friends of Pakistan, very unfortunate, Awami league was out of power for 21 years, n in this gap the bnp jammat made influence by Pakistani n made this country Islamic fantastic instead of Secrulism

[nitinghaisas]

Very informative discussion. Smita ji it should be कमला if you are Indian and not कमाला which is excusable for non Indian Americans. A request to you to check all pronunciations for the Indian names at least in देवनागरी!

[faizulhaq]

So well said about Bangladesh, I salute His Excellency for giving the true story, we are ever Grateful to India n Indian Army sacrifices during our liberation war, most of the people believes in the sprit of our Great liberation war under the leadership of Bangobhundu Sheikh Mujubur Rahman

[asifnewaz]

I was amazed listening to this regarding Bangladesh. How a educated and responsible person change and manipulates narrative also lies. He is completely biased and telling lies. Absolute disgrace.
Absolute disgrace.

[SabbirAhmed-toyl]

Thank you Sir for your brilliant analysis of the current situation in Bangladesh, couldn't agree with you more, watching from USA & thank you ANI News for the coverage

[hasanshawon]

The thing he said about bangladesh is totally wrong
He is friend of sheikh hasina

[bambu]

Brilliant discussion. Great to see such balanced MEA people who have headed important depts....well done Shringla

[takepay]

Behind this protest there is uncle sam
And jamate islami
Security of whole région is under threat

[muralidharchalapathy]

What a coincidence. As I was watching the Bangladesh part in this podcast, Sheikh Hasina resigned and flew out of Bangladesh

[rjrastapopoulos]

Judging by the comments section it is evident that nowadays people value strong words and theatrics more than calm and collected opinion. Mr. Shringla was a career diplomat. He was trained to speak in a diplomatic manner. Also, it is true that there are opportunists who are trying to co-opt the situation and use it to their advantage; and it is true for any mass protest in any country.

[sabybasu]

Ambassador Shringla has been extremely balanced. This is an example of how an interviewee should respond with civility, very unlike the piss-match that is witnessed every night at Republic TV. Unlike unplaced expectations, Kamala Harris or Usha Vance are Americans first and will look after America’s interests always.

[aarlistha]

Well balanced statement regarding Nepal and India ties. It is true that Nepal and India ties should be on people's to people's basis

[tamberlame]

Bangladeshis in the comments calling him a liar but not one comment telling us exactly what he is lying about and what the "truth" is.

[shahudahmed]

Thank you for the discussion about Bangladesh. But I think Mr. Shringla highlighted only the positive aspects of Ms Hasina rule. Without listening the negative parts you can not understand why students movement of 2024 became a popular uprising and Ms Hasina had to fled the country inspite of having absolute majority & control over the parliament, Government and largest & oldest political party of Bangladesh.
You have to keep in mind the following issues to get an clear understanding about Bangladesh affairs;
1) Ms Hasina consecutively won last 4 general elections to form the Govt. Of these 4 elections all are boycotted by the opposition parties on demand of holding election under a Care-Taker-govt. In the election of 2014, 63% candidates are elected `uncontested'. The election of 2018, famously known as `rater vote', where ballot boxes are filled with voting papers at night before the voting day. And in 2023 election her party arranges `dummy' candidates to avoid repetition of 2014 scenario. None of the elections were fare and in the process during her 15 years reign the whole electoral system is destroyed.
2) Most widely talked about issue in Bangladesh is `corruption'. Our ex-Police chief, a blue eyed boy of Ms Hasina, has reportedly accumulated wealth valuing Tk.5, 000 crore. One of her messenger accumulated assets of Tk.400crore. A student leader of Chatra League (Student wing of Awami League) of her district laundered Tk.2, 500 crore. Our mega projects costs minimum 2 times more than the normal costs. Our only Nuclear Power plant is being built at a cost of $13b when same contractor is building same plant in India at a cost $3b. Our Metro incurred highest cost per Km in the world. All the kick-backs are shared by the contractors _ all of whom are linked with the ruling party.
3) Freedom of speech is severely restricted by police activities & questionable Judiciary.
4) High unemployment & inflation.
5) Wide spread corruption in recruitment & other Govt offices.
6) Autocratic & totalitarian approach in running the country.
7) High handed attitude/behaviors of Chatra League (Student wing of Awami League) who became mafia of all Public Universities.

ALL THESE ISSUES CONTRIBUTED & HAS MADE BANGLADESH AN AUTOCRATIC COUNTRY WHRE ONLY WORD OF Ms HASINA MATTERS & FUMED THE MINDSET OF GENERAL POPULATION TO REVOLT AGAINST Ms HASINA AND JOIN HANDS WITH THE STUDENTS.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT, BNP DOESN'T HAVE ANY STRONG FOLLOWER OF ITS WONE, IT SURVIVES ON A LARGE NUMBER OF `ANTI-AWAMI LEAGUE' VOTES.
BANGLADESHI PEOPLES ARE NOT `FUNDAMENTALIST'. IN ANY FARE ELECTION AND IF PARTIES PARTICIPATES `INDEPENDANTLY' (without any coalition), JAMAT-E-ISLAMI WILL GET MAXIMUM 5 SEATS OUT OF 300. THIS PARTY SERVIVED TILL NOW BECAUSE OF AWAMI LEAGUE & BNP - BOTH OF THESE 2 PARTY USED JAMAT OF THEIR SELF INTEREST.

[bhikariman-sigmamale]

I am bengali and Bangladeshi profile pop up in my feed. In many posts many of them were proudly proclaiming themselves as razakar

[mrsplusbd]

Mr. Shringla is Pro-Sheikh Hasina not Pro-Bangladeshi People

[md.golammurtuza]

Does India think that they will be able to move freely by road, rail and sea in this country while creating bloodbath by a dictator ???
The Indians staying in this country have already been instructed to stay at home. Couldn't they have maintained good relations with the people and realize their interests on the basis of equality?

[shantanumitra]

I winced every time I heard Smita say "Kamaala"! Made it really difficult to listen.