It was supposed to be a routine business call in Dhaka tomorrow by the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. But the visit has now acquired a political significance way beyond the delivery of a formal invitation to the Bangladesh government to join a summit of the South Asian leaders here in early April.

As the caretaker government, run by technocrats and backed by the Army, unveils a hugely popular agenda of reform, and the Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus turns Bangla politics inside out — he has just announced plans to form a new political party — Mukherjee has many delicate diplomatic tasks awaiting him in Dhaka.

For one, he will have to find a balance between India’s publicly expressed support to an early return of the democratic process in Dhaka and the importance of developing a working relationship with the caretaker government.

From all indications, the caretaker government led by President Iajuddin Ahmed has no intention to hold the general elections any time soon. Both President Iajuddin and the Army Chief Moyeen Ahmed have made it clear that the restoration of the political process must await sweeping reforms in the administration and the polity.

Mukherjee’s visit, in itself, will be interpreted as a wink and nod to the new government in Bangladesh, that India is prepared to hold its peace, at least for the moment.

Almost exactly two years ago, India had demanded and got a postponement of the 13th Summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation in Dhaka amidst what it considered unacceptable developments in the region. These included political violence in Bangladesh and a coup in Kathmandu by King Gyanendra.

... contd.