Diplomatic protest marks Bangladesh’s assertion of sovereign rights 

For the first time, we have seen Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issue a strong diplomatic protest over the events of 5 August. The timing was appropriate because Bangladesh made it clear that a former regime, which disrupted our entire social structure before fleeing the country, cannot use foreign soil to interfere in Bangladesh's affairs.

The response was timely and reflected the expectations of the Bangladeshi people. We are pleased to see that, after a long time, Bangladesh has begun exercising its sovereign rights. We welcome this development.

There had been expectations that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India would improve. However, it appears India has clearly chosen a side. Bilateral relations cannot move forward unilaterally; they must be based on reciprocity.

If there is reciprocity and goodwill, anything is possible. But if that fundamental principle is not respected, bilateral relations cannot progress. It is not Bangladesh's sole responsibility to reciprocate.

As a sovereign nation, Bangladesh has every right to exercise its independence and to protest whenever it believes its interests are being undermined. If the government is genuinely acting in Bangladesh's national interest, then I believe this is the correct policy. We must exercise our sovereign rights whenever we feel threatened by actions originating from foreign territory.

Major General (retired) Fazle Elahi Akbar is the chairman of Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies (FSDS).