MLC Daily Current Affairs – 17 February 2025

Today in History (February 17^th,1792)

Budhu Bhagat (17 February 1792 – 13 February 1832) is known as a famous revolutionary in Indian history. Their fight was against the tyranny and injustice being done by the British, landlords, and moneylenders. He was born on 17 February 1792 in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Summary of Today’s News

Interpreting the recent Bangladesh-Pakistan thaw

Historical Context
• Legacy of 1971 Liberation War: The bitter history of Bangladesh’s separation from Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War has long influenced relations between Dhaka and Islamabad.
• Past Tensions: Ties were strained during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule, partly due to family grievances against Pakistan and her close alignment with India.
• Diplomatic Strain: Relations peaked in tension in 2016, with both countries expelling diplomats.
Recent Developments
• Leadership Change: After the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Bangladesh’s foreign policy direction seems to be shifting.
• Muhammad Yunus: Yunus, the Chief Adviser to the interim Bangladesh government, has engaged in several diplomatic meetings with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
• Absence of Engagement with India: No similar diplomatic engagement has been seen between Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, indicating a shift in foreign policy.
Strengthening Bangladesh-Pakistan Ties
• High-Level Engagements:
• Bangladesh hosted a Pakistani military delegation in Rangpur, close to the Siliguri Corridor.
• Bangladesh Army’s second-in-command visited Rawalpindi for meetings with Pakistan’s military chiefs.
• Resumption of Direct Flights: Dhaka announced the resumption of direct flights to Islamabad.
• Naval Cooperation: Bangladesh participated in Pakistan’s Aman 2025 naval exercises, deploying a major warship to Pakistan for the first time in over a decade.
Challenges Ahead
• Public Sentiment: Many Bangladeshis still view the 1971 separation as central to their national identity, which poses challenges for further reconciliation.
• Pakistan’s Narrative: Islamabad continues to frame the 1971 war as an Indian conspiracy, not recognizing it as a Bengali separatist movement.
• Strategic and Economic Challenges: Bangladesh and Pakistan have limited alignment in economic terms, and geographical separation (with India in between) could hinder trade and connectivity.
Implications for India
• Strategic Rivalry: India sees Pakistan’s engagement with Bangladesh as an effort to counter New Delhi’s influence in Dhaka after Hasina’s fall.
• India-Taliban Dynamics: India’s growing ties with the Taliban in Afghanistan (a traditional ally of Pakistan) adds complexity to regional dynamics.
India’s Strategic Approach
• Geographical and Economic Realities: India should understand that while Bangladesh’s relations with Pakistan evolve, Dhaka is unlikely to adopt a strong anti-India stance due to geographic proximity and economic reliance on India.
• Economic Ties: India is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, with Indian exports to Bangladesh reaching $11.25 billion in 2023.
• Concerns for India:
• Axis Involving Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan: India must be cautious about the possibility of a strategic alignment between these countries.
• Security in Northeast States: The issue of security in India’s northeast regions needs attention in the context of growing Bangladesh-Pakistan ties.
• Vigilance and Engagement:
• Clarify Red Lines: India should be firm on critical issues such as terrorism, weapons trade, joint military drills, and maritime security.
• People-to-People Engagement: Constructive engagement through cultural exchanges, border trade, and addressing refugee concerns is essential.
• Countering Anti-India Sentiment: India must continue to address prevailing anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments in Bangladesh, while leveraging economic ties to strengthen relations.
• Long-Term Stability: Maintaining a positive constituency in Bangladesh that supports India is key to ensuring long-term strategic stability.

Conclusion
• India faces an increasingly complex neighborhood, with growing ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan. However, India must remain vigilant while fostering a constructive relationship with Bangladesh, balancing security concerns with continued economic and cultural engagement.

Grok 3 chatbot from Musk-led start-up xAI to be unveiled

• Elon Musk said his startup xAI will release its Grok 3 chatbot on Monday.
• According to him it is the “smartest AI on Earth” in a fiercely competitive market.
• Grok 3 was trained on synthetic data and is capable of reflecting on errors it makes by going over data in order to reach logical consistency.