00:00Russia has issued a rare and pointed
00:27message to Bangladesh, urging Dhaka to ease tensions with India as unrest spreads across
00:34the country and elections draw closer.
00:37The call comes at a volatile moment, with mob violence, minority protests, political
00:42shootings and growing regional concern putting Bangladesh under intense pressure.
00:48Speaking from the Russian embassy in Dhaka on December 22nd, Ambassador Alexander Grigoryevich
00:55Hosen made Moscow's position clear, Bangladesh and India must deescalate the sooner the better.
01:03While stressing Russia does not interfere in bilateral affairs, he warned that rising tensions
01:08between neighbors could spiral beyond control if not addressed quickly.
01:14Bangladesh is facing one of its most unstable periods in years.
01:18Violent incidents have surged, minority communities are protesting in the streets, and political
01:24uncertainty hangs over the country ahead of the February 12th national elections.
01:29Russia welcomed the election schedule, and said it expects the vote to happen on time.
01:35Moscow also signaled it wants a front row seat, saying it is awaiting an official invitation
01:40to send Russian election observers, a clear sign the Kremlin is closely watching developments.
01:47The situation escalated sharply after the lynching of Deepu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker killed
01:53by a mob in Maimansingh.
01:56The incident triggered nationwide outrage, protests by minority groups in Dhaka, and expressions
02:02of concern from India.
02:04Demonstrators accused the interim government of failing to protect minorities, while law enforcement
02:09confirmed multiple arrests.
02:12Studies have also detained suspects linked to attacks on major newspapers and cultural institutions,
02:18as well as attempts to stir unrest near India's diplomatic mission in Chhattagram.
02:24Tensions deepened after the death of radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi, followed by the
02:29shooting of student leader Motaleb Shiktar, who remains in critical condition.
02:35These incidents have raised fears that political violence could derail the election process.
02:40The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, now a major political force after the fall of
02:46the Awami League, has called for a national uprising against mob rule, warning that the
02:52country is drifting away from democratic values.
02:56Against this backdrop, Russia's message stands out.
02:59By urging Dhaka to cool tensions with Delhi, Moscow appears to be signaling that Bangladesh's
03:05internal chaos is becoming a regional issue, not just a domestic one.
03:10With elections looming, violence spreading, and India watching closely, Russia's warning sounds
03:16less like diplomacy and more like an alarm bell.
03:20Bottom line, Moscow wants stability, peace with India, and orderly elections.
03:26Whether Bangladesh can deliver all three is now the big question.
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