As India heads towards the last phase of its month-long general elections, the results of the polls are being keenly anticipated not just by its citizens but also by many others in Southasia. Close links between the peoples – and politicians – of India and its regional neighbours means that the political landscape of the region’s largest country has considerable impact on its neighbourhood. Given worrying developments, such as the rise of majoritarian politics, not just in India but in several Southasian countries, the electoral outcome could affect the fate of their shared challenges as well.

Himal Southasian’s editor Aunohita Mojumdar spoke to celebrated photographer, journalist and activist Shahidul Alam about what the Indian elections mean to Southasia in general and Bangladesh in particular. Alam, who was incarcerated for over 100 hundred days by the Bangladesh government under the repressive Information and Communication Technology Act, and is now out on bail, reflects on the shifting perception of India in Bangladesh, new challenges to democracies in the region, and the need for Southasian solidarity.

Go to www.himalmag.com for more on politics and culture in Southasia.

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Intro and outro music derived from 'Ways of Rahjan' by Ask Again from Free Music Archive.