Mumbai, Jan 4 (NationPress) Senior Congress figure and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan, has openly criticized India's foreign policy following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s directive for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to exclude Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman amid nationwide backlash.

Chavan emphasized the need for India to foster friendly relations with Bangladesh, cautioning that using sports organizations like the BCCI for political aims could worsen diplomatic ties with neighboring countries.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Chavan remarked that the BCCI's action signifies India's intent to confront Bangladesh, questioning the logic of creating unnecessary enmity with its neighbors.

"I fail to comprehend why we are intent on antagonizing our neighboring countries," he stated.

This commentary arises in light of escalating worries regarding the plight of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, especially after the recent murder of four Hindu individuals.

India has expressed strong objections to the violence and has consistently urged Dhaka to safeguard minority communities within its borders.

Simultaneously, recent diplomatic gestures from Bangladesh have raised concerns in India, with Dhaka appearing to strengthen ties with China and making provocative statements about India, including a reference to the 'chicken's neck' corridor in the northeastern region.

Chavan noted that India's approach to its neighbors has deteriorated in recent years.

"Our relations with neighboring nations have worsened due to our foreign policies. The Bangladeshi player slated to participate in the IPL was asked to withdraw by the BCCI. If this trend continues, our sports relations with Bangladesh might mirror those with Pakistan," he told IANS.

Stressing India's significant regional influence, he remarked, "India is a vast nation; our neighbors are smaller. We have nothing to fear, and we should cultivate positive relationships with all of them."

Chavan further characterized the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the KKR roster as a form of economic sanction, urging that politics should not infiltrate sporting institutions.

"This is akin to an economic sanction. In the IPL, if a player is sanctioned or selected, he earns approximately Rs 8-10 crore, which ultimately benefits his home country. In this context, it appears India is leveraging the BCCI for political gains," he explained.

Chavan cautioned that such measures could have lasting diplomatic repercussions.

"If a player valued at Rs 8-9 crore is omitted, it clearly signals that we are taking a stand against Bangladesh, which will further harm our relations. The trajectory of our relationship with Bangladesh seems destined to resemble that with Pakistan. I am perplexed by the nature of our current foreign policy," he added.