Bangladesh has spun one more yarn by downgrading India's status from a 'strategic partner' to 'purchaser' in the proposed Indo-Bangladesh- Myanmar gas pipeline project. Not only does this reflect a myopic vision for Bangladesh, but it shows the shrewd influence and stake Myanmar (read 'China') has on this project. India's perennial energy demand could have been merged with Bangladesh and Myanmar's forex needs. But now, the anti-Indian posturing of Bangladesh has scuttled that. Bangladesh, with a pathetic $69 billion GDP, and 45% population languishing below the poverty line, clearly is suffering at the hands of politics being played with external influences. Very recently, India also collected proof of how wanted terrorists were being openly harboured in Bangladesh. As general elections near in jingoistic Bangladesh, one only sees worse times up ahead...