India and Bangladesh – Friendly countries in South Asia
This article talks about relations between India and Bangladesh , two neighbouring countries in Asia. It discusses areas of cooperation and issues between India and Bangladesh.
Background
India and Bangladesh Relations
Areas of Cooperation
Efforts to Improve India Bangladesh Relations
Pending Issues between India and Bangladesh
Conclusion
Background
Bangladesh is an Asian country located in eastern armpit of India. Its origin traces back in the year 1971. It was previously part of Pakistan. On account of its location, it was well known as Eastern Pakistan. With the armed support of India, Eastern Pakistan liberated itself from Pakistan in 1971. A new country appeared on world map and became recognized as Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh Relations
Since liberation of Bangladesh, India is a friendly country to Bangladesh. Due to political up down, relations between two countries could not progress to the level up to which it should be. In 2009, change of government in Bangladesh brought a turning point. India Bangladesh relations started improving under government of Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina.
Areas of Cooperation
India and Bangladesh are coming together to improve their relations and cooperating with each other in various areas. Both countries should further seek the upcoming opportunities to cooperate with each other in various areas:
Regional Diplomacy
Bangladesh is a part of India’s “Act East Policy”, Prime Minister’s “Neighbourhood First Policy”. Regional group like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a platform for cooperation for both the countries. A connectivity project, BBIN (Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal) corridor is a way to link the concerned countries. Using tools of regional diplomacy, both countries can exert their influence in South Asia.
Border Management
India shares its longest border with Bangladesh. The length of this border is more than 4000 Km. and it is highly porous border due to which both countries are prone to illegal immigration, smuggling etc. Transnational organized crime flourishes well in the region. Bangladesh helped India in crackdown of terrorism and insurgent groups breeding in North East of India like ULFA, NSCN etc.
Connectivity Projects
India and Bangladesh are taking steps together to improve their connectivity so as to ameliorate the trade and business between them. Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Agartala Akhura Railway link are such projects. They will not only enhance connectivity between India and Bangladesh but will be an alternative and cost effective route to North East of India. Bypassing narrow check point of Siliguri corridor will prove better connectivity of mainland India with North East of India leading to development of the region.
Energy
India is trying to address energy deficiency of Bangladesh. Already, an agreement has been signed to make first nuclear power plant at Roppur in Bangladesh.
Security and Intelligence Sharing
ISIS, ARSA and other radical groups pose threat to regional security. Cooperation in sharing intelligence and joint efforts for security are essential for cleaning radicalism. Both countries hold good rankings in Global firepower index, 2019. India is 4th and Bangladesh holds 45th position. Combined strength of two nations will not spare radical groups.
Trade Relations
Bangladesh is the largest trading partner of India in whole South Asia. SAFTA is a free trade agreement which provides tariff benefits to member countries. India should take a step further and should make special provisions for Bangladesh to allow duty free goods from Bangladesh to India.
Special Economic Zone
India is looking forward to promote economic relations with Bangladesh by developing SEZ in Bangladesh.
Efforts to Improve India Bangladesh Relations
- The historic achievement which strengthened relations between two countries is the successful execution of “Land Boundary Agreement”. The agreement envisages exchange of enclaves between two countries. Enclaves are those territories which are surrounded by the land of other countries. Thus, Indian land territories were surrounded by Bangladeshi land and vice versa. Such enclaves were present in Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and West Bengal. The agreement to exchange enclaves was signed between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman in the year 1974 but India ratified it in the recent past only in 2015.
- India liberalized Visa regime and norms for Bangladeshis.
- In 2011, Government of India signed a free trade agreement with Bangladesh to promote its exports.
- India also gives line of credit and grants to Bangladesh.
Pending Issues between India and Bangladesh
Though both countries, India and Bangladesh have good relations and have taken steps forward to fulfill their commitments yet there are small issues which need to be resolved as soon as possible. NRC of Assam, sharing of water of Teesta river are such pending issues.
Conclusion
India has always followed soft policies with its neighbours. Same needs to be continued with neighbours like Bangladesh which has proved its friendliness even at the international platform. India should try to repay by free trade, investments, line of credit, concessional loans, infrastructure building and by addressing energy needs.
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