🎯Approach
➡️ Introduction: Examine India-Bangladesh policies and agreements for enhancing bilateral relations.
➡️ Body: Analyze key agreements, propose enhancements, and explore strategic benefits.
➡️ Conclusion: Summarize strategies for leveraging agreements to strengthen India-Bangladesh ties.
India and Bangladesh share a multifaceted relationship marked by historical ties, cultural links, and strategic cooperation. Since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, both nations have developed a series of policies and agreements to foster bilateral relations.
Areas of Cooperation
✅ Connectivity: India’s ‘Neighbourhood Policy’ has prioritized Bangladesh, which plays a crucial role in India’s ‘Act East Policy.’ For example, the Padma Multipurpose Bridge and the Akhaura-Agartala rail link are set to improve connectivity between the two countries.
✅ Trade: Bangladesh stands as India’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with an annual trade volume of approximately $9 billion.
✅ Credit: Indian investments in Bangladesh have reached $3 billion. To balance the economic disparity, India has provided Bangladesh with substantial lines of credit (LOCs) and grants.
Areas of Coordination
✅ Cyberspace: Bangladesh has established a cyber connection from the international gateway at Cox’s Bazar to Agartala, enhancing Internet connectivity in India’s northeastern states.
✅ Energy: India has partnered with Bangladesh in its nuclear power program, particularly with the construction of the Rooppur nuclear power plant. Additionally, India is set to export approximately 1,100 MW of electricity to help address Bangladesh’s energy shortage.
✅ Countering Insurgency in the Northeast: Bangladesh has successfully neutralized ULFA groups and collaborated with India to manage cross-border terrorism in the region.
Areas Needing Further Cooperation and Coordination
✅ Trade: The porous borders between India and Bangladesh are frequently used for smuggling goods such as food items, livestock, drugs, and medicines.
✅ Teesta River Water Dispute: India and Bangladesh share 54 trans-boundary rivers, with the Teesta River being a particular point of contention due to India’s plans to build and manage the Farakka Barrage.
✅ Illegal Migration: Since 1971, millions of Bangladeshi migrants have entered neighboring states in India illegally.
✅ Anti-India Sentiment: There is rising anti-India sentiment, especially among certain Islamic groups. For example, violent protests were organized by Hefazat-e-Islam, a radical Islamist group, during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Bangladesh.
Way Forward
✅ Unleashing Hidden Potential: By focusing on cooperation, coordination, and consolidation, both India and Bangladesh should strive to strengthen their economic ties and overall relations.
✅ Addressing the Rohingya Issue: The Rohingya crisis has placed significant economic and security burdens on Bangladesh. This issue should be resolved through bilateral efforts to alleviate the strain on both countries.
✅ National Register of Citizens (NRC): India has implemented the NRC in Assam to identify legitimate Indian citizens and address the issue of illegal migration, aiming to prevent future influxes of unauthorized migrants.
India should capitalize on its cultural and economic influence in Bangladesh while also addressing Bangladesh’s concerns related to migration and water disputes. This approach aligns with the Gujral Doctrine regarding relations with neighbors and the Neighbourhood First policy.
