For long India’s preoccupation and desperation to mend fences
with Pakistan and China had been pivotal part of its foreign policy strategy. Consequently
its engagement with its immediate neighbours began to suffer. The incisive leadership
of Modi was very quick to realise the follies of the inept leadership of the
predecessors. To break the logjam and the entrenched feeling of mere geographic
entities among its neighbours Prime Minister Modi reversed the long standing
stance of BJP towards Land Boundary Agreement (LBA). Following the unanimous
approval of LBA in the parliament Modi made rapid strides towards Dhaka. With
the mercurial Mamatha Banerjee on board Modi played it safe and got her support
to cement relations with Bangladesh. Largely hailed as a historic visit by the
Bangladesh Media, Modi successfully heralded the Indo-Bangladesh relationship.
The peaceful exchange of enclaves
by both the countries, referred to as “fall of Berlin wall”, send out message
of strong political consensus, mutual trust and faith to the World. Further the
pledge of Zero-tolerance towards terrorism by the leaders of both nations
augured the bonhomie. But the euphoria surrounding the visit of Modi was
partially dampened with no discussions on Teesta waters. By extending strategic
cooperation in areas spanning from space technology, nuclear cooperation,
bilateral trade, regional transit and energy cooperation Modi largely made up
for the disappointment. In his two days visit 22 agreements were signed to link
both economies and to seal an irreversible bonding with the neighbour.
LBA
The memorable visit had a flying
start following the exchange of instruments of ratification of the 1974 Indira
Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman agreement. This mutual and harmonious
resolution of fifth longest border of the World is a message to Pakistan (which
attributes the dispute to the incomplete work of the partition) and China (refuses
to accept the Mac Mohan Line) which has border disputes with India. In a
significant move to reduce the existing trade deficit, Bangladesh decided to
set up a special economic zone in their country for Indian investments.
Credit Line
As a part of neighbourhood first policy, Modi extended a $2 billion soft loan to
Bangladesh towards various development projects like public transport, rail,
ICT (Information and Communication Technology), education and health. This is
expected to create around 50,000 jobs in India giving a great boost to ‘Make in
India’ drive. India never extended such huge amount of credit line to any other
country barring Afghanistan who received $2 billion from India towards
reconstruction works. Modi till now has extended $6 billion credit line under
Look East Policy to Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Connectivity
In a bid to improve connectivity
a pact was signed to allow India cargo ships to use Bangladesh’s Mongla and
Chittagong ports. This will greatly reduce the time of transit from 7-10 days
to 2 days as ships can now ferry cargo directly from Bangladesh ports instead
of routing it via Singapore. Allowing the use of ports by India vessels has
huge strategic implication. Chittagong port was specially developed by China as
it was part of its string of pearls. Earlier
Khaleda Zia had strong reservation for granting access to Bangladesh ports to
India on the pretext that it would infringe the sovereignty of Bangladesh.
Signing of the Coastal Shipping Agreement, the renewal of Trade Agreement and
the Protocol on Inland Transit and Trade and maritime cooperation in Bay of
Bengal and Indian Ocean marked a beginning of new era of trust. The bus
services Dhaka- Shillong- Guwahati and Kolkata- Dhaka- Agartala were flagged
off. (Reminding Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Dosti
bus service from Delhi to Lahore). By reaching agreements on connectivity
by road, rail, sea, river, transmission lines, petroleum pipelines and digital
links access of the North Eastern states to the main land will be enhanced.
Subsequently if the fruits of development start percolating into these states
militancy in these regions can take back seat. Soon both nations are going to
be part of the larger Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) that allows
motar vehicle transit between four nations. India will be setting up consulates
at Sylhet and Khulna in Bangladesh and Guwahati will have a new Bangladesh
consulate.
Energy Cooperation
As a part of Energy cooperation,
India has agreed to increase power export from the current 500 MW to 1000 MW. A
pact was signed for construction of a diesel pipeline between West Bengal and
Bangladesh. Reliance Power signed a deal with the Bangladesh Power Development
Board to produce 3000MW of electricity at a cost of $3 billion. Adani Power
Limited will set up two coal run plants with a total capacity of 1600 MW
costing around $1.5 billion.
Security Cooperation
India and Bangladesh signed a
slew of pacts to strengthen security cooperation. These include pacts on
combating human trafficking, smuggling and circulation of fake currency notes.
Bangladesh has been a major transit point for the smuggling of fake currency.
Both leaders have expressed their firm commitment and unparalleled resolve to
tackle extremism and terrorism. Sheikh Hasina in 2009 displayed extraordinary
leadership by handing over four militants wanted by India seeking refuge in
their territory. Last year West Bengal busted a gang plotting against the
Hasina government.
Modi ended his two day visit to
Bangladesh on a high note by winning the hearts of Bangladeshis. Addressing a
crowd of intellectuals, academicians, politicians and students at the
Bangabhandhu International Conference Centre at Dhaka University, Modi in his
path breaking speech convinced the audience to dispel their pathological
anti-Indian stance. Modi with his master oratory and eloquence mesmerised the
audience and stated that Bangladesh is not only a neighbour to India but a
partner in India’s development journey. While taking a dig at Pakistan for
incessantly intruding the borders and creating nuisance he warned about the
inimical effects of extremism. He also cautioned against the foreboding threat
of terrorism which has no religion or region but is hell bent on obliterating
the human race. While contesting the prevailing expansionism mode of some
nations, he warned that in modern times no nation can exist all by itself and
mutual cooperation is way to development. He lauded the prowess of Bangladeshi
cricketers who emerged as aspiring challengers in recent years and
congratulated them for the women’s empowerment and educating girl child. Extolling
the need for India gaining permanent membership in the UN Security Council he
narrated the sacrifices made by Indian Armed forces all over the World right
from World War I. With reference to India’s relentless pursuit to foster
friendship and peace he maintained that 90,000 prisoners of war were in
captivity in India during the Bangladesh Liberation war. But India never
wavered from its commitment and released all of them. His eloquent speech
peppered with humour, anecdotes, poetry, charm and thoughts made way for
India’s exalted position on inclusiveness on foreign soil.
Modi offered prayers at 12th
century Dhakeshwari National temple and Ramakrishna Math during the visit. He
also received the prestigious liberation war honour conferred to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
for his active role in Bangladeshi liberation movement and for consolidation of
friendship with India. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her stay for a
day upon Prime Minister’s request to attend the state banquet hosted by her in
honour of Modi. During his trip Modi essentially won the trust of the eastern
neighbour by rekindling new faith in the relationship. Now it is time for
deliverance.
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