Bolstering “Neighborhood First” doctrine, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in a marked departure, giving security amiss, reached airport to
receive Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, on her first visit to
India in seven years on April 7th. The Prime Minister who visited
India on an invitation extended by Modi, stayed as guest of President of India
at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. Indo-Bangladesh relations touched a new high with India
under the leadership of Modi successfully concluding the 43-year-old pending
Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) on his visit to Dhaka in June 2015. Ever since,
leaders of both nations have invested energies in stabilizing a unique relationship.
Sheikh Hasina on her four day visit to India, reminisced the
supreme help and support rendered by India in Bangladesh Liberation war. While
both countries share cultural, lingusitic and boundary connect, bilateral
relations in contemporary period received a new lease for life after Sheikh
Hasina sworn in as Prime Minister in 2009. For long, India’s diffidence in
resolving the boundary agreement had been a major obstacle in the
Indo-Bangladesh relations. By ratifying the LBA in Parliament and signing the
International Tribunal award, India successfully resolved the long overdue
maritime and land boundary disputes with Bangladesh. Reciprocating India’s
commitment, Bangladesh pledged cooperation in counter-terrorism and free trade.
As of now, the Teesta water sharing has become touch stone of the bilateral
relations. With Bangladesh, all geared all up elections next year, Teesta
agreement could have buttressed Hasina’s election prospects. Anticipating
domestic backlash, Hasina made sincere attempts to woo West Bengal Chief
Minister Mamata Banerjee. Modi, despite the saber-rattling with Banerjee,
persuaded her to join attend important events since West Bengal is an important
stake holder. But Banerjee vehemently opposed the agreement as Teesta waters
are lifeline of West Bengal. India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers. Banerjee
offered to negotiate water sharing agreements for Torsa, Santosh and Raidak but
Bangladesh is keen on Teesta waters. Moreover, with Panchayat elections around
the corner, Banerjee was reluctant to make any commitments on Teesta waters.
Making her conversations with Banerjee public Hasina remarked “Paani manga,
bijili mila”. As of now, Teesta water
sharing might remain bone of contention between both countries but Modi
promised early conclusion.
Despite significant ramping up of bilateral ties, political
obstacles plague relations. Notwithstanding,
the enormity of cooperation in various sectors between both countries, Opposition
leader Khaleda Zia, accused Hasina of “selling out” the country to India. Indian
counterparts on the other hand, encumbered by burgeoning illegal Bangladeshi
immigrants, failed to assess the strategic potential of Bangladesh. New Delhi
over the years failed to evolve a substantial engagement policy. Bangladesh is
now eight largest economy and currently one of the fastest growing countries in
the region. Intuitively, for the strategic relationship to new heights, India
must feign being a big brother and should engage with Bangladesh as an equal
partner. India must recalibrate its strategy towards Bangladesh. New Delhi must
intensify trade and investment partnership for mutually beneficial sustained
economic development.
South Asian region has become den of terrorism. India and
Bangladesh, both victims of terrorism share one of the longest porous borders
in the World. They face the daunting challenge of curbing the
ever-proliferating network of Islamic radicalization. Effective border
surveillance and intelligence sharing between the countries can curtail the rot
of terrorism. Moreover, both face constant ire of Pakistan. Obdurate Pakistan,
badgered the dimension of South Asian Cooperation. To revitalize the regional
cooperation and reframe new cooperation narratives, Bangladesh can be a vital
partner to India. Bangladesh can also be an important fulcrum to India’s Act
East Policy. Manmohan Singh’s government laid a good foundation for reframing
Indo-Bangladesh ties but political diffidence failed to transform the
engagement.
While critics in Bangladesh may categorically remark Hasina’s
visit to India, far from being successful without Teesta Waters agreement, both
countries expanded the realm of cooperation by signing 22 agreements. India and
Bangladesh agreed to deepen defence cooperation through military training and
exchanges. During bilateral dialogue both sides discussed about growing threat
of terrorism and radicalization by extremist elements. In the joint statement,
they reiterated commitment to counter the spread of terrorism and violent
extremism. Modi indeed, made a veiled dig at Pakistan saying that it prefers
“backstabbing over trust” and that its “mindset” is road block for peace of the
region. In this connection, both sides called for effective implementation of the
Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) and operationalization of bilateral
extradition treaty. India pledged third Line of Credit of $4.5 billion to
Bangladesh for construction of ports, railways, roads, airports, power and
energy, telecommunications, and shipping. Modi has announced additional $500
million for defence procurement. In the past six years India has offered $8 billion
concessional credit line. Leaders welcomed the Trilateral Memorandum of
Understanding between Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India for cooperation in
Hydroelectric Power. Both sides signed Inter-governmental agreement for
cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy. MoUs to enhance cooperation in
field of earth sciences, defence, space research, energy efficiency,
re-gasification, construction of Indo-Bangla Friendship pipeline, freight
operations were signed. Leaders witnessed the signing of trade related
agreements leading to over $9 billion Indian investments in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh allotted 1005 acres to India at Mirsarai for setting up a SEZ.
A railway link between Radhikapur (India) and Birol
(Bangladesh) was jointly inaugurated. Both leaders witnessed the trail run of
passenger train between Khulna and Kolkata, launched new bus service between
Kolkata-Khulna-Dhaka and welcomed upgradation of facilities in the existing
Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express and opening of Phulbhari-Banglabanda check point.
Extolling the friendship and timely help of India after the
bilateral talks, Hasina with Prime Minister Modi, jointly released the Hindi
translation of Bangabhandu’s book, “Unfinished Memoirs” at Hyderabad House.
India and Bangladesh agreed to jointly produce a film on life and work of
Bangabhadhu in 2020, marking his centenary birth celebrations. Further, both
countries will also jointly release a documentary of Bangladesh’s war of
Liberation commemorating 50 years of Bangladesh formation in 2021. Both leaders
even participated in an event honoring the sacrifices of Indian soldiers for an
independent Bangladesh. At the “shommanona ceremony”, India and Bangladesh
renewed the alliance forged during the liberation. Speaking at the event,
Hasina reiterated Bangladesh owes its genesis to the supreme sacrifices of
Indian Martyrs and Bangladesh Freedom fighters. She personally presented a
citation and crest to the kin of the 7 martyred Indian officers. Modi announced
doubling of, “Mukti Yoddha” scholarship from Rs 10,000 in next five years,
multiple-entry visas for mukti yoddhas and medical assistance to 100 fighters
of Bangladesh Liberation war. Epitomizing the significance of Indo-Bangladesh
flourishing bilateral ties, India has renamed the Park Street in the capital
after “Bangabhandhu” Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. Hasina has addressed a Business
Summit jointly organized by India and Bangladesh business conclave.
Prime Minister Modi walked an extra mile to reach out to
Bangladesh for Sheikh Hasina’s valiant efforts in curbing the cross-border
terrorism, alerting India about infiltration of subversive elements at a time
when Mamata Banerjee’s minority pandering is wreaking havoc in Bengal. In fact,
experts advised India to take counter-terrorism lessons from Bangladesh. Sheikh
Hasina’s zero tolerance approach towards terrorism is making a significant difference
in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is making rapid strides in economic development.
Hasina is strongly supporting the OBOR (One Belt One Road) of China to catapult
its growing economy. India is now wary of growing Chinese investments and
presence in its sphere of influence. Further, Bangladesh’s long coast and
unimpeded access to Indian Ocean made it a favorite investment destination for
China, eyeing to spread foot hold in the Bay of Bengal region. Incidentally
insinuating Chinese penetration into South Asian neighborhood, perceived as its
backyard by New Delhi, came as a rude shock.
China’s recent overtures to Dhaka in the form of $24billion investments
and Bangladesh’s purchase of two Chinese submarines has jolted India. For long, India engaged with South Asian
neighbors by vigorously invoking the “cultural and civilizational” links and
refrained from aggressively deepening cooperation in various fields. China’s
overwhelming sway has rapidly changed the dynamics of the region and India can
no longer afford to sit back. A formidable sub-regional cooperation with South
Asian countries can be the way forward. Deepening Indo-Bangladesh ties can lay
strong foundation for such regional cooperation.
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