Bangladesh and India are close neighbours with a wide range of shared interests. It began at a particularly crucial moment, during Bangladesh’s liberation war in 1971. India’s unwavering support and cooperation at the time laid a stable foundation for bilateral ties. At least ten million Bengalis fled to India and stayed there as refugees during the liberation war. India was not only sheltering refugees at the time but also fighting alongside freedom fighters on the frontline. Bangabandhu at his speech at Calcutta Brigade Maidan on 6 February 1972 mentioned that too.
He said, ‘If Mrs Indira Gandhi, your great leader, the people of India, West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam had not offered space, shelter, food and comfort to my people, what could have happened to them? Not enough is the appreciation I express; I cannot pay more respect to you, Mrs Gandhi. We can never reimburse your kindness.’
Indira Gandhi, the Indian Prime Minister, made it clear during her first visit to Bangladesh in March 1972 that India’s sole objective was to assist Bangladesh. She went on to say that the friendship between Bangladesh and India is being formed based on equality as two separate and sovereign countries. India offered substantial financial assistance to Bangladesh’s then-government for the country’s post-war reconstruction.
This relationship changed dramatically over the next four decades. During the reign of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the relationship was cordial (1972-1975). Later, under General Ziaur Rahman (1985-1981), this relationship deteriorated into scepticism. Even during Ershad’s (1982-1990) and Begum Khaleda Zia's terms, there was distrust and suspicion (1991-1995 and 2001-2006).
After Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina came to power in 1996 and 2009, bilateral friendship reached new heights. The two countries signed several significant agreements during this period. In 1997, the long-awaited Ganga Water Agreement was signed. India's primary concern was defence. To monitor the rebel groups in the Northeast, India required Bangladesh's assistance.With Bangladesh’s assistance, this issue was completely controlled shortly after the Awami League came to power in 2009. The rebel strongholds were destroyed, and the rebel leaders fleeing to India were handed over.Another demand of India was transit through Bangladesh to India's northeastern states, which was critical for these states’ economic growth. Bangladesh has provided India with this facility through water, land, and sea. In addition, the volume of trade between the two countries is growing. Although the trade balance favours India, it is also true that it meets the Bangladeshi market's needs.Bangladesh also won in the international court on the maritime issue. As a result, India handed over 19.467thousand sq km area to Bangladesh.
In the shared interest of power import and generation, the two countries are cooperating extensively. During a recent visit to Bangladesh, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Sringla said that the two countries now have stronger ties than ever before. He described it as the “golden chapter”. This bilateral friendship could not have advanced to this point if Bangladesh's current Awami League government had not been in power. They recognise the significance of maintaining positive ties with India.
India is a friendly country of ours. Still, no matter how close the neighbours are, no matter how friendly, there will be some disputes and conflicts of interest between them. On these topics, talks and bargaining will continue between the two countries. It is anticipated that the official documents will highlight the partnership's positive aspects and express optimism for a solution. Ordinary people, on the other hand, have their own perspectives on all facets of the relationship.
Since they are neighbours, India and Bangladesh have several similarities. Past, tradition, language, culture, rivers, and other aspects of these two countries are identical. These matches, in the case of bilateral ties, provide power while also posing new challenges. Water distribution, border killings, trade issues, arms and drug smuggling, and other issues are among them. In the areas of defence, trade, energy, research, and other areas, India and Bangladesh have more than 50 institutional partnerships.These are the primary exchange platforms between the two countries.India has concentrated on Bangladesh's demand areas. Non-lethal weapons, for example, are being provided to the BSF to minimise border killings. Besides, to minimise the trade deficit, various Bangladeshi goods are given tax-free status in the Indian market.
Bangladesh and India should explore their relationship’s full potential. Both countries would benefit from this. Identifying areas where Bangladesh and India share common values and interests will help to strengthen the relationship. There is plenty of scope for understanding and collaboration between the two countries to improve the democratic process and system, combating poverty, and expanding economic opportunities for the average person. Bangladesh's shining example of empowering people by using social power can be a source of inspiration for India.
For building confidence and improving ties between Bangladesh and India, a roadmap can be considered. Short-term, medium-term, and long-term initiatives over a period can be helpful in this task.As short-term strategies, it is crucial to find effective solutions to border issues by improving border management, simplify the visa system to increase contact between the two countries' peoples, and make existing communication networks more customer friendly. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers should be removed to boost commerce, culture, education, and technology exchange.In the medium term, Bangladesh and India can work together with other regional countries. Initiatives for mutual benefits, such as water sharing and the use of common rivers, energy security, regional cooperation, and, in particular, land and water transit and transhipment, can be taken.Demarcation of maritime borders, bilateral investment and economic cooperation, counter-terrorism, and disaster prevention due to climate change may be considered appropriate cooperation in the long run. Bangladesh-India ties, I believe, will lay the foundation for a new South Asia relationship if they are based on an innovative and forward-thinking policy framework. This is our expectation on the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
Dr Abul Hasnat Milton is a poet, columnist, and a public health expert in Australia
