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Opinion

Bangladesh-India ties: A broader perspective


Published : 25 Mar 2022 08:54 PM

(Last part)

The solemn preface of India – Bangladesh bond of Friendship and bilateral ties was laid down by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by signing the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 1972. This 25 years term treaty (lapsed in 1997) was based on strong pillar for sake of bilateral engagement. But two country’s relationship passed through many topsy – turvy situations after brutal and nefarious assassination of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujubur Rahman . The military captured state power and relation with India reached into bottom level. The very worthy daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – Sheikh Hasina came to power after two decades of her father’s assassination and at her first tenure as Prime Minister got 25 years term long awaited the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty signed in 1996 and the treaty due for renewal in 2026. India and Bangladesh government started improving connectivity which is imperative to strengthen relationship further, the first direct Dhaka – Kolkata bus service was inaugurated in July 1999. The care taker government (2007-08) also felt necessity of the connectivity and on Poila Boishak 2008 the first passenger train from Dhaka to Kolkata named “ Moitree Express” was inaugurated. 

India’s biggest concern was security and connectivity in the North – eastern states. The United Liberation Front of Assam ( ULFA ), National Democratic Front of Boroland ( NDFB ), National Liberation Front of Tripura ( NLFB ) and Kamtapur Liberation Organization ( KLO ) had several camps in side Bangladesh territory andthese terrorists’ outfits were lunching operation in North – eastern states of India caused lives of several thousands of innocent people including security forces. 

The Sheikh Hasina government stood on zero tolerance on terrorism and crushed camps of ULFA, NDFB, NLFB and KLO as well handed over of ULFA’s top brains including its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa. The terrorist outfit – ULFA bowed down their heads and postponed their terror activities of several decades. In order for curbing of trans – border terrorism on its soil, both India and Bangladesh should work closely. Sheikh Hasina’s regime shown good and serious intent in collaborating  India’s long standing security concerns in its North – eastern region. Through the good gesture of Hasina government, India ensured peace and security in its North – eastern region and boosted mutual confidence.

The inherited dispute of the Maritime Boundary demarcation was also long outstanding with Bangladesh. The Hasina government in October 2009 referred the issue to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and India participated into the PCA process for arbitration. PCA in 2014 announced its award and Bangladesh secured some India’s claimed area which India accepted the award and thus a lingering dispute resolved. The Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) which was inked in 1974 was pending implementation for various reasons.

In 2015 India and Bangladesh resolved this long outstanding issue by transferring 111 border enclaves ( 17,160.63 acres) to Bangladesh and in lieu Bangladesh transferred 51 enclaves ( 7,110.02 acres) to India.

The two major issues still remain unresolved and creating obstacle to further  expand bilateral relationship to its height, the huge trade balance and the sharing  of water of 54 rivers flows from India into Bangladesh. Another key issue – sign and implementation of Teesta Water Sharing Agreement. Teesta originated  in the eastern Himalayas , the river flows through the Indian state of Sikkim and West Bengal and fall in Bangladesh meet Bramaputra ( Jamuna). Over two crore of Bangladeshi people are largely depend for their cultivation of land and livelihood in 140 km stretch of the Teesta river. Bangladesh is a lower riparian country as such their demand to have the legitimate share of Teesta water is justified. In 2011 India agreed to share 37.5 percent of Teesta water to  Bangladesh and to retain 42.5 percent during the lean season between December and March. However, the agreement could not be signed due to the opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister – Mamata Banerjee. Bangladesh sought a fair and equitable distribution of Teesta water on the lines of the Ganga Water  Sharing Treaty. 

Bangladesh being a significant neighbourhood and well trusted ally to India, considering the strategic importance and a lower riparian state – Bangladesh, India needs to take proactive steps for early resolving of Teesta Water Sharing.  

Agreement sooner the better. 

India liberalized visa regime since 2018 and by now set up over 15 visa application Receiving centres across various districts in Bangladesh and issuing besides  Medical and business, tourists visas of one, two even five years validity multiple entry and each entry 90 days stay over. On the light of bilateral relationship and reciprocal act Bangladesh should also be responsive and to issue multiple entry visa of one or two years validity to Indian tourists which forms larger number of visitors to Bangladesh.

(Concluded)


Deepak Roy is a veteran journalist based in Kolkata