India-

Bangladesh
By: Arun Dubey
     Abhishek Rana
 India played a key role in the establishment of
Bangladesh in 1971 by providing moral, material,
Creation of military, and diplomatic assistance to the Mukti
Bahini and the Awami League leadership, particularly
Bangladesh as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

a Nation India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as a

sovereign nation.

The 1972 India-Bangladesh Treaty of Peace and

Friendship provided the groundwork for the two
countries’ strong relations.
Brief History and Recent Developments

• Following the liberation struggle until August 1975 when Sheikh Mujibur

Rahman was at the helm of affairs, India–Bangladesh relations were cordial.
• From his assassination right until the advent of Sheikh Hasina’s to power in
1996, India–Bangladesh ties were strained. 
• During this period, Bangladesh sought to internationalize the Farakka 
issue, border clashes occurred between the BSF and the Bangladesh
Rangers, accorded sanctuary and support to secessionist elements from the
north-east.
• Since the end of the Cold War, Indo–Bangladesh relations are primarily
driven by the policy orientations of the two parties—the BNP and the
Awami League. The BNP has a propensity to incline its polices to
favour Pakistan and China while the Awami League favors a
partnership with India.
• The two countries have had a troubled relationship since the
assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman in 1975. However, there are
hopeful signs of a turnaround in bilateral relations initiated by Sheikh
Hasina’s visit to India in 2010 and PM Manmohan Singh’s return visit
to Dhaka in 2011.
• The relationship has entered a state of ‘golden age’ in the past few
years.
Importance of Bangladesh to India
• Indo-Pacific: Bangladesh has become an important piece of the puzzle for India’s
Indo-pacific Strategy. The Bay of Bengal is a key component of the Indo-Pacific.
• Geo-political significance: Bangladesh shares the largest land border with India at
almost 4096 km.
• North east connectivity: North-East India’s socio-economic development and
integration will be aided by a transit arrangement with Bangladesh.
• Act east policy: potential to serve as a “bridge” for commercial and political ties
with Southeast Asia and beyond.
• Terrorism: Bangladesh’s stable, open, and tolerant government assists India in
preventing extremists from growing in the country, intelligence sharing, and other
counter-terrorism measures.
• Balancing China: A neutral Bangladesh would assist in restricting an assertive
China in the region, as well as counteract its string of pearls policy
Pillars of Cooperation

# Economic relations and investments

Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in the South Asian
region, 6th largest trade partner of India.
• The bilateral trade between two countries has jumped to USD 18.2
billion in 2021-22 as compared to USD 10.8 billion in 2020-21.
• India has extended three Lines of Credits since 2010 to
Bangladesh, amounting to US$8 billion.
• 6 Border Haats (4 in Meghalaya and 2 in Tripura), have been
approved by the Indian and Bangladesh governments.
• India has provided duty free quota free access to Bangladesh on
all tariff lines except tobacco and alcohol under
 South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) since 2011.
# Connectivity projects and transport links
• some of the important projects and links:
*Akhaura-Agartala railway link project
*Dhaka-Kolkata-Agartala bus and train service (Maitree express)
*Kulaura-Shahbazpur railway link project
*Akhaura-Ashuganj road development project
*Mitali Express

• These connectivity projects are critical for India’s growth (India’s North-
Eastern region).
• India is also presently exploring the utilization of inland waterways in
Bangladesh.
# Defense
• The joint exercises between the two Armies are called ‘Sampriti’, and
the Bangladeshi Navy also participates in the Milan
Exercises conducted by the Indian Navy.
• Bangladesh is cooperating with India in flushing out the various
insurgents from the NE-Indian region.
• The issue of terrorism and, more specifically, that of Pakistan state-
sponsored terrorism is a cause for concern for both nations.
• The two nations also cooperate in numerous multilateral forums such
as the SAARC, BIMSTEC and UN, amongst others.
# Energy cooperation
• Presently, India exports over 660 MW of electricity to Bangladesh
every year.
• The two nations are presently working on the construction of the India-
Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline between Siliguri- Parbatipur.
• India and Bangladesh have also signed the Framework of
Understanding (FOU) on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector.

# Tourism
Bangladesh accounted for the largest share of foreign tourist arrivals in
India in 2020, including tens of thousands of people who come to the
country for medical treatment.
  River disputes
• India and Bangladesh share 54 transboundary rivers.
Challenges Between
• Teesta River Water Dispute: Teesta river flows from
India and Bangladesh India to the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh.
Almost half a dozen districts in West Bengal are
dependent on this river. Bangladesh complains that it
does not get a fair share of the water.
• The Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric Power Project on the
Barak River.
• In 1996, the two countries reached an agreement on the
sharing of Ganga waters. However, India’s building and
operation of the Farakka Barrage to increase water supply
to the river Hooghly has been a major point of contention.
 The China challenge
• Bangladesh is a supporter of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
• China is financing over 25 energy projects, Bangladesh’s second nuclear
power project and the Bangabandhu communication satellite.
• Bangladesh imports Chinese military equipment, including submarines,
in the defense sector that is major concern for India’s National Security.

 Illegal Migration
• Large influx of such migrants across the boundary has posed serious socio-
economic-political problems for the people of Indian states bordering
Bangladesh with serious implications for its resources and national
security.
• The issue was further complicated when the Rohingya refugees originally
from Myanmar started infiltrating into India through Bangladesh.
 Terrorism
• The borders are susceptible to terrorist infiltration. A number of outfits are
trying to spread their tentacles across India, such as Jamaat-ul Mujahideen
Bangladesh (JMB)
• Anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh are fueled by the presence of groups
like Harkat-al-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), Jamaat-e-Islami, and HuJI-B.

 Drug Smuggling & Trafficking

• There have been many incidences of cross border 
drug smuggling & trafficking. Humans ( especially children & women)
are trafficked & various animal & bird species are poached through
these borders.
Way Forward

One of the most important steps India could take is to work out water-sharing arrangements on
some of the rivers flowing from India to Bangladesh, starting with the Teesta.

There is a need to enhance connectivity in the region through strengthening cooperation

in coastal connectivity, road, rail and inland waterways.

Shifting Focus Towards Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

India also needs to take a more proactive stance on the Rohingya issue.

To acquire their trust, India should adopt the Gujral doctrine of unilateral support for its smaller
neighbours, especially given China’s position.
Conclusion

• Bangladesh is critical for India’s security, the development of the Northeast

and the success of its ‘Look East Policy’.
• The next 20 years in Indo-Bangladesh relations will most likely be taken up
with the issues of human security.
• The role of India’s eastern states in Indo-Bangladesh relations will
grow significantly.
• As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the current time of connection
between the two nations as “Sonali Adhyay,” or the Golden Chapter, there is
potential for India-Bangladesh ties to move to the next level based on
cooperation, coordination, and consolidation.