Over the previous half-century, India and Bangladesh have demonstrated that shared historic challenges can function the muse for constructing sturdy, mutually helpful bilateral relations. Each nations, rooted in democratic values, have reworked their relationship right into a complete partnership marked by collaboration throughout numerous fields. This text explores how their achievements—from resolving boundary disputes to fostering financial, safety, and maritime cooperation—provide priceless classes for neighbours worldwide.
Landmark Resolutions: Setting an Instance for the World
Probably the most notable achievements in India-Bangladesh relations is the peaceable decision of boundary disputes. The 2015 Land Boundary Settlement (LBA) is a world mannequin of diplomacy and mutual respect. Underneath the settlement, each nations exchanged 162 enclaves—111 Indian enclaves inside Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India—ending many years of statelessness for over 50,000 residents. This historic accord granted people the precise to decide on their nationality, underscoring a dedication to human dignity.
Equally, the maritime boundary dispute within the Bay of Bengal was resolved in 2014 by way of the Everlasting Courtroom of Arbitration (PCA). The PCA awarded Bangladesh 19,467 sq. kilometres of maritime territory, a ruling accepted by each nations. This peaceable decision contrasts sharply with different contested maritime zones worldwide, such because the South China Sea, the place disputes stay unresolved and tensions persist.
Bilateral Commerce: Constructing Financial Bridges
Bangladesh is India’s largest buying and selling associate in South Asia, with bilateral commerce exceeding $16 billion in 2023. Obligation-free entry to Bangladeshi merchandise underneath the South Asian Free Commerce Settlement (SAFTA) has catalyzed commerce development. Each nations at the moment are negotiating a Complete Financial Partnership Settlement (CEPA) to additional improve financial ties, diversify commerce, and enhance investments.
Vitality cooperation has additionally performed a pivotal function. Since 2013, India has equipped electrical energy to Bangladesh, which now imports roughly 1,200 MW of electrical energy. This partnership extends to a tripartite settlement with Nepal, enabling the sale of Nepalese electrical energy to Bangladesh by way of the Indian grid—a primary in South Asia.
Connectivity: Rebuilding Historic Hyperlinks
India and Bangladesh have revived and expanded pre-1965 connectivity routes, fostering financial development and people-to-people exchanges. Key tasks embody:
Akhaura-Agartala Rail Hyperlink (2023): Restoring a historic railway connection that bolsters commerce and mobility.
Entry to Chittagong and Mongla Ports (2018): Enhancing India’s entry to its northeastern states and permitting Bangladesh to attach with Bhutan and Nepal.
BBIN Motor Car Settlement (2015): Facilitating seamless motion of products and passengers throughout Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
These initiatives showcase how connectivity can drive regional growth and integration.
Safety and Counterterrorism: A United Entrance
Recognizing the shared risk of terrorism, India and Bangladesh have intensified safety cooperation. Joint efforts in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and tackling cross-border crimes have curtailed rebel actions and bolstered regional stability. A landmark 2015 Memorandum of Understanding on Human Trafficking and enhanced border coordination have additional strengthened safety collaboration.
Defence Cooperation: Strengthening Strategic Ties
Defence ties between the 2 nations have grown considerably, supported by mechanisms such because the 2017 Defence Dialogue. Collaborative initiatives embody:
Joint Navy Workouts: Annual drills like Sampriti and naval workouts like Bongosagar improve interoperability and operational coordination.
Coordinated Patrols (CORPAT): Biannual patrols within the Bay of Bengal deal with unlawful actions and enhance maritime area consciousness.
Coaching and Training: Bangladeshi defence personnel obtain coaching at premier Indian establishments just like the Nationwide Defence Faculty (NDC), fostering mutual belief.
Maritime Cooperation: Guaranteeing Regional Stability
The Bay of Bengal has emerged as a essential space of collaboration, with each navies specializing in:
Maritime Safety: Sharing real-time info underneath the 2018 White Transport Settlement to fight piracy, human trafficking, and smuggling.
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): Bangladesh chaired this multilateral discussion board from 2016 to 2018, selling cooperation on maritime safety and sustainable growth.
Humanitarian Help and Catastrophe Aid (HADR)
Bangladesh ceaselessly faces pure disasters, and India has persistently offered well timed help. Throughout Cyclone Mora in 2017, the Indian Navy’s INS Sumitra delivered reduction supplies to Cox’s Bazar and rescued survivors at sea. Equally, India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative throughout the COVID-19 pandemic accentuated its dedication to Bangladesh’s well-being.
Regional Cooperation: Past Bilateral Ties
India and Bangladesh are lively members in regional boards resembling IORA (Indian Ocean Regional Affiliation) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Financial Cooperation). These platforms facilitate collaboration on maritime safety, commerce, and the blue economic system.
Conclusion: A Mannequin Partnership for Shared Prosperity
The India-Bangladesh relationship stands as a testomony to the ability of collaboration and mutual respect. By resolving advanced points like boundary disputes and fostering cooperation in commerce, safety, and connectivity, the 2 neighbours have set a excessive normal for regional partnerships. Because the Bay of Bengal assumes higher strategic significance, this partnership will proceed to play a pivotal function in guaranteeing peace, stability, and prosperity within the Indo-Pacific area.
Their success story affords a blueprint for different nations, demonstrating how shared challenges can evolve into shared alternatives, fostering a brighter future for the area and the world.
(Girish Linganna is a Defence and Aerospace Analyst primarily based out of Bengaluru. He’s additionally the Director of ADD Engineering Elements, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. The views expressed on this article are of the writer solely.)
