India and Bangladesh share a complex history and a unique relationship that has undergone significant changes since the partition of India in 1947. The two countries share a 4,096-kilometer-long border, making it one of the longest land borders in the world. Despite a rocky start to their relationship, the two countries have gradually strengthened their ties and have become important strategic partners in the region.
India-Bangladesh Relations: A Brief History
The relationship between India and Bangladesh dates back to the pre-independence era when Bangladesh was a part of undivided India. However, after the partition of India in 1947, Bangladesh became a part of East Pakistan, which was a province of Pakistan. The relationship between India and Pakistan was tense, and this tension spilled over into India’s relationship with Bangladesh.
The first major conflict between India and Bangladesh occurred in 1971 when Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan. India provided crucial support to the Bangladesh Liberation War and played a key role in securing Bangladesh’s independence. The conflict resulted in the deaths of over 3 million people and created a flood of refugees that strained India’s resources.
After Bangladesh’s independence, the relationship between India and Bangladesh remained tense, with both countries accusing each other of supporting armed insurgents on their respective sides of the border. This tension continued into the 1990s and early 2000s.
However, things started to change in the mid-2000s when the Awami League, a pro-India political party, came to power in Bangladesh. The Awami League government was keen to improve relations with India, and this led to a significant thaw in the relationship between the two countries.
India-Bangladesh Relations Today
Today, India and Bangladesh share a strong and mutually beneficial relationship. The two countries have worked to resolve longstanding issues, such as border disputes, water sharing, and trade imbalances. India has also provided significant economic and development assistance to Bangladesh.
One of the most significant developments in India-Bangladesh relations in recent years has been the signing of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) in 2015. The LBA resolved a long-standing border dispute between the two countries and resulted in the exchange of over 160 enclaves, which were pockets of land surrounded by the other country’s territory. The agreement was hailed as a major breakthrough in India-Bangladesh relations and was seen as a sign of the two countries’ commitment to resolving their differences peacefully.
Another important development in India-Bangladesh relations has been the signing of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) in 2019. The PIWTT allows for the use of Bangladesh’s rivers for transportation of goods from India’s northeastern states to the Bay of Bengal. This has opened up new opportunities for trade and commerce between the two countries and has the potential to significantly boost economic growth in the region.
India has also been a major development partner for Bangladesh. India has provided significant assistance in areas such as infrastructure development, power generation, and education. India has also been a major contributor to the development of Bangladesh’s transport infrastructure, including the construction of a new railway link between the two countries.
India and Bangladesh have also worked together to address security concerns in the region. The two countries have cooperated closely in the fight against terrorism and have worked together to combat drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the significant progress in India-Bangladesh relations, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. One of the biggest challenges is the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India. The issue has been a contentious one, with India accusing Bangladesh of not doing enough to prevent illegal immigration. The issue has also been complicated by the fact that many illegal immigrants have been living in India for years and have become an integral part of Indian society. This has led to a politically sensitive situation, with some Indian politicians using anti-immigrant rhetoric to gain support.
Another challenge is the issue of Rohingya refugees. Bangladesh is currently hosting over a million Rohingya refugees who have fled persecution in Myanmar. India has been accused of turning a blind eye to the refugee crisis and has faced criticism for its lack of action in supporting the refugees.
Despite these challenges, there are also significant opportunities for India-Bangladesh relations. One such opportunity is the development of the Bay of Bengal region as a hub for economic growth and development. The two countries can work together to promote regional connectivity and trade, which can lead to the creation of new jobs and increased economic growth in the region.
Another opportunity is the strengthening of cultural ties between the two countries. India and Bangladesh share a rich cultural heritage, and there is significant potential for cooperation in areas such as tourism, art, and literature.
India-Bangladesh relations have come a long way since the tumultuous days of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The two countries have made significant progress in resolving longstanding issues and have become important strategic partners in the region. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, such as the issue of illegal immigration and the Rohingya refugee crisis. India and Bangladesh must work together to address these challenges and to create new opportunities for cooperation and development in the region.
[Image credit: Prime Minister’s Office (GODL-India), via Wikimedia Commons]