Developments in India-Bangladesh Relations | 03 Jul 2024

For Prelims: India-Bangladesh Relations, Bangladesh Liberation War, Russia-Ukraine War, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Ganga Waters Treaty.

For Mains: India-Bangladesh Relations, Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, during the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister to India, the two countries agreed to begin a dialogue on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) paving the way for broader economic ties between the two neighbouring economies.

  • In 2022, both nations concluded a joint feasibility study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

What were the Major Outcomes of the Recent Meeting?

  • India and Bangladesh have agreed to commence work on a CEPA to enhance economic ties and foster trade and investment between the two nations.
    • This agreement seeks to capitalise on the economic complementarity between the two fast-growing economies in South Asia.
  • India has agreed to support the construction of an inland container port in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, facilitating better logistics and trade flow.
  • Both the countries agreed to initiate technical-level talks to renew the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty, focusing on flood management, early warning systems, and drinking water projects. This is significant given the 54 rivers shared between the two nations.
  • A maritime cooperation pact was signed, reflecting their shared vision for the Indian Ocean and mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Bangladesh’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative was welcomed by India.

Other Recent Developments in India-Bangladesh Cooperation

  • Inauguration of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
  • Rehabilitation and operation of pre-1965 rail links between India and Bangladesh.
  • Inauguration of Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link in 2023, that connects Bangladesh and the northeast through Tripura. It is the sixth India-Bangladesh cross-border rail link.
  • The BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity connects major transport projects in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, thereby establishing a shipping network.
  • Operationalisation of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.
  • Cargo facility for India’s northeastern States through the Khulna-Mongla Port. 
    • Mongla Port has been connected by rail for the first time.
  • Cultural exchanges and cooperation through centres like the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre.
  • Bangladesh annually benefits from Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training courses and scholarships for higher education in India.

How have been the Ties Between India-Bangladesh?

  • Historical Ties:
    • The foundation of India’s relationship with Bangladesh was laid in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. India provided critical military and material support to assist Bangladesh in its fight for independence from Pakistan.
    • Despite this, relations worsened within a few years due to military regimes, anti-India sentiment but stability returned with a change in regime in 1996 along with a treaty on Ganga water sharing.
    • India and Bangladesh also successfully resolved long-pending issues, like the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) in 2015 and a maritime dispute over territorial waters.
  • Economic Cooperation:
    • Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown steadily over the last decade.
    • Bangladesh is India's biggest trade partner in South Asia and India is the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh in Asia. 
      • India is Bangladesh's largest export destination in Asia, with approx USD 2 billion of Bangladeshi exports to India in FY 2022-23.
    • Since 2010, India has extended Lines of Credit to Bangladesh worth over USD 7 billion.
  • Energy:
    • In the energy sector, Bangladesh imports nearly 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from India.
    • In 2018, Russia, Bangladesh and India signed a memorandum on cooperation in the implementation of the Rooppur Nuclear power plant project, Bangladesh's first nuclear power reactor.
  • Defence and Multilateral Cooperation:.

What are the Challenges and Potential Solutions in India-Bangladesh Relations?

 

Drishti Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the major challenges in India-Bangladesh relations. Suggest measures to address these issues to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional stability.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (2017)

  1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.
  2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.
  3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Mains

Q. Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (2018)