International Relations
India-Bangladesh Relations
- 04 Apr 2025
- 7 min read
For Prelims: BIMSTEC, Exercise Bongosagar, India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, Smart fencing
For Mains: India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, India-Bangladesh bilateral relations, India’s Act East Policy.
Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Bangkok on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit, this marks their first official interaction since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
What are the Key Highlights of India-Bangladesh Relations?
- Defence Cooperation: Both nations conduct joint military exercises such as Exercise Sampriti (Army) and Exercise Bongosagar (Navy), Coordinated Patrol (Navy) to enhance defence cooperation.
- Economic and Commercial: Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia, while India is its second-largest trade partner in Asia. In FY 2023-24, the total bilateral trade stood at USD 12.9 billion.
- India’s exports to Bangladesh stood at USD 11.06 billion and India’s imports from Bangladesh were at USD 1.8 billion.
- India’s key exports to Bangladesh include cotton, petroleum products, engineering goods, and chemicals.
- Major imports from Bangladesh are apparel, textiles, jute goods, and aerospace parts.
- Energy and Connectivity: The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is the first cross border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh with a capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) to Bangladesh, boosting energy ties.
- Key cross-border projects like the Akhaura-Agartala rail link, the Khulna-Mongla port rail line and Maitri Setu further strengthen connectivity and cooperation.
- The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, developed by Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company (BIFPCL), a joint venture between National Thermal Power Corporation and Bangladesh Power Development Board, has been made operational and is supplying power to the Bangladesh grid.
- Multilateral Cooperation: India and Bangladesh actively collaborate in regional forums like South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, BIMSTEC, and Indian Ocean Rim Association to strengthen economic and strategic ties.
What is the Significance of Bangladesh for India?Click here to Read: Significance of Bangladesh for India |
What are the Challenges in India-Bangladesh Relations?
- Diplomatic Disconnect: India’s close association with Sheikh Hasina alienated other political actors in Bangladesh.
- Post-Hasina, India lacks deep institutional links with the interim government and broader political spectrum.
- India's decision to host Sheikh Hasina in exile has been perceived in Bangladesh as political interference, further exacerbating tensions.
- Growing Chinese Influence: Bangladesh is a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and receives significant Chinese investments in infrastructure projects such as ports, roads, energy, telecom, and the Teesta River Restoration.
- This growing presence adds a geopolitical dimension to India-Bangladesh bilateral tensions.
- Border Management & Illegal Migration: Illegal immigration from Bangladesh continues to strain India’s northeastern states, causing socio-economic and political tensions. The Rohingya refugee crisis has further complicated the issue.
- Persistent issues of cross-border terrorism, insurgency support, and trafficking remain with Insurgent groups like United Liberation Front of Asom have reportedly operated camps in Border regions.
- Rise of Anti-India Sentiment: Despite economic ties, public perception has soured due to perceived Indian interference in Bangladesh’s internal politics.
- Public protests, slogans like 'Delhi or Dhaka: Dhaka, Dhaka,' and campaigns such as 'India Out' reflect deep-rooted mistrust.
What Can Be Done to Enhance India-Bangladesh Relations?
- Engage Inclusively: Establish structured, long-term engagement with a broad spectrum by promoting track-2 diplomacy through think tanks, retired diplomats, and academic institutions.
- Institutionalise sub-national engagement by forming a "Bangladesh Engagement Forum" with Chief Ministers of bordering states (West Bengal, Assam, Tripura). Use platforms like North Eastern Council and Act East Forum to align regional connectivity with Bangladesh’s growth.
- Leverage Multilateral Initiatives: Integrate Bangladesh within India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) for regional maritime cooperation and accelerate the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Initiative Motor Vehicles Agreement to boost regional connectivity, facilitate smoother cross-border transportation, and enhance trade and economic integration.
- Border Management: Complete smart fencing of the India-Bangladesh border (under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS)) with priority to drug trafficking and cattle smuggling hotspots.
- People-to-People Connectivity: Create a Bangladesh Cultural Corridor under the Ministry of Culture to promote Indian cinema, classical arts, and academic translations into Bengali.
- Roll out scholarships like the 'Suborno Jayanti Scholarship (SJS)' for Bangladeshi youth in Indian universities and technical institutes.
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Drishti Mains Question: Briefly discuss key challenges in India-Bangladesh ties and suggest ways to resolve them. |
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (2017)
- The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.
- River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.
- 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)
