Diljit Dosanjh

India and Bangladesh share a deep and multifaceted relationship marked by historical ties, cultural affinities, and strategic cooperation. Since Bangladesh's independence in 1971, India has played a crucial role in the nation's birth and its subsequent development, shaping the bilateral relationship for decades to come. Over the years, this relationship has evolved into a partnership that encompasses various domains such as politics, trade, water resources, energy, and security. However, it has also seen challenges related to border disputes, migration, and the sharing of river waters. This article will explore the India-Bangladesh relationship in detail, discussing the historical context, political cooperation, economic engagement, security concerns, and water disputes, along with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Historical Context

The relationship between India and Bangladesh is rooted in history, culture, and geography. Before Bangladesh became an independent nation, it was part of British India until 1947 and then became East Pakistan after the partition of India. The linguistic and cultural differences between the Bengali-speaking population of East Pakistan and the Urdu-speaking elite of West Pakistan led to growing discontent, which culminated in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. India played a decisive role in this conflict by providing diplomatic, military, and humanitarian support to the Bengali nationalist movement.

India’s intervention in the Bangladesh Liberation War was driven by both humanitarian concerns and national interest. The Pakistani military’s brutal crackdown on Bengali nationalists resulted in millions of refugees fleeing to India, particularly to the northeastern states. This refugee crisis strained India’s resources and intensified domestic pressure on the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to take action. India’s military support, combined with diplomatic efforts to gain international recognition for Bangladesh’s independence, culminated in the defeat of Pakistani forces and the creation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.

This historical context laid the foundation for a strong bilateral relationship. Bangladesh has consistently acknowledged India’s role in its liberation, and the two nations have shared a sense of camaraderie stemming from their struggle against colonialism and oppression. However, the relationship has not been without its challenges. In the years following Bangladesh’s independence, political changes in both countries, including military coups in Bangladesh and shifts in government in India, affected the trajectory of bilateral ties.

Political Cooperation

India and Bangladesh have maintained steady political cooperation, often characterized by high-level diplomatic engagements, bilateral agreements, and mutual visits by leaders. In recent years, particularly under the leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the relationship has witnessed a significant upswing.

One of the hallmarks of the India-Bangladesh political relationship has been the resolution of long-standing territorial disputes. A major breakthrough came in 2015 with the ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA). The LBA resolved border disputes that had persisted since the partition of British India. It involved the exchange of enclaves, where India and Bangladesh each had small pockets of land surrounded by the other's territory. The agreement led to the exchange of 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India, affecting over 50,000 people. This peaceful resolution was seen as a triumph of diplomacy and significantly enhanced trust between the two countries.

Beyond territorial disputes, political cooperation extends to regional and international forums. Both countries are members of regional organizations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). These platforms allow India and Bangladesh to coordinate their efforts on regional development, security, and trade. India has also supported Bangladesh's aspirations for greater international recognition, including its bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.

Despite the positive trajectory, political differences do emerge, particularly regarding domestic policies and political dynamics within Bangladesh. India closely monitors political stability in Bangladesh, given that instability in its neighbor could have regional security implications. Additionally, the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh into India has occasionally strained relations, particularly in India’s northeastern states, where the local population has expressed concerns about demographic changes.

Economic Engagement

Trade and economic cooperation form one of the most crucial pillars of the India-Bangladesh relationship. Over the years, economic ties between the two nations have expanded significantly, with both countries recognizing the importance of each other as trading partners. India is Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner, while Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia.

The volume of bilateral trade has grown steadily, reaching approximately $10 billion annually. India exports a wide range of goods to Bangladesh, including machinery, chemicals, cotton, and automobiles. In return, Bangladesh exports textiles, leather goods, jute products, and seafood to India. Despite this growing trade relationship, there has been concern over the trade imbalance, with Bangladesh running a large trade deficit with India. To address this, India has taken steps to improve market access for Bangladeshi products, including granting duty-free and quota-free access to Bangladesh's exports under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement.

In addition to trade, India has been a key partner in Bangladesh’s infrastructure development. India has extended multiple lines of credit to Bangladesh, amounting to billions of dollars, to finance projects in areas such as transportation, power generation, and information technology. Notably, India has been involved in developing connectivity projects such as railways, roads, and waterways that facilitate trade between the two countries. These projects aim to enhance economic integration between India and Bangladesh, particularly connecting India’s landlocked northeastern states to the rest of the country through Bangladesh.

Energy cooperation is another important aspect of the economic relationship. Bangladesh imports electricity from India to meet its growing energy needs, and there are ongoing discussions about further enhancing energy trade. India is also investing in energy projects in Bangladesh, including power plants and renewable energy projects.

Security Concerns

Security cooperation between India and Bangladesh has gained momentum in recent years, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism, border management, and regional stability. Both countries share a long and porous border of approximately 4,096 kilometers, which has historically been a source of concern due to issues such as illegal migration, smuggling, and insurgency.

India and Bangladesh have taken several measures to strengthen border security and reduce cross-border criminal activities. The Border Security Force (BSF) of India and the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) engage in regular meetings and joint patrols to ensure better coordination. The 2015 Land Boundary Agreement helped reduce tensions along the border, but incidents of illegal crossings and smuggling continue to pose challenges.

Counter-terrorism cooperation has been a key area of focus, particularly in the context of the rise of extremism in South Asia. Bangladesh has taken significant steps to crack down on extremist groups operating within its borders, and India has appreciated these efforts. Both countries have a mutual interest in preventing the spread of radicalism, which could destabilize the region. India has also provided assistance to Bangladesh in enhancing its counter-terrorism capabilities through training and intelligence sharing.

Another important aspect of security cooperation is maritime security. With the Bay of Bengal being a key strategic area, India and Bangladesh have cooperated in enhancing maritime security and tackling issues such as piracy, illegal fishing, and human trafficking. In 2014, the Permanent Court of Arbitration resolved a long-standing maritime boundary dispute between the two countries, providing clarity over the delineation of territorial waters and facilitating greater cooperation in maritime matters.

Water Disputes

One of the most contentious issues in the India-Bangladesh relationship has been the sharing of transboundary rivers, particularly the Ganges and the Teesta. As downstream countries, Bangladesh relies heavily on these rivers for agriculture, fisheries, and drinking water. The Ganges Water Treaty, signed in 1996, provided a framework for sharing the waters of the Ganges River during the dry season, but the sharing of the Teesta River remains unresolved.

The Teesta River, which flows through the Indian state of West Bengal into Bangladesh, is a lifeline for millions of people in northern Bangladesh. However, water scarcity during the dry season has made it difficult to reach an agreement on water sharing. While India and Bangladesh have engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations, domestic political considerations in both countries, particularly opposition from West Bengal, have complicated the issue. The unresolved Teesta dispute continues to be a source of tension in the otherwise positive bilateral relationship.

In addition to the Teesta, both countries share over 50 rivers, making water management a critical issue for future cooperation. Climate change is expected to exacerbate water-related challenges, with rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns affecting water availability. Both countries recognize the need for greater cooperation on water management, including joint efforts to improve river basin management, flood control, and disaster preparedness.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the India-Bangladesh relationship has seen significant progress, several challenges remain. The issue of illegal migration continues to be a point of contention, particularly in India’s northeastern states, where there is a perception that large-scale migration from Bangladesh has changed the demographic composition. The implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India has raised concerns in Bangladesh about the potential impact on its citizens.

Moreover, trade imbalances and non-tariff barriers remain areas of concern for Bangladesh, which seeks greater access to Indian markets for its products. While India has taken steps to address these concerns, further efforts are needed to promote equitable trade relations.

Despite these challenges, the India-Bangladesh relationship holds immense potential. The economic partnership, in particular, offers significant opportunities for both countries to deepen their engagement. Enhanced connectivity projects, energy cooperation, and joint ventures in manufacturing and infrastructure can drive mutual growth. Furthermore, regional cooperation through platforms such as BIMSTEC and SAARC can help address shared challenges related to security, development, and climate change.

Conclusion

The India-Bangladesh relationship is one of the most important bilateral partnerships in South Asia, characterized by shared history, deep cultural ties, and strategic cooperation. Over the years, both countries have worked to strengthen their political, economic, and security cooperation while addressing contentious issues such as border management and water sharing. While challenges remain, the trajectory of the relationship is positive, and there is significant potential for further cooperation in the years to come. As both nations navigate the complexities of regional politics and global challenges, the India-Bangladesh partnership will continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of South Asia.