#257: India-Bangladesh Relations
All you need to know for #UPSC
PM Hasina was in India recently and went home with a promise to allow more Bangladeshis in India!😮
(All recent developments and a look at India-Bangladesh relationship)
History
• India proved instrumental in Bangladesh formation
• Story ranges from Mukti Bahini to 90,000+ Pakistani surrenders
• mid-70s: Military regimes take over led to anti- India sentiments because of Boundary, water & insurgency disputes
• In 1996 take over of Bangladesh by Sheikh Hasina initiated better relations with India
Challenges to India- Bangladesh relations
• Illegal immigration of Rohingyas
• Cattle smuggling & border shootouts
• ~1k km of 4k km border fencing pending
• Border management & cross-border crime
Significance of India-Bangladesh relations
1. Economic
• India issues 2mn visas to Bangladesh annually
• Bangladesh is largest trading partner of India in South Asia
Goods worth $11bn are exported from India to Bangladesh
• In 2023, $21.84 billion worth of remittances were sent by Migrants in Bangladesh
2. Connectivity & Energy
a) Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail
• This is the first rail project connecting Bangladesh and North-east India
b) Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line
• Concessional Line of Credit was granted by India
c) Maitree Super Thermal Power Project
• Power plant in Khulna with 50-50 joint venture between India and Bangladesh
Political & Geopolitical
•Bangladesh is a key pillar of India’s 'Neighborhood policy'
• It is Suitable for connectivity and trade thanks to its 4000+ km border
• Regional influence quest require to manage China’s diplomatic influence
(China is now largest trade partner of Bangladesh)
Significance of latest visit
• The two countries achieved Consensus on Teesta water usage
• India announced its 5th Asst. High Commissions (AHC) in Rangpur. With this India now has 5 AHCs in Bangladesh at Rajshahi, Khulna, Chittagong, Sylhet and Rangpur.
(AHC= mid-size diplomatic establishment)
• Both the countries renewed the economic co-operation through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
Notes from the sidelines
Officials from both the countries signed 10 pacts on industries including:
• Space
• Railways
• Blue economy
• Medical e-visas
• Maritime sphere
• Green technology
• Health and medicine
• Co-operation in digital domain.
Important keywords and quotes for UPSC
• 3C Pillars: Connectivity, Commerce & Collaboration
• Shonali Adhyaya: Golden chapter in bilateral relations
• "India is a Major neighbor, Trusted friend and Regional partner" - PM Hasina
This blog is an adaptation of my current affairs post on Twitter. Find a compilation of all my monthly tweets in one place to revise faster, better and easier👇🏻
