#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

3. 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👇🏻