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{{Infobox bilateral relations|mission1=High Commission of India, | {{Infobox bilateral relations|mission1=[[High Commission of India, Dhaka]]|mission2=High Commission of Bangladesh, [[New Delhi]]|envoytitle1=[[List of high commissioners of India to Bangladesh|Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh]]|envoy1=[[Vikram Kumar Doraiswami]]|envoytitle2=[[List of High Commissioners of Bangladesh to India|Bangladeshi High Commissioner to India]]|envoy2=Muhammad Imran|Bangladesh-India|India|Bangladesh|filetype=svg}} | ||
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina, on the sidelines of the 4th BIMSTEC Summit, in Kathmandu, Nepal on August 30, 2018.JPG|thumb|284x284px|The Prime Minister of India, [[Narendra Modi]] meeting the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, [[Sheikh Hasina]], on the sidelines of the 4th [[Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation|BIMSTEC]] Summit, in [[Kathmandu|Kathmandu, Nepal]] on 30 August 2018]] | [[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina, on the sidelines of the 4th BIMSTEC Summit, in Kathmandu, Nepal on August 30, 2018.JPG|thumb|284x284px|The Prime Minister of India, [[Narendra Modi]] meeting the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, [[Sheikh Hasina]], on the sidelines of the 4th [[Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation|BIMSTEC]] Summit, in [[Kathmandu|Kathmandu, Nepal]] on 30 August 2018]] | ||
'''Bangladesh–India relations''' ({{Lang-bn|বাংলাদেশ-ভারত সম্পর্ক}}; {{Lang-hi|बांग्लादेश-भारत संबंध}}) | '''Bangladesh–India relations''', ({{Lang-bn|বাংলাদেশ-ভারত সম্পর্ক}}; {{Lang-hi|बांग्लादेश-भारत संबंध}}) also referred to as '''Bangladeshi-Indian relations''' or '''Indo-Bangladeshi relations''', are the [[bilateral relations]] between the [[People’s Republic of Bangladesh]] and the [[Republic of India]], both of which are [[South Asian]] neighbours. Diplomatic relations between the two countries formally began in 1971 with India's recognition of an independent Bangladesh (which was formerly known as East Pakistan). | ||
The relations between the two countries have | The relations between the two countries have been characterised as a [[Special relationship (international relations)|special relationship]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/50yrs-bangladesh-india-ties-focus-should-be-trade-connectivity-2911171|title=50yrs of Bangladesh-India Ties: Focus should be on trade, connectivity|date=2021-12-06|access-date=2021-12-30|website=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|url-status=live|quote=We've a very special relationship with India. The relationship is the friendliest. The friendship of Bangladesh and India is in our hearts. The bonds of friendship will remain firm and long-lasting," she quoted Bangabandhu as saying in 1972.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206184938/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/50yrs-bangladesh-india-ties-focus-should-be-trade-connectivity-2911171 |archive-date=6 December 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-bangladesh-ties-special-and-unique-not-comparable-with-relationship-with-other-countries-foreign-secretary-harsh-vardhan-shringla/articleshow/88305727.cms|title=India-Bangladesh ties 'special' and 'unique', not comparable with relationship with other countries: Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla|date=2021-12-15|access-date=2021-12-30|website=[[The Times of India]]|quote=India doesn't look at what relationships are there with other countries when it celebrates the "uniqueness" of its "special relationship" with Bangladesh, he said on a day when President Kovind held wide-ranging talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart M Abdul Hamid.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-enduring-logic-of-india-bangladesh-ties/|title=The enduring logic of India-Bangladesh ties|date=2020-07-29|access-date=2021-10-29|website=ORF - Observer Research Foundation|last1=V. Pant|first1=Harsh|last2=Bhattacharjee|first2=Joyeeta}}</ref> although some disputes remain unresolved. The historic land boundary agreement was signed on 6 June 2015 which settled decades old border disputes,<ref>{{cite news |author=Serajul Quadir |date=6 June 2015 |title=India, Bangladesh sign historic land boundary agreement |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/bangladesh-india-land-treaty-idINKBN0OM0IV20150606 |work=Reuters India}}</ref> while negotiations are still ongoing over the sharing of water of the [[transboundary river]]s. In recent years, Bangladesh has seen rising anti-India sentiments among its citizens due to the Indian government's perceived anti-Muslim and anti-Bangladeshi activities like India's interference in Bangladeshi politics, [[Deaths along the Bangladesh–India border|killings of Bangladeshis by Indian BSF]], [[Citizenship Amendment Act]], rise of [[Hindutva]] in India as well as India's reluctance in solving the water disputes in common rivers with Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Impact of CAA on Bangladesh: Despite Dhaka's efforts, anti-India sentiment on the rise among its citizens |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/impact-of-caa-on-bangladesh-despite-dhakas-efforts-anti-india-sentiment-on-the-rise-among-its-citizens-7796251.html |access-date=29 March 2021 |agency=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Violent protests spread in Bangladesh after Modi visit |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/28/violent-protests-spread-in-bangladesh-after-modi-visit |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=www.aljazeera.com |agency=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> In 2019, several Bangladeshi ministers canceled their scheduled state visits to India as a response to India's Citizenship Amendment Bill.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh ministers cancel visit to India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bangladesh-ministers-cancel-visit-to-india-citizenship-amendment-bill-6164430/ |access-date=4 December 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=13 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, [[2021 Bangladesh anti-Modi protests|massive protests]] in Bangladesh against the state visit by Indian PM Narendra Modi to the country led to the death of at least 14 people.<ref>{{cite news |title=Three killed in Hefazat mayhem during hartal |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/03/28/hefazat-observing-hartal |access-date=27 April 2021 |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=28 March 2021}}</ref> | ||
In 1971, the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] broke out between [[East Pakistan]] and [[West Pakistan]]; India intervened in December 1971 | Bangladesh and India are common members of [[SAARC]], [[BIMSTEC]], [[Indian Ocean Rim Association|IORA]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. The two countries share many cultural ties. In particular, Bangladesh and the east Indian state of [[West Bengal]] are [[Bengali language|Bengali-speaking]]. In 1971, the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] broke out between [[East Pakistan]] and [[West Pakistan]]; India intervened in December 1971 in support of East Pakistan and helped secure its independence from Pakistan as the country of [[Bangladesh]]. Since the visit of Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] to Bangladesh in 2015 and round back visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] to India in 2017, the notable developments that have taken places include resolution of long-pending land and maritime boundaries asserting the issue of enclaves, conclusion of over ninety instruments comprising in the hi-tech areas, i.e., electronics, cyber-security, space, information technology, and civil nuclear energy and observed increase in bilateral trade from US$9 billion to US$10.46 billion in the fiscal year (FY) 2018–19, preceded by US$7 billion to US$9 billion in FY 2017–18, an increase of 28.5 percent.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Latifee |first1=Enamul Hafiz |last2=Hossain |first2=Md. Sajib |title=Forging stronger Indo-Bangla economic ties |url=http://m.theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/212209 |work=The Independent |publisher=Independent Publications Limited |date=22 August 2019 |access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref> | ||
On 6 December, [[Bangladesh]] and [[India]] celebrate Friendship Day ({{Lang-bn|বন্ধুত্ব দিবস}}; {{Lang-hi|मित्रता दिवस}}) commemorating India's recognition of Bangladesh and the continued friendship between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news |title= Missions of India and Bangladesh observe Maitri Diwas on Bangladesh's 50th year of liberation |url=https://www.connectedtoindia.com/missions-of-india-and-bangladesh-observe-maitri-diwas-on-bangladeshs-50th-year-of-liberation-9620.html |publisher=Connected to India |date=7 December 2021 |access-date=7 December 2021}}</ref> | |||
==History== | == History == | ||
[[File:Stamp of India - 2020 - Colnect 1027755 - Mujibur Rahman First President of Bangladesh Centenary.jpeg|thumb|A stamp issued by India to commemorate Mujib Borsho – the birth centenary of the father of the nation of Bangladesh [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]]|center]]India's links with Bangladesh are civilizational, cultural, social, and economic. There is much that unites the two countries – a shared history and common heritage, linguistic and cultural ties, passion for music, literature and the arts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Bangladesh_Brief.pdf |title=India-Bangladesh Relations |website=Ministry of External Affairs |publisher=Government of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205139/http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Bangladesh_Brief.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2021}} | |||
India's links with Bangladesh are | [[File:1971 Instrument of Surrender.jpg|thumb| Lt-Gen [[AAK Niazi]] signing the [[Pakistani Instrument of Surrender|instrument of surrender]] in the presence of Indian and Bangladeshi military personnel, ending the 1971 war.]] | ||
Also, [[Rabindranath Tagore]], the Indian [[Polymath]] created the national anthems of both Bangladesh and India in 1905 and 1911 respectively. The two nations were strong allies during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] in 1971. From the mid-1970s, however, relations worsened because Bangladesh developed closer ties with Islamic nations, participated in the [[Organization of the Islamic Conference]], and increased emphasis on Islamic identity over the country's ethnolinguistic roots. The two countries developed different [[Cold War]] alliances in the 1980s, which further chilled bilateral relations.<ref>{{cite book |author=David Lewis |author-link=David Lewis (academic) |date=2011 |title=Bangladesh: Politics, Economy and Civil Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5lH40gT7xvYC&pg=PA31 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=31–32 |isbn=978-1-139-50257-3 |quote=By 1974, Pakistan had recognised Bangladesh, and Mujib ... began participating in the Organization of the Islamic Conference. This, in turn, brought an end to the early positive phase of Bangladesh's relationship with India ... Saudi Arabia to recognise Bangladesh ... Zia's new emphasis on building a stronger Islamic identity in place of the earlier emphasis on an ethnolinguistic foundation. This shift also contributed to the creation of a more anti-Indian domestic political climate ... Ershad's government continued to build on the positive relation that Zia started building with the United States ... Relations with China also continued to remain close, but unlike Zia, Ershad did not make any effort to maintain friendly relations with the Soviet Union.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=M. Saleem Kidwai |date=2010 |title=US Policy Towards the Muslim World: Focus on Post 9/11 Period |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cVNRX5QRXTkC&pg=PA240 |publisher=University Press of America |pages=240– |isbn=978-0-7618-5158-5}}</ref> With the onset of economic liberalization in South Asia, they forged greater bilateral engagement and trade. The historic [[Ganges]] Water Sharing Treaty was concluded in 1996. India and Bangladesh are close strategic partners in [[counter-terrorism]]. They are also the largest trading partners in South Asia.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 December 2014 |title=Trade between India and Bangladesh |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/trade-between-india-and-bangladesh-114121800028_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard}}</ref> | Also, [[Rabindranath Tagore]], the Bengali-Indian [[Polymath]] created the national anthems of both Bangladesh and India in 1905 and 1911 respectively.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} The two nations were strong allies during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] in 1971. From the mid-1970s, however, relations worsened because Bangladesh developed closer ties with Islamic nations, participated in the [[Organization of the Islamic Conference]], and increased emphasis on Islamic identity over the country's ethnolinguistic roots.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} The two countries developed different [[Cold War]] alliances in the 1980s, which further chilled bilateral relations.<ref>{{cite book |author=David Lewis |author-link=David Lewis (academic) |date=2011 |title=Bangladesh: Politics, Economy and Civil Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5lH40gT7xvYC&pg=PA31 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=31–32 |isbn=978-1-139-50257-3 |quote=By 1974, Pakistan had recognised Bangladesh, and Mujib ... began participating in the Organization of the Islamic Conference. This, in turn, brought an end to the early positive phase of Bangladesh's relationship with India ... Saudi Arabia to recognise Bangladesh ... Zia's new emphasis on building a stronger Islamic identity in place of the earlier emphasis on an ethnolinguistic foundation. This shift also contributed to the creation of a more anti-Indian domestic political climate ... Ershad's government continued to build on the positive relation that Zia started building with the United States ... Relations with China also continued to remain close, but unlike Zia, Ershad did not make any effort to maintain friendly relations with the Soviet Union.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=M. Saleem Kidwai |date=2010 |title=US Policy Towards the Muslim World: Focus on Post 9/11 Period |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cVNRX5QRXTkC&pg=PA240 |publisher=University Press of America |pages=240– |isbn=978-0-7618-5158-5}}</ref> With the onset of economic liberalization in South Asia, they forged greater bilateral engagement and trade. The historic [[Ganges]] Water Sharing Treaty was concluded in 1996. India and Bangladesh are close strategic partners in [[counter-terrorism]]. They are also the largest trading partners in South Asia.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 December 2014 |title=Trade between India and Bangladesh |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/trade-between-india-and-bangladesh-114121800028_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard}}</ref> | ||
==Areas of contention== | ==Areas of contention== | ||
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# A major area of contention has been the construction and operation of the [[Farakka Barrage]] by India to increase water supply in the [[Hooghly River|River Hooghly]]. Bangladesh insists that it does not receive a fair share of the [[Ganges]] waters during the drier seasons, and gets flooded during the monsoons when India releases excess waters. See also [[Sharing of Ganges Waters]]. | # A major area of contention has been the construction and operation of the [[Farakka Barrage]] by India to increase water supply in the [[Hooghly River|River Hooghly]]. Bangladesh insists that it does not receive a fair share of the [[Ganges]] waters during the drier seasons, and gets flooded during the monsoons when India releases excess waters. See also [[Sharing of Ganges Waters]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} | ||
# There have also been disputes regarding the transfer of [[Teen Bigha Corridor]] to Bangladesh. Part of Bangladesh is surrounded by the Indian state of West Bengal. On 26 June 1992, India leased three [[bigha]] land to Bangladesh to connect this [[enclave]] with mainland Bangladesh. There was a dispute regarding the indefinite nature of the lease. The dispute was resolved by a mutual agreement between India and Bangladesh in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |author=Nishit Dholabhai |date=21 July 2011 |title=24/7 access for Bangla via corridor |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110721/jsp/nation/story_14268412.jsp |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Calcutta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002122534/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110721/jsp/nation/story_14268412.jsp |archive-date=2013-10-02 |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> | # There have also been disputes regarding the transfer of [[Teen Bigha Corridor]] to Bangladesh. Part of Bangladesh is surrounded by the Indian state of West Bengal. On 26 June 1992, India leased three [[bigha]] land to Bangladesh to connect this [[enclave]] with mainland Bangladesh. There was a dispute regarding the indefinite nature of the lease. The dispute was resolved by a mutual agreement between India and Bangladesh in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |author=Nishit Dholabhai |date=21 July 2011 |title=24/7 access for Bangla via corridor |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110721/jsp/nation/story_14268412.jsp |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Calcutta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002122534/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110721/jsp/nation/story_14268412.jsp |archive-date=2013-10-02 |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> | ||
# Terrorist activities carried out by outfits based in both countries, like [[Banga Sena]] and [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]].<ref>{{cite news |date=15 May 2008 |title=Bangladeshi Immigrants Stoke Terror in India |url=http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1200&Itemid=35 |newspaper=Asia Sentinel |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717232450/http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1200&Itemid=35 |archive-date=2012-07-17 |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> Recently India and Bangladesh had agreed jointly to fight terrorism.<ref>{{cite news |author=Haroon Habib |date=1 September 2008 |title=Delhi, Dhaka to strengthen border management |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Delhi-Dhaka-to-strengthen-border-management/article15295063.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> | # Terrorist activities carried out by outfits based in both countries, like [[Banga Sena]] and [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]].<ref>{{cite news |date=15 May 2008 |title=Bangladeshi Immigrants Stoke Terror in India |url=http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1200&Itemid=35 |newspaper=Asia Sentinel |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717232450/http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1200&Itemid=35 |archive-date=2012-07-17 |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> Recently India and Bangladesh had agreed jointly to fight terrorism.<ref>{{cite news |author=Haroon Habib |date=1 September 2008 |title=Delhi, Dhaka to strengthen border management |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Delhi-Dhaka-to-strengthen-border-management/article15295063.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> | ||
# Bangladesh has consistently denied India transit facility to the landlocked [[Northeast India|North Eastern Regions of India]]. Although India has a narrow land link to this North Eastern region, which is famously known as the [[Siliguri Corridor]] or "India's Chicken Neck", less than 27 | # Bangladesh has consistently denied India transit facility to the landlocked [[Northeast India|North Eastern Regions of India]].{{Better source needed|date=December 2021}} Although India has a narrow land link to this North Eastern region, which is famously known as the [[Siliguri Corridor]] or "India's Chicken Neck", less than 27 kilometers (17 mi) wide, remained as the only bridge between the northeastern part of India and the rest of the country.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 August 2011 |title=No transit deal with India: Bangladesh |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-08-29/news/29941392_1_transit-deal-transit-facilities-bangladesh |work=The Times of India}}</ref> | ||
# Illegal Bangladeshi immigration into India.<ref name=ODI1>{{cite web |author1=Fiona Samuels |author2=Sanju Wagle |date=2011 |title=Population mobility and HIV and AIDS: review of laws, policies and treaties between Bangladesh, Nepal and India |url=http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=5733&title=hiv-aids-migration-emphasis-bangladesh-nepal-india |location=London |website=[[Overseas Development Institute]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920024611/http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=5733&title=hiv-aids-migration-emphasis-bangladesh-nepal-india |archive-date=20 September 2012 }}</ref> The border is porous and migrants are able to cross illegally, though sometimes only in return for financial or other incentives to border security personnel.<ref name=ODI1/> Bangladeshi officials have denied the existence of Bangladeshis living in India and those illegal migrants found are described as having been [[Human trafficking|trafficked]].<ref name=ODI1/> This has considerable repercussions for those involved, as they are stigmatized for having been involved in prostitution, whether or not this has actually been the case. Cross border migrants are also at far higher risk of [[HIV/AIDS]] infection.<ref name=ODI1/> | # Illegal Bangladeshi immigration into India.<ref name=ODI1>{{cite web |author1=Fiona Samuels |author2=Sanju Wagle |date=2011 |title=Population mobility and HIV and AIDS: review of laws, policies and treaties between Bangladesh, Nepal and India |url=http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=5733&title=hiv-aids-migration-emphasis-bangladesh-nepal-india |location=London |website=[[Overseas Development Institute]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920024611/http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=5733&title=hiv-aids-migration-emphasis-bangladesh-nepal-india |archive-date=20 September 2012 }}</ref> The border is porous and migrants are able to cross illegally, though sometimes only in return for financial or other incentives to border security personnel.<ref name=ODI1/> Bangladeshi officials have denied the existence of Bangladeshis living in India and those illegal migrants found are described as having been [[Human trafficking|trafficked]].<ref name=ODI1/> This has considerable repercussions for those involved, as they are stigmatized for having been involved in prostitution, whether or not this has actually been the case. Cross border migrants are also at far higher risk of [[HIV/AIDS]] infection.<ref name=ODI1/> | ||
# Continuous border killing of Bangladeshi people by Indian border guards, aiding illegal immigrants, helping in armed [[dacoity]], fake money transfer and illegal drug trades by both Indian and Bangladeshi people are the major problems between Bangladesh and India. | # Continuous border killing of Bangladeshi people by Indian border guards, aiding illegal immigrants, helping in armed [[dacoity]], fake money transfer and illegal drug trades by both Indian and Bangladeshi people are the major problems between Bangladesh and India. | ||
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# There was a minor glitch in their relation when former Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh|Dr. Manmohan Singh]] accidentally mentioned that 25% of Bangladeshis are anti-Indian, during an informal press meet.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jayanth Jacob |date=24 July 2011 |title=After gaffe, PM calls Sheikh Hasina, announces Bangladesh dates |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/After-gaffe-PM-calls-Sheikh-Hasina-announces-Bangladesh-dates/Article1-717281.aspx |newspaper=The Hindustan Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022050652/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/After-gaffe-PM-calls-Sheikh-Hasina-announces-Bangladesh-dates/Article1-717281.aspx |archive-date=2012-10-22 |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> | # There was a minor glitch in their relation when former Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh|Dr. Manmohan Singh]] accidentally mentioned that 25% of Bangladeshis are anti-Indian, during an informal press meet.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jayanth Jacob |date=24 July 2011 |title=After gaffe, PM calls Sheikh Hasina, announces Bangladesh dates |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/After-gaffe-PM-calls-Sheikh-Hasina-announces-Bangladesh-dates/Article1-717281.aspx |newspaper=The Hindustan Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022050652/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/After-gaffe-PM-calls-Sheikh-Hasina-announces-Bangladesh-dates/Article1-717281.aspx |archive-date=2012-10-22 |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> | ||
===Border killings | ===Border killings=== | ||
{{Main|Deaths along the Bangladesh–India border}} | {{Main|Deaths along the Bangladesh–India border}} | ||
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[[Government of India|Indian officials]] visiting Bangladesh including the [[Indian Foreign Minister|Indian foreign ministers]] and BSF chiefs numerously vowed to stop BSF shootings, but Bangladeshi nationals, comprising mostly illicit border crossers, have continued to be shot dead by the Indian troops.<ref name="Hindu1">{{cite news |author=Haroon Habib |date=1 October 2012 |title=BSF promises to bring down border casualties to zero |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bsf-chief-promises-to-bring-down-border-casualties-to-zero/article3952115.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref> | [[Government of India|Indian officials]] visiting Bangladesh including the [[Indian Foreign Minister|Indian foreign ministers]] and BSF chiefs numerously vowed to stop BSF shootings, but Bangladeshi nationals, comprising mostly illicit border crossers, have continued to be shot dead by the Indian troops.<ref name="Hindu1">{{cite news |author=Haroon Habib |date=1 October 2012 |title=BSF promises to bring down border casualties to zero |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bsf-chief-promises-to-bring-down-border-casualties-to-zero/article3952115.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref> | ||
While anger grew in Bangladesh because of the continued BSF shootings and subsequent deaths,<ref name="HRW1" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=195668 |title=Bangladeshi dies as BSF throws stones |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]] |date=25 July 2011 |access-date=2012-10-29 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPLf9ngkcis |title=WB: Video showing BSF torture surfaces |newspaper=[[IBN Live]] |date=18 January 2012 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref> Indian officials argue that heightened security has followed the increasing flow of [[illegal emigration|illegal migrations]] into India as well as continued misuse of the border by [[Smuggling|illicit traders]]. Indian officials, vowing to cut down the number of casualties at border, showed statistics that the number of Bangladeshi deaths was in a steady decline in recent years.<ref name="Hindu1" /> | While anger grew in Bangladesh because of the continued BSF shootings and subsequent deaths,<ref name="HRW1" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=195668 |title=Bangladeshi dies as BSF throws stones |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]] |date=25 July 2011 |access-date=2012-10-29 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPLf9ngkcis |title=WB: Video showing BSF torture surfaces |newspaper=[[IBN Live]] |date=18 January 2012 |access-date=2012-10-29}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> Indian officials argue that heightened security has followed the increasing flow of [[illegal emigration|illegal migrations]] into India as well as continued misuse of the border by [[Smuggling|illicit traders]]. Indian officials, vowing to cut down the number of casualties at border, showed statistics that the number of Bangladeshi deaths was in a steady decline in recent years.<ref name="Hindu1" /> | ||
The Bangladeshi deaths caused by BSF shootings at the border became subject to a so-called [[cyber war]] between the hackers of the two countries that took the websites of [[Border Security Force|BSF]], [[National Informatics Centre]] and [[Trinamool Congress]] as victims.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 February 2012 |title=Bangladesh group hacks BSF website to 'avenge border killings' |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-15/india/31062663_1_pakistani-hackers-indian-websites-indian-hackers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510112352/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-15/india/31062663_1_pakistani-hackers-indian-websites-indian-hackers |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref> The [[ | The Bangladeshi deaths caused by BSF shootings at the border became subject to a so-called [[cyber war]] between the hackers of the two countries that took the websites of [[Border Security Force|BSF]], [[National Informatics Centre]] and [[Trinamool Congress]] as victims.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 February 2012 |title=Bangladesh group hacks BSF website to 'avenge border killings' |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-15/india/31062663_1_pakistani-hackers-indian-websites-indian-hackers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510112352/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-15/india/31062663_1_pakistani-hackers-indian-websites-indian-hackers |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref> The [[government of Bangladesh]] was found to comment on the issue condemning the cyber attacks on Indian websites. | ||
Border police often shoots to kill any illegal immigrants crossing the border. | Border police often shoots to kill any illegal immigrants crossing the border. Human Rights Watch estimates say 1,000 people were killed in the area between 2001 and 2011 by Indian border security force BSF.<ref name="ibtimes1Aug2015">{{cite news |date=1 August 2015 |title=India and Bangladesh historic border deal gives citizenship to 50,000 people |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/india-bangladesh-border-deal-gives-citizenship-50000-people-1513611/ |newspaper=IBTimes UK |access-date=2015-11-08}}</ref> | ||
==Recent developments== | ==Recent developments== | ||
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[[File:Vice Admiral Satish Soni, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Tariq Ahmad Karim and Bangladesh Navy Captain Mir Ershad Ali.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[High Commissioner]] of [[Bangladesh]] to India (centre) with [[Indian Navy]] officials.]] | [[File:Vice Admiral Satish Soni, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Tariq Ahmad Karim and Bangladesh Navy Captain Mir Ershad Ali.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[High Commissioner]] of [[Bangladesh]] to India (centre) with [[Indian Navy]] officials.]] | ||
In September 2011, the two countries signed a major accord on border demarcation to end the 4-decade old disputes over boundaries. This came to be known as the Tin Bigha corridor. India also granted 24-hour access to Bangladeshi citizens in the [[Tin Bigha Corridor]]. The agreement included exchange of adversely held enclaves, involving 51,000 people spread over 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India. The total land involved is | In September 2011, the two countries signed a major accord on border demarcation to end the 4-decade old disputes over boundaries. This came to be known as the Tin Bigha corridor. India also granted 24-hour access to Bangladeshi citizens in the [[Tin Bigha Corridor]]. The agreement included exchange of adversely held enclaves, involving 51,000 people spread over 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India. The total land involved is over 24,000 acres.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India |date=15 December 2021 |title=India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement 2015|url=https://mea.gov.in/Uploads/PublicationDocs/24529_LBA_MEA_Booklet_final.pdf |access-date=2021-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Azmeary Ferdoush |date=15 December 2021 |title=India and Bangladesh: Exchanging border enclaves & (re-)connecting with new citizens |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/05/12/sambandh-blog-india-and-bangladesh-exchanging-border-enclaves-re-connecting-with-new-citizens/ |access-date=2021-12-15}}</ref> | ||
On 9 October 2011, Indian and Bangladeshi armies participated in Sampriti-II (Unity-II), a 14-day-long Joint military exercise at Sylhet to increase synergy between their forces.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 October 2011 |title=Bangladesh-India joint military exercise begins |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/bangladesh-india-joint-military-exercise-begins_735673.html |newspaper=Zee News |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> | On 9 October 2011, Indian and Bangladeshi armies participated in Sampriti-II (Unity-II), a 14-day-long Joint military exercise at Sylhet to increase synergy between their forces.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 October 2011 |title=Bangladesh-India joint military exercise begins |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/bangladesh-india-joint-military-exercise-begins_735673.html |newspaper=Zee News |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> | ||
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From October 2013, India started exporting 500 megawatts of electricity a day to Bangladesh over a period of 35 years. A 125-kilometre Baharampur-Bheramara transmission line, 40 km of it in Bangladesh, connects the two substations. Bangladesh officials believe the export would greatly ease the national shortage once 500 MW flows into the national grid. The two country's Prime Ministers also unveiled the plaque of the 1,320-MW coal-fired Rampal power plant, a joint venture between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news |author=Haroon Habib |date=6 October 2013 |title=India begins power export to Bangladesh |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-begins-power-export-to-bangladesh/article5205415.ece |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai}}</ref> The link is being seen as a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relationship and comes at a time when India is desperate to make up for its inability to deliver on two key pacts with Bangladesh: one on Teesta waters and the land boundary pact.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 October 2013 |title=India-Bangladesh power transmission link open |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/indiabangladesh-power-transmission-link-open/1178942/ |newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref> | From October 2013, India started exporting 500 megawatts of electricity a day to Bangladesh over a period of 35 years. A 125-kilometre Baharampur-Bheramara transmission line, 40 km of it in Bangladesh, connects the two substations. Bangladesh officials believe the export would greatly ease the national shortage once 500 MW flows into the national grid. The two country's Prime Ministers also unveiled the plaque of the 1,320-MW coal-fired Rampal power plant, a joint venture between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news |author=Haroon Habib |date=6 October 2013 |title=India begins power export to Bangladesh |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-begins-power-export-to-bangladesh/article5205415.ece |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai}}</ref> The link is being seen as a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relationship and comes at a time when India is desperate to make up for its inability to deliver on two key pacts with Bangladesh: one on Teesta waters and the land boundary pact.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 October 2013 |title=India-Bangladesh power transmission link open |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/indiabangladesh-power-transmission-link-open/1178942/ |newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref> | ||
From November 2013, A [[Wagah border ceremony|Wagah Border]]-like ceremony is being | From November 2013, A [[Wagah border ceremony|Wagah Border]]-like ceremony is being organized at [[Petrapole]] (in West Bengal, India) - [[Benapole]] (Bangladesh) border checkpoint. The ceremony which includes parades, march-past and lowering of the national flag of both the countries is now a daily routine, at sundown, on the eastern border.<ref>{{cite news |author=Abhishek Law |title=Wagah-like retreat ceremony on India-Bangladesh border|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/wagahlike-retreat-ceremony-on-indiabangladesh-border/article5322459.ece |newspaper=The Hindu Business Line}}</ref> The relations between the countries are definitely moving in positive direction. | ||
Indian External Affairs Minister [[Sushma Swaraj]] visited Bangladesh in her first official overseas trip in June, 2014. On 7 May 2015 the Indian Parliament, in the presence of Bangladeshi diplomats, unanimously passed the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) as its 100th Constitutional amendment, thereby resolving all 68-year-old border disputes since the end of the British Raj. The bill was pending ratification since the 1974 Mujib-Indira accords. | Indian External Affairs Minister [[Sushma Swaraj]] visited Bangladesh in her first official overseas trip in June, 2014. On 7 May 2015 the Indian Parliament, in the presence of Bangladeshi diplomats, unanimously passed the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) as its 100th Constitutional amendment, thereby resolving all 68-year-old border disputes since the end of the British Raj. The bill was pending ratification since the 1974 Mujib-Indira accords. | ||
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In November 2015, Bangladeshi Commerce Minister [[Tofail Ahmed (politician)|Tofail Ahmed]] was critical of India's [[2015 Nepal blockade]], stating that "blockades hit at agreements like the [[BBIN]]".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-minister-pitches-for-end-to-nepal-blockade/article7778250.ece |title=Bangladesh Minister pitches for end to Nepal blockade |last=Kallol Bhattacherjee |work=The Hindu |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> | In November 2015, Bangladeshi Commerce Minister [[Tofail Ahmed (politician)|Tofail Ahmed]] was critical of India's [[2015 Nepal blockade]], stating that "blockades hit at agreements like the [[BBIN]]".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-minister-pitches-for-end-to-nepal-blockade/article7778250.ece |title=Bangladesh Minister pitches for end to Nepal blockade |last=Kallol Bhattacherjee |work=The Hindu |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> | ||
In 2018, the leaders of both the countries inaugurated the 130 km long Bangladesh-India Friendship pipeline to supply 4 lakh | In 2018, the leaders of both the countries inaugurated the 130 km long Bangladesh-India Friendship pipeline to supply 4 lakh [[tonne]]s of diesel to Bangladesh. In September 2018, the Bangladesh cabinet approved the draft of a proposed agreement with India to allow it to use the [[Chittagong]] and [[Port of Mongla|Mongla]] sea ports for transporting goods to and from its land-locked northeastern states.<ref>{{Cite magazine | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-sheikh-hasina-inaugurate-india-bangladesh-oil-pipeline-construction-1343280-2018-09-19 | title=PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina inaugurate India-Bangladesh oil pipeline construction |magazine=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/cabinet-approves-use-of-bangladesh-ports-for-indian-shipments-to-north-east/1316609/ |title = Cabinet approves use of Bangladesh ports for Indian shipments to North-East |work=The Financial Express |date = 17 September 2018}}</ref> | ||
In 2019, the Indian Parliament passed the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]] (CAA),<ref>{{Cite news|author=Helen Regan, Swati Gupta and Omar Khan|title=India passes controversial citizenship bill that excludes Muslims|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/11/asia/india-citizenship-amendment-bill-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=2020-09-12|work=CNN}}</ref> following which Bangladesh's Foreign Minister [[AK Abdul Momen]] and Home Minister [[Asaduzzaman Khan]] cancelled their trips to India.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-12-13|title=Bangladesh ministers cancel visit to India|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bangladesh-ministers-cancel-visit-to-india-citizenship-amendment-bill-6164430/|access-date=2020-09-12|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Later, minister [[Shahriar Alam (politician)|Shahriar Alam]] also cancelled his visit to India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=2020-01-11|title=Bangladesh foreign minister cancels visit to India|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/bangladesh-foreign-minister-cancels-visit-to-india-11578724311181.html|access-date=2020-09-12|work=mint|language=en}}</ref> Bangladeshi Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] was critical of the CAA, describing it as "not necessary", but nevertheless affirmed CAA and the [[National Register of Citizens]] were "internal matters" of India.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|title=PM on CAA, NRC: | In 2019, the Indian Parliament passed the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]] (CAA),<ref>{{Cite news|author=Helen Regan, Swati Gupta and Omar Khan|title=India passes controversial citizenship bill that excludes Muslims|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/11/asia/india-citizenship-amendment-bill-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=2020-09-12|work=CNN}}</ref> following which Bangladesh's Foreign Minister [[AK Abdul Momen]] and Home Minister [[Asaduzzaman Khan]] cancelled their trips to India.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-12-13|title=Bangladesh ministers cancel visit to India|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bangladesh-ministers-cancel-visit-to-india-citizenship-amendment-bill-6164430/|access-date=2020-09-12|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Later, minister [[Shahriar Alam (politician)|Shahriar Alam]] also cancelled his visit to India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=2020-01-11|title=Bangladesh foreign minister cancels visit to India|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/bangladesh-foreign-minister-cancels-visit-to-india-11578724311181.html|access-date=2020-09-12|work=mint|language=en}}</ref> Bangladeshi Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] was critical of the CAA, describing it as "not necessary", but nevertheless affirmed CAA and the [[National Register of Citizens]] were "internal matters" of India.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|title=PM on CAA, NRC: Don't understand why India did this|date=19 January 2020|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/2020/01/19/pm-caa-nrc-are-india-s-internal-matter}}</ref> | ||
==Defence relations== | ==Defence relations== | ||
During Sheikh Hasina's four-day visit to New Delhi in April 2017, Bangladesh and India signed two defence agreements, the first such agreements between India and any of its neighbors. Under the agreements, the militaries of the two countries will conduct joint exercises and training. India will help Bangladesh set up manufacturing and service centres for defence platforms that both countries possess with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing in Bangladesh, and will also provide the Bangladesh military with expert training, and technical and logistic support. India also extended its first ever defence-related line of credit to a neighboring country, by providing Bangladesh with $500 million to purchase defence equipment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-sign-two-major-defence-deals-with-bangladesh/articleshow/58068508.cms|title=India to sign two major defence deals with Bangladesh |work=The Economic Times|access-date=7 April 2017}}</ref> | During Sheikh Hasina's four-day visit to New Delhi in April 2017, Bangladesh and India signed two defence agreements, the first such agreements between India and any of its neighbors. Under the agreements, the militaries of the two countries will conduct joint exercises and training. India will help Bangladesh set up manufacturing and service centres for defence platforms that both countries possess with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing in Bangladesh, and will also provide the Bangladesh military with expert training, and technical and logistic support. India also extended its first ever defence-related line of credit to a neighboring country, by providing Bangladesh with $500 million to purchase defence equipment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-sign-two-major-defence-deals-with-bangladesh/articleshow/58068508.cms|title=India to sign two major defence deals with Bangladesh |work=The Economic Times|access-date=7 April 2017}}</ref> | ||
Also, the militaries of the two countries have played quite an extensive role in taking up common issues to enhance and conduct training programmes to deal with counter terrorism issues, natural disasters, ensure Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Reliefs (HADR). Very, recent in March 2019, [[Indian Army]]'s current [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Staff]], then as [[Commander-in-Chief, India|GOC-in-C]] of the [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Army Command]], [[Manoj Mukund Naravane|General M.M. Naravane]] visited to the [[Chief of Army Staff (Bangladesh)|Chief of Army Staff, of Bangladesh]], [[Aziz Ahmed (general)|General Aziz Ahmed]] to hold talks related to boosting of Intelligence sharing between the 2 countries along with developing other areas of defence cooperation. The visit has most importantly come up at the time, when [[Myanmar]] decided to take strong actions in order to act against the operating insurgent groups which were operating foiling up terrorist activities on both the sides of India and Myanmar, along with that had discussions on various options to enhance the conduction of Military exercises at a more rapid and strong scale.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/03/23/Top-Indian-military-officer-visits-Bangladesh-discusses-steps-boost-defence-ties.html|title=Top Indian military officer visits Bangladesh, discusses steps to boost defence ties|date=23 March 2019|work=The Week Magazine|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> | Also, the militaries of the two countries have played quite an extensive role in taking up common issues to enhance and conduct training programmes to deal with counter terrorism issues, natural disasters, ensure Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Reliefs (HADR). Very, recent in March 2019, [[Indian Army]]'s current [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Staff]], then as [[Commander-in-Chief, India|GOC-in-C]] of the [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Army Command]], [[Manoj Mukund Naravane|General M.M. Naravane]] visited to the [[Chief of Army Staff (Bangladesh)|Chief of Army Staff, of Bangladesh]], [[Aziz Ahmed (general)|General Aziz Ahmed]] to hold talks related to boosting of Intelligence sharing between the 2 countries along with developing other areas of defence cooperation. The visit has most importantly come up at the time, when [[Myanmar]] decided to take strong actions in order to act against the operating insurgent groups which were operating foiling up terrorist activities on both the sides of India and Myanmar, along with that had discussions on various options to enhance the conduction of Military exercises at a more rapid and strong scale.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/03/23/Top-Indian-military-officer-visits-Bangladesh-discusses-steps-boost-defence-ties.html|title=Top Indian military officer visits Bangladesh, discusses steps to boost defence ties|date=23 March 2019|work=The Week Magazine|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> | ||
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, that; <blockquote>India would not like to impose anything which Bangladesh may find not suitable to its requirement. The bilateral document under consideration is aimed at institutionalizing the existing mechanism and streamlining the ongoing cooperation between both the countries", an official said, adding maritime security will be a key element in the partnership with the two countries facing similar challenges in the [[Bay of Bengal|Bay of Bengal zone]]. A joint road-map for developing [[Blue economy|Blue Economy]] in [[Bay of Bengal]] is likely to be unveiled during Prime Minister Hasina's visit.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Roy Chowdhury|first=Dipanjan|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-sign-two-major-defence-deals-with-bangladesh/articleshow/58068508.cms?from=mdr|title=India to sign two major defence deals with Bangladesh|date=12 July 2018|work=The Economic Times, Defence|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> </blockquote> | |||
Also, both Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh, had welcomed their initiatives for developing a closer effort to strengthen Maritime Security Partnerships and also they appreciated the Finalization of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to the establishment of a Coastal Surveillance Radar System in Bangladesh's [[Chittagong]] and [[Port of Mongla|Mongla Ports]].<ref name="mea.gov.in">{{Cite web|url=https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/31911/IndiaBangladesh+Joint+Statement+during+Official+Visit+of+Prime+Minister+of+Bangladesh+to+India|title=India-Bangladesh Joint Statement during Official Visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India|date=5 October 2019|website=Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> | |||
Prime Minister | |||
=== Border security management === | === Border security management === | ||
During the state visit by | During the state visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to [[New Delhi]] in 2019, had a talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he appreciated the zero-tolerance policy of the government of Bangladesh's resolute effort towards ensuring peace, security and stability in the entire region and also it was recognized by both the leaders, that terrorism yet remains as one of the major significant threads to the levels of peace and stability of both the countries and the regions. However, the Prime Ministers of the two nations had entrusted and reiterated their faith and strong commitment in order to eliminate in all its forms of manifestations and stressed of the fact of avoiding terror. Also, both the Prime Ministers had referred to the successful discussions between the Home Ministers of both Bangladesh and India during the visit made by the Home Minister of Bangladesh to India in August 2019, whereby he agreed for a closer cooperation to fight against extremist radical groups, terrorist organisations, smuggling of arms, drugs and fake currency and also organized crime as a shared priority.<ref name="mea.gov.in"/> | ||
==Energy cooperation== | ==Energy cooperation== | ||
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina, in New York, USA on September 27, 2019 (1).jpg|thumb|Prime Minister of India, Shri [[Narendra Modi]] and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. [[Sheikh Hasina]] meets in New York, USA on 27 September 2020]] | [[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina, in New York, USA on September 27, 2019 (1).jpg|thumb|Prime Minister of India, Shri [[Narendra Modi]] and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. [[Sheikh Hasina]] meets in New York, USA on 27 September 2020]] | ||
India has recently introduced the concept of the Regional Power Trading System which will help various regions of the country in reducing the power deficit by transferring surplus power from another region. Under the Electricity Act 2003, the Indian companies could pool power in an exchange. A consumer would be free to buy it from anyone. This concept of power pool within India can also be enlarged to cover the | India has recently introduced the concept of the Regional Power Trading System which will help various regions of the country in reducing the power deficit by transferring surplus power from another region. Under the Electricity Act 2003, the Indian companies could pool power in an exchange. A consumer would be free to buy it from anyone. This concept of power pool within India can also be enlarged to cover the neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal after the establishment of a sub-regional power pool and necessary inter-connections among these countries are put in place. This can ultimately form a regional power pool thereby generating a huge opportunity for power trading in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article4073.html|title=India-Bangladesh Energy Cooperation: Historic Newer Trends}}</ref> | ||
India is also looking to export electricity from its north-eastern region with potential to generate some 58,971 MW to its eastern States through Bangladesh. Bangladesh hopes to have access to Nepal and Bhutan's power through India. Bangladesh has formally requested a ‘power corridor’ to access the Bhutanese and Nepalese markets. It has agreed to allow India to transfer hydroelectricity from Assam to Bihar through its territory. The proposed meeting would attempt to remove irritants in project-related areas.<ref>{{cite news |title=Multilateral dialogue on energy cooperation soon: Bangladesh FM |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/multilateral-dialogue-on-energy-cooperation-soon-bangladesh-fm/article6732732.ece|newspaper=The Hindu Business Line}}</ref> In 2016 deal between Prime Minister | India is also looking to export electricity from its north-eastern region with potential to generate some 58,971 MW to its eastern States through Bangladesh. Bangladesh hopes to have access to Nepal and Bhutan's power through India. Bangladesh has formally requested a ‘power corridor’ to access the Bhutanese and Nepalese markets. It has agreed to allow India to transfer hydroelectricity from Assam to Bihar through its territory. The proposed meeting would attempt to remove irritants in project-related areas.<ref>{{cite news |title=Multilateral dialogue on energy cooperation soon: Bangladesh FM |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/multilateral-dialogue-on-energy-cooperation-soon-bangladesh-fm/article6732732.ece|newspaper=The Hindu Business Line}}</ref> In 2016 deal between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was criticized. Bangladeshi critics accused the deal for setting a high price for the import of electricity, especially from [[Tripura]]. Equipment for the plant was sent through Bangladesh which waived most of the transit fees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/the-overton-window/the-devils-the-details-1391908|title=The devils in the details|date=2017-04-17|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2017-04-17|language=en}}</ref> | ||
Adani Power said on 8 November 2017 its arm Adani Power ([[Jharkhand]]) has inked long-term pact with [[Bangladesh Power Development Board]] to supply electricity from its upcoming 1,600 MW plant at [[Godda]] in [[Jharkhand]]. | Adani Power said on 8 November 2017 its arm Adani Power ([[Jharkhand]]) has inked long-term pact with [[Bangladesh Power Development Board]] to supply electricity from its upcoming 1,600 MW plant at [[Godda]] in [[Jharkhand]]. | ||
==High level visits== | ==High level visits== | ||
[[Hussain Muhammad Ershad|President Ershad]] visited India in 1982.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Lt-General Ershad's India visit opens 'new chapter' in Indo-Bangladesh relations : NEIGHBOURS |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lt-general-ershads-india-visit-opens-new-chapter-in-indo-bangladesh-relations/1/392243.html |journal=India Today}}</ref> Prime Minister | [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad|President Ershad]] visited India in 1982.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Lt-General Ershad's India visit opens 'new chapter' in Indo-Bangladesh relations : NEIGHBOURS |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lt-general-ershads-india-visit-opens-new-chapter-in-indo-bangladesh-relations/1/392243.html |journal=India Today}}</ref> Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India in 2010 to sign number of deals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/bangladesh/document/papers/indiabangjoint2010.htm|title=India-Bangladesh Joint Statement, January 2010}}</ref> Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] visited Dhaka in 2011 to sign number of deals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htmdtl/5147/Joint+Statement+on+the+occassion+of+the+visit+of+the+PM+of+India+to+Bangladesh|title=Sorry for the inconvenience.}}</ref> Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh which was historic as land boundary agreement was solved in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day Bangladesh visit |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modis-twoday-bangladesh-visit/article7286042.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=5 June 2015 |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Economic activity== | ||
Bangladesh-India bilateral trade was over US$10 billion in 2018–19.<ref name="IndBangla1">[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/india-plans-to-enhance-trade-with-bangladesh/articleshow/76881534.cms India plans to enhance trade with Bangladesh], Economic Times, July 2020.</ref> | |||
===Loans=== | |||
India | In 2011, India approved a $750 million loan for developing Bangladesh infrastructure<ref>{{cite news|author=Serajul Islam Quadir|date=4 September 2011|title=India approves $750 mln infrastructure loan for Bangladesh|work=Reuters|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-59137520110904}}</ref> and offered another $1 billion soft loan for infrastructure development in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=India's $1b loan offer|newspaper=The Daily Star|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/indias-1b-loan-offer-15485}}</ref> | ||
==Scholarships== | ==Scholarships== | ||
| Line 212: | Line 131: | ||
Bangladesh Cabinet has approved a revised trade deal with India under which the two nations would be able to use each other's land and water routes for sending goods to a third country, removing a long-standing barrier in regional trade. Under the deal India would also be able to send goods to Myanmar through Bangladesh. It incorporated a provision that the deal would be renewed automatically after five years if neither of the countries did not have any objection.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh Cabinet approves revised trade agreement with India |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/india-bangladesh-trade-may-almost-double-to-10-billion-by-2018-cii/articleshow/37126716.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref> | Bangladesh Cabinet has approved a revised trade deal with India under which the two nations would be able to use each other's land and water routes for sending goods to a third country, removing a long-standing barrier in regional trade. Under the deal India would also be able to send goods to Myanmar through Bangladesh. It incorporated a provision that the deal would be renewed automatically after five years if neither of the countries did not have any objection.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh Cabinet approves revised trade agreement with India |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/india-bangladesh-trade-may-almost-double-to-10-billion-by-2018-cii/articleshow/37126716.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref> | ||
== | ==COVID-19 pandemic cooperation== | ||
Bangladesh started mass | Bangladesh started mass COVID-19 vaccinations with India's Serum Institute [[Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine|Covishield]] vaccines on 7 February 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Paul|first=Ruma|date=7 February 2021|title='The wait is over': Bangladesh begins COVID-19 vaccinations|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-bangladesh-vaccine-idUSKBN2A70I0|access-date=29 April 2021|work=[[Reuters]]|language=en}}</ref> Bangladesh procured 7 million doses and India had meant to gift a further 3.3 million doses.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 April 2021|title='Uncertainty of vaccine availability must be cleared immediately|url=https://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/editorial/uncertainty-of-vaccine-availability-must-be-cleared-immediately|access-date=29 April 2021|work=[[Prothom Alo]]|language=en}}</ref> Due to a second wave of COVID-19 in India, the vaccine export was halted. It hampered the vaccination program in Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 April 2021|title=Bangladesh halts administering 1st dose of COVID jabs|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-halts-administering-1st-dose-of-covid-jabs/2220334|access-date=29 April 2021|work=[[Anadolu Agency]]|language=en}}</ref> | ||
In | In April 2021, Bangladesh sent medicines and medical equipment to India following the deteriorating [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 situation in India]]. The relief package consisted of approximately 10,000 vials of [[Remdesivir]], (produced in Bangladesh by [[Beximco]]) anti-viral injections, oral anti-viral, 30,000 PPE kits, and several thousand zinc, calcium, vitamin C and other necessary tablets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-04-29|title=COVID-19: Bangladesh offers emergency medical supplies to India|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/coronavirus-deadly-new-threat/news/covid-19-bangladesh-offers-emergency-medical-supplies-india-2085785|access-date=2021-05-03|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|Daily Star]]|language=en}}</ref> In May 2021, the government of Bangladesh sent a second consignment of COVID-19 relief consisting of antibiotics, paracetamol, protective equipment and hand sanitiser.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bangladesh-sends-second-consignment-of-medicines-to-india/article34590277.ece|title=Bangladesh sends second consignment of medicines to India|date=2021-05-18|access-date=2022-01-27|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518172026/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bangladesh-sends-second-consignment-of-medicines-to-india/article34590277.ece |archive-date=18 May 2021 }}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 227: | Line 146: | ||
* [[Indo-Bangladeshi barrier]] | * [[Indo-Bangladeshi barrier]] | ||
* [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]] (SAARC) | * [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]] (SAARC) | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
==Further reading== | |||
* Malone, David M., C. Raja Mohan, and Srinath Raghavan, eds. ''The Oxford handbook of Indian foreign policy (2015)'' [https://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Handbook-Indian-Foreign-Policy/dp/0198799063/ excerpt] pp 384–397. | |||
{{Commons category|Relations of Bangladesh and India}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 02:14, 28 March 2022
| Error creating thumbnail: File missing | |
 India |
 Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| High Commission of India, Dhaka | High Commission of Bangladesh, New Delhi |
| Envoy | |
| Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami | Bangladeshi High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran |
Bangladesh–India relations, (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ-ভারত সম্পর্ক; Hindi: बांग्लादेश-भारत संबंध) also referred to as Bangladeshi-Indian relations or Indo-Bangladeshi relations, are the bilateral relations between the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Republic of India, both of which are South Asian neighbours. Diplomatic relations between the two countries formally began in 1971 with India's recognition of an independent Bangladesh (which was formerly known as East Pakistan).
The relations between the two countries have been characterised as a special relationship[1][2][3] although some disputes remain unresolved. The historic land boundary agreement was signed on 6 June 2015 which settled decades old border disputes,[4] while negotiations are still ongoing over the sharing of water of the transboundary rivers. In recent years, Bangladesh has seen rising anti-India sentiments among its citizens due to the Indian government's perceived anti-Muslim and anti-Bangladeshi activities like India's interference in Bangladeshi politics, killings of Bangladeshis by Indian BSF, Citizenship Amendment Act, rise of Hindutva in India as well as India's reluctance in solving the water disputes in common rivers with Bangladesh.[5][6] In 2019, several Bangladeshi ministers canceled their scheduled state visits to India as a response to India's Citizenship Amendment Bill.[7] In 2021, massive protests in Bangladesh against the state visit by Indian PM Narendra Modi to the country led to the death of at least 14 people.[8]
Bangladesh and India are common members of SAARC, BIMSTEC, IORA and the Commonwealth. The two countries share many cultural ties. In particular, Bangladesh and the east Indian state of West Bengal are Bengali-speaking. In 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War broke out between East Pakistan and West Pakistan; India intervened in December 1971 in support of East Pakistan and helped secure its independence from Pakistan as the country of Bangladesh. Since the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in 2015 and round back visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in 2017, the notable developments that have taken places include resolution of long-pending land and maritime boundaries asserting the issue of enclaves, conclusion of over ninety instruments comprising in the hi-tech areas, i.e., electronics, cyber-security, space, information technology, and civil nuclear energy and observed increase in bilateral trade from US$9 billion to US$10.46 billion in the fiscal year (FY) 2018–19, preceded by US$7 billion to US$9 billion in FY 2017–18, an increase of 28.5 percent.[9]
On 6 December, Bangladesh and India celebrate Friendship Day (Bengali: বন্ধুত্ব দিবস; Hindi: मित्रता दिवस) commemorating India's recognition of Bangladesh and the continued friendship between the two countries.[10]
History
India's links with Bangladesh are civilizational, cultural, social, and economic. There is much that unites the two countries – a shared history and common heritage, linguistic and cultural ties, passion for music, literature and the arts.[11][non-primary source needed]
Also, Rabindranath Tagore, the Bengali-Indian Polymath created the national anthems of both Bangladesh and India in 1905 and 1911 respectively.[citation needed] The two nations were strong allies during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. From the mid-1970s, however, relations worsened because Bangladesh developed closer ties with Islamic nations, participated in the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and increased emphasis on Islamic identity over the country's ethnolinguistic roots.[citation needed] The two countries developed different Cold War alliances in the 1980s, which further chilled bilateral relations.[12][13] With the onset of economic liberalization in South Asia, they forged greater bilateral engagement and trade. The historic Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was concluded in 1996. India and Bangladesh are close strategic partners in counter-terrorism. They are also the largest trading partners in South Asia.[14]
Areas of contention
A post of the Bangladesh–India border
- A major area of contention has been the construction and operation of the Farakka Barrage by India to increase water supply in the River Hooghly. Bangladesh insists that it does not receive a fair share of the Ganges waters during the drier seasons, and gets flooded during the monsoons when India releases excess waters. See also Sharing of Ganges Waters.[citation needed]
- There have also been disputes regarding the transfer of Teen Bigha Corridor to Bangladesh. Part of Bangladesh is surrounded by the Indian state of West Bengal. On 26 June 1992, India leased three bigha land to Bangladesh to connect this enclave with mainland Bangladesh. There was a dispute regarding the indefinite nature of the lease. The dispute was resolved by a mutual agreement between India and Bangladesh in 2011.[15]
- Terrorist activities carried out by outfits based in both countries, like Banga Sena and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami.[16] Recently India and Bangladesh had agreed jointly to fight terrorism.[17]
- Bangladesh has consistently denied India transit facility to the landlocked North Eastern Regions of India.[better source needed] Although India has a narrow land link to this North Eastern region, which is famously known as the Siliguri Corridor or "India's Chicken Neck", less than 27 kilometers (17 mi) wide, remained as the only bridge between the northeastern part of India and the rest of the country.[18]
- Illegal Bangladeshi immigration into India.[19] The border is porous and migrants are able to cross illegally, though sometimes only in return for financial or other incentives to border security personnel.[19] Bangladeshi officials have denied the existence of Bangladeshis living in India and those illegal migrants found are described as having been trafficked.[19] This has considerable repercussions for those involved, as they are stigmatized for having been involved in prostitution, whether or not this has actually been the case. Cross border migrants are also at far higher risk of HIV/AIDS infection.[19]
- Continuous border killing of Bangladeshi people by Indian border guards, aiding illegal immigrants, helping in armed dacoity, fake money transfer and illegal drug trades by both Indian and Bangladeshi people are the major problems between Bangladesh and India.
- Both Bangladesh and India made claims over the same seawater at the Bay of Bengal before settlement of the issue.[20]
- There was a minor glitch in their relation when former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh accidentally mentioned that 25% of Bangladeshis are anti-Indian, during an informal press meet.[21]
Border killings
Deaths of Bangladeshi citizens in the Indo-Bangladesh border became one of the embarrassments between the two nation's bilateral relations in recent years. The so-called 'shoot-to-kill' policy by India's Border Security Forces (BSF)[22] that according to Human Rights Watch killed nearly 1,000 Bangladeshis between 2001 and 2011 has remained at the core of the talks between Bangladeshi and Indian officials visiting each other.[23][24]
Indian officials visiting Bangladesh including the Indian foreign ministers and BSF chiefs numerously vowed to stop BSF shootings, but Bangladeshi nationals, comprising mostly illicit border crossers, have continued to be shot dead by the Indian troops.[25]
While anger grew in Bangladesh because of the continued BSF shootings and subsequent deaths,[22][26][27] Indian officials argue that heightened security has followed the increasing flow of illegal migrations into India as well as continued misuse of the border by illicit traders. Indian officials, vowing to cut down the number of casualties at border, showed statistics that the number of Bangladeshi deaths was in a steady decline in recent years.[25]
The Bangladeshi deaths caused by BSF shootings at the border became subject to a so-called cyber war between the hackers of the two countries that took the websites of BSF, National Informatics Centre and Trinamool Congress as victims.[28] The government of Bangladesh was found to comment on the issue condemning the cyber attacks on Indian websites.
Border police often shoots to kill any illegal immigrants crossing the border. Human Rights Watch estimates say 1,000 people were killed in the area between 2001 and 2011 by Indian border security force BSF.[29]
Recent developments
In September 2011, the two countries signed a major accord on border demarcation to end the 4-decade old disputes over boundaries. This came to be known as the Tin Bigha corridor. India also granted 24-hour access to Bangladeshi citizens in the Tin Bigha Corridor. The agreement included exchange of adversely held enclaves, involving 51,000 people spread over 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India. The total land involved is over 24,000 acres.[30][31]
On 9 October 2011, Indian and Bangladeshi armies participated in Sampriti-II (Unity-II), a 14-day-long Joint military exercise at Sylhet to increase synergy between their forces.[32]
In 2012, Bangladesh allowed India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to ferry heavy machinery, turbines and cargo through Ashuganj for Palatana Power project in southern Tripura.[33]
From October 2013, India started exporting 500 megawatts of electricity a day to Bangladesh over a period of 35 years. A 125-kilometre Baharampur-Bheramara transmission line, 40 km of it in Bangladesh, connects the two substations. Bangladesh officials believe the export would greatly ease the national shortage once 500 MW flows into the national grid. The two country's Prime Ministers also unveiled the plaque of the 1,320-MW coal-fired Rampal power plant, a joint venture between the two countries.[34] The link is being seen as a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relationship and comes at a time when India is desperate to make up for its inability to deliver on two key pacts with Bangladesh: one on Teesta waters and the land boundary pact.[35]
From November 2013, A Wagah Border-like ceremony is being organized at Petrapole (in West Bengal, India) - Benapole (Bangladesh) border checkpoint. The ceremony which includes parades, march-past and lowering of the national flag of both the countries is now a daily routine, at sundown, on the eastern border.[36] The relations between the countries are definitely moving in positive direction.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Bangladesh in her first official overseas trip in June, 2014. On 7 May 2015 the Indian Parliament, in the presence of Bangladeshi diplomats, unanimously passed the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) as its 100th Constitutional amendment, thereby resolving all 68-year-old border disputes since the end of the British Raj. The bill was pending ratification since the 1974 Mujib-Indira accords.
In June 2014, during her first official overseas visit, Foreign Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj concluded various agreements to boost ties. They include:
- Easing of Visa regime to provide 5-year multiple entry visas to minors below 13 and elderly above 65.
- Proposal of a special economic zone in Bangladesh.
- Agreement to send back a fugitive accused of murder in India.
- Provide an additional 100 MW power from Tripura.
- Increase the frequency of Maitree Express and start buses between Dhaka and Guwahati and Shillong.
- Bangladesh allowed India to ferry food and grains to the landlocked Northeast India's using its territory and infrastructure.[33]
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Bangladesh during June 2015 as many as 22 agreements were signed by two sides. During the visit India extended a US$2 billion line of credit to Bangladesh & pledged US$5 billion worth of investments. As per the agreements, India's Reliance Power agreed to invest US$3 billion to set up a 3,000 MW LNG-based power plant (which is the single largest foreign investment ever made in Bangladesh). Adani Power will also be setting up a 1600 MW coal-fired power plant at a cost of US$1.5 billion.[37] The two countries signed a total of 22 agreements including the ones on maritime safety co-operation and curbing human trafficking and fake Indian currency. Modi also announced a line of credit of $2 billion to Bangladesh.[38]
At midnight on 31 July 2015, around 50,000 people became citizens of India or Bangladesh after living in limbo for decades. Ending a prolonged dispute, the two nations swapped 162 enclaves on the border region, allowing the people living there to stay or opt out to the other country. While 14,214 citizens of Bangladesh residing in 51 enclaves on the Indian side became Indians, a large number of people in the 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh preferred to stay with Bangladesh and just 979 opted to move to India. The total number of new Indian citizens will be 15,193.[29]
In November 2015, Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was critical of India's 2015 Nepal blockade, stating that "blockades hit at agreements like the BBIN".[39]
In 2018, the leaders of both the countries inaugurated the 130 km long Bangladesh-India Friendship pipeline to supply 4 lakh tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh. In September 2018, the Bangladesh cabinet approved the draft of a proposed agreement with India to allow it to use the Chittagong and Mongla sea ports for transporting goods to and from its land-locked northeastern states.[40][41]
In 2019, the Indian Parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),[42] following which Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan cancelled their trips to India.[43] Later, minister Shahriar Alam also cancelled his visit to India.[44] Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was critical of the CAA, describing it as "not necessary", but nevertheless affirmed CAA and the National Register of Citizens were "internal matters" of India.[45]
Defence relations
During Sheikh Hasina's four-day visit to New Delhi in April 2017, Bangladesh and India signed two defence agreements, the first such agreements between India and any of its neighbors. Under the agreements, the militaries of the two countries will conduct joint exercises and training. India will help Bangladesh set up manufacturing and service centres for defence platforms that both countries possess with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing in Bangladesh, and will also provide the Bangladesh military with expert training, and technical and logistic support. India also extended its first ever defence-related line of credit to a neighboring country, by providing Bangladesh with $500 million to purchase defence equipment.[46]
Also, the militaries of the two countries have played quite an extensive role in taking up common issues to enhance and conduct training programmes to deal with counter terrorism issues, natural disasters, ensure Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Reliefs (HADR). Very, recent in March 2019, Indian Army's current Chief of Staff, then as GOC-in-C of the Eastern Army Command, General M.M. Naravane visited to the Chief of Army Staff, of Bangladesh, General Aziz Ahmed to hold talks related to boosting of Intelligence sharing between the 2 countries along with developing other areas of defence cooperation. The visit has most importantly come up at the time, when Myanmar decided to take strong actions in order to act against the operating insurgent groups which were operating foiling up terrorist activities on both the sides of India and Myanmar, along with that had discussions on various options to enhance the conduction of Military exercises at a more rapid and strong scale.[47]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, that;
India would not like to impose anything which Bangladesh may find not suitable to its requirement. The bilateral document under consideration is aimed at institutionalizing the existing mechanism and streamlining the ongoing cooperation between both the countries", an official said, adding maritime security will be a key element in the partnership with the two countries facing similar challenges in the Bay of Bengal zone. A joint road-map for developing Blue Economy in Bay of Bengal is likely to be unveiled during Prime Minister Hasina's visit.[48]
Also, both Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh, had welcomed their initiatives for developing a closer effort to strengthen Maritime Security Partnerships and also they appreciated the Finalization of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to the establishment of a Coastal Surveillance Radar System in Bangladesh's Chittagong and Mongla Ports.[49]
Border security management
During the state visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in 2019, had a talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he appreciated the zero-tolerance policy of the government of Bangladesh's resolute effort towards ensuring peace, security and stability in the entire region and also it was recognized by both the leaders, that terrorism yet remains as one of the major significant threads to the levels of peace and stability of both the countries and the regions. However, the Prime Ministers of the two nations had entrusted and reiterated their faith and strong commitment in order to eliminate in all its forms of manifestations and stressed of the fact of avoiding terror. Also, both the Prime Ministers had referred to the successful discussions between the Home Ministers of both Bangladesh and India during the visit made by the Home Minister of Bangladesh to India in August 2019, whereby he agreed for a closer cooperation to fight against extremist radical groups, terrorist organisations, smuggling of arms, drugs and fake currency and also organized crime as a shared priority.[49]
Energy cooperation
India has recently introduced the concept of the Regional Power Trading System which will help various regions of the country in reducing the power deficit by transferring surplus power from another region. Under the Electricity Act 2003, the Indian companies could pool power in an exchange. A consumer would be free to buy it from anyone. This concept of power pool within India can also be enlarged to cover the neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal after the establishment of a sub-regional power pool and necessary inter-connections among these countries are put in place. This can ultimately form a regional power pool thereby generating a huge opportunity for power trading in the region.[50]
India is also looking to export electricity from its north-eastern region with potential to generate some 58,971 MW to its eastern States through Bangladesh. Bangladesh hopes to have access to Nepal and Bhutan's power through India. Bangladesh has formally requested a ‘power corridor’ to access the Bhutanese and Nepalese markets. It has agreed to allow India to transfer hydroelectricity from Assam to Bihar through its territory. The proposed meeting would attempt to remove irritants in project-related areas.[51] In 2016 deal between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was criticized. Bangladeshi critics accused the deal for setting a high price for the import of electricity, especially from Tripura. Equipment for the plant was sent through Bangladesh which waived most of the transit fees.[52] Adani Power said on 8 November 2017 its arm Adani Power (Jharkhand) has inked long-term pact with Bangladesh Power Development Board to supply electricity from its upcoming 1,600 MW plant at Godda in Jharkhand.
High level visits
President Ershad visited India in 1982.[53] Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India in 2010 to sign number of deals.[54] Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Dhaka in 2011 to sign number of deals.[55] Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh which was historic as land boundary agreement was solved in 2015.[56]
Economic activity
Bangladesh-India bilateral trade was over US$10 billion in 2018–19.[57]
Loans
In 2011, India approved a $750 million loan for developing Bangladesh infrastructure[58] and offered another $1 billion soft loan for infrastructure development in 2014.[59]
Scholarships
Every year 200 Bangladeshi students receive ICCR scholarships.[60] India has offered scholarships for meritorious Bangladeshi under and post graduate students and PhD researchers to undertake studies in traditional systems of medicines like Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy, according to Indian High Commission in Dhaka.[61] In 2017, 400 Indian medical students protested in Chittagong after they failed to register with the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council.[62][63]
Trade and investment
The trade is set to go at $10 billion by 2018 through ports.[64] Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh stood at US$6.6 billion in 2013–14 with India's exports at US$6.1 billion and imports from Bangladesh at US$462 million, representing more than double the value of US$2.7 billion five years ago.[65]
Bangladesh Cabinet has approved a revised trade deal with India under which the two nations would be able to use each other's land and water routes for sending goods to a third country, removing a long-standing barrier in regional trade. Under the deal India would also be able to send goods to Myanmar through Bangladesh. It incorporated a provision that the deal would be renewed automatically after five years if neither of the countries did not have any objection.[66]
COVID-19 pandemic cooperation
Bangladesh started mass COVID-19 vaccinations with India's Serum Institute Covishield vaccines on 7 February 2021.[67] Bangladesh procured 7 million doses and India had meant to gift a further 3.3 million doses.[68] Due to a second wave of COVID-19 in India, the vaccine export was halted. It hampered the vaccination program in Bangladesh.[69]
In April 2021, Bangladesh sent medicines and medical equipment to India following the deteriorating COVID-19 situation in India. The relief package consisted of approximately 10,000 vials of Remdesivir, (produced in Bangladesh by Beximco) anti-viral injections, oral anti-viral, 30,000 PPE kits, and several thousand zinc, calcium, vitamin C and other necessary tablets.[70] In May 2021, the government of Bangladesh sent a second consignment of COVID-19 relief consisting of antibiotics, paracetamol, protective equipment and hand sanitiser.[71]
See also
- Indians in Bangladesh
- Bangladeshis in India
- Foreign relations of Bangladesh
- Foreign relations of India
- Indo-Bangladeshi barrier
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
References
- ↑ "50yrs of Bangladesh-India Ties: Focus should be on trade, connectivity". The Daily Star. 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
We've a very special relationship with India. The relationship is the friendliest. The friendship of Bangladesh and India is in our hearts. The bonds of friendship will remain firm and long-lasting," she quoted Bangabandhu as saying in 1972.
- ↑ "India-Bangladesh ties 'special' and 'unique', not comparable with relationship with other countries: Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla". The Times of India. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
India doesn't look at what relationships are there with other countries when it celebrates the "uniqueness" of its "special relationship" with Bangladesh, he said on a day when President Kovind held wide-ranging talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart M Abdul Hamid.
- ↑ V. Pant, Harsh; Bhattacharjee, Joyeeta (29 July 2020). "The enduring logic of India-Bangladesh ties". ORF - Observer Research Foundation. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ↑ Serajul Quadir (6 June 2015). "India, Bangladesh sign historic land boundary agreement". Reuters India.
- ↑ "Impact of CAA on Bangladesh: Despite Dhaka's efforts, anti-India sentiment on the rise among its citizens". Firstpost. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ↑ "Violent protests spread in Bangladesh after Modi visit". www.aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ↑ "Bangladesh ministers cancel visit to India". The Indian Express. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ↑ "Three killed in Hefazat mayhem during hartal". Dhaka Tribune. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ↑ Latifee, Enamul Hafiz; Hossain, Md. Sajib (22 August 2019). "Forging stronger Indo-Bangla economic ties". The Independent. Independent Publications Limited. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- ↑ "Missions of India and Bangladesh observe Maitri Diwas on Bangladesh's 50th year of liberation". Connected to India. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ↑ "India-Bangladesh Relations" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs. Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
- ↑ David Lewis (2011). Bangladesh: Politics, Economy and Civil Society. Cambridge University Press. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-1-139-50257-3.
By 1974, Pakistan had recognised Bangladesh, and Mujib ... began participating in the Organization of the Islamic Conference. This, in turn, brought an end to the early positive phase of Bangladesh's relationship with India ... Saudi Arabia to recognise Bangladesh ... Zia's new emphasis on building a stronger Islamic identity in place of the earlier emphasis on an ethnolinguistic foundation. This shift also contributed to the creation of a more anti-Indian domestic political climate ... Ershad's government continued to build on the positive relation that Zia started building with the United States ... Relations with China also continued to remain close, but unlike Zia, Ershad did not make any effort to maintain friendly relations with the Soviet Union.
- ↑ M. Saleem Kidwai (2010). US Policy Towards the Muslim World: Focus on Post 9/11 Period. University Press of America. pp. 240–. ISBN 978-0-7618-5158-5.
- ↑ "Trade between India and Bangladesh". Business Standard. 17 December 2014.
- ↑ Nishit Dholabhai (21 July 2011). "24/7 access for Bangla via corridor". The Telegraph. Calcutta. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ↑ "Bangladeshi Immigrants Stoke Terror in India". Asia Sentinel. 15 May 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Haroon Habib (1 September 2008). "Delhi, Dhaka to strengthen border management". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ↑ "No transit deal with India: Bangladesh". The Times of India. 29 August 2011.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Fiona Samuels; Sanju Wagle (2011). "Population mobility and HIV and AIDS: review of laws, policies and treaties between Bangladesh, Nepal and India". Overseas Development Institute. London. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012.
- ↑ "India, Bangladesh to discuss maritime dispute". Thaindian News. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ↑ Jayanth Jacob (24 July 2011). "After gaffe, PM calls Sheikh Hasina, announces Bangladesh dates". The Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 "India/Bangladesh: Indiscriminate Killings, Abuse by Border Officers". Human Rights Watch. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ↑ "India's shoot-to-kill policy on the Bangladesh border". The Guardian. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ↑ "Khaleda Zia assures counter-terror co-operation to India". Yahoo News. Indo-Asian News Service. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Haroon Habib (1 October 2012). "BSF promises to bring down border casualties to zero". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ↑ "Bangladeshi dies as BSF throws stones". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 25 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ↑ "WB: Video showing BSF torture surfaces". IBN Live. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.Template:Dead Youtube links
- ↑ "Bangladesh group hacks BSF website to 'avenge border killings'". The Times of India. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 "India and Bangladesh historic border deal gives citizenship to 50,000 people". IBTimes UK. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ↑ Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (15 December 2021). "India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement 2015" (PDF). Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ↑ Azmeary Ferdoush (15 December 2021). "India and Bangladesh: Exchanging border enclaves & (re-)connecting with new citizens". Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ↑ "Bangladesh-India joint military exercise begins". Zee News. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Bangladesh allows transit of Foodgrain to Northeast Indian States". Bihar Prabha News. Indo-Asian News Service. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
- ↑ Haroon Habib (6 October 2013). "India begins power export to Bangladesh". The Hindu. Chennai.
- ↑ "India-Bangladesh power transmission link open". The Indian Express. 6 October 2013.
- ↑ Abhishek Law. "Wagah-like retreat ceremony on India-Bangladesh border". The Hindu Business Line.
- ↑ Haroon Habib (7 June 2015). "Adani, Reliance sign deals for power generation in Bangladesh". The Hindu.
- ↑ "Modi announces $2-bn credit to Bangladesh". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ↑ Kallol Bhattacherjee. "Bangladesh Minister pitches for end to Nepal blockade". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ↑ "PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina inaugurate India-Bangladesh oil pipeline construction". India Today.
- ↑ "Cabinet approves use of Bangladesh ports for Indian shipments to North-East". The Financial Express. 17 September 2018.
- ↑ Helen Regan, Swati Gupta and Omar Khan. "India passes controversial citizenship bill that excludes Muslims". CNN. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ↑ "Bangladesh ministers cancel visit to India". The Indian Express. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ↑ Roche, Elizabeth (11 January 2020). "Bangladesh foreign minister cancels visit to India". mint. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ↑ "PM on CAA, NRC: Don't understand why India did this". Dhaka Tribune. 19 January 2020.
- ↑ "India to sign two major defence deals with Bangladesh". The Economic Times. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ↑ "Top Indian military officer visits Bangladesh, discusses steps to boost defence ties". The Week Magazine. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ↑ Roy Chowdhury, Dipanjan (12 July 2018). "India to sign two major defence deals with Bangladesh". The Economic Times, Defence. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 "India-Bangladesh Joint Statement during Official Visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ↑ "India-Bangladesh Energy Cooperation: Historic Newer Trends".
- ↑ "Multilateral dialogue on energy cooperation soon: Bangladesh FM". The Hindu Business Line.
- ↑ "The devils in the details". The Daily Star. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ↑ "Lt-General Ershad's India visit opens 'new chapter' in Indo-Bangladesh relations : NEIGHBOURS". India Today.
- ↑ "India-Bangladesh Joint Statement, January 2010".
- ↑ "Sorry for the inconvenience".
- ↑ "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day Bangladesh visit". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 5 June 2015.
- ↑ India plans to enhance trade with Bangladesh, Economic Times, July 2020.
- ↑ Serajul Islam Quadir (4 September 2011). "India approves $750 mln infrastructure loan for Bangladesh". Reuters.
- ↑ "India's $1b loan offer". The Daily Star.
- ↑ "Indian scholarships open for 2015-2016". bdnews24.com.
- ↑ "India offers scholarships for Bangladeshi students for higher studies". The Independent. Dhaka.
- ↑ "Despite Sushma Swaraj's assurance, Indian students in Bangladesh continue protests". hindustantimes.com/. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ↑ "Bangladesh: Indian students protest as medical board fails to register them". hindustantimes.com/. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ↑ "India-Bangladesh trade may double by 2018". The Daily Star.
- ↑ "India-Bangladesh trade may almost double to $10 billion by 2018: CII". The Economic Times.
- ↑ "Bangladesh Cabinet approves revised trade agreement with India". The Economic Times.
- ↑ Paul, Ruma (7 February 2021). "'The wait is over': Bangladesh begins COVID-19 vaccinations". Reuters. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ↑ "'Uncertainty of vaccine availability must be cleared immediately". Prothom Alo. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ↑ "Bangladesh halts administering 1st dose of COVID jabs". Anadolu Agency. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ↑ "COVID-19: Bangladesh offers emergency medical supplies to India". Daily Star. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ↑ "Bangladesh sends second consignment of medicines to India". The Hindu. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
Further reading
- Malone, David M., C. Raja Mohan, and Srinath Raghavan, eds. The Oxford handbook of Indian foreign policy (2015) excerpt pp 384–397.
External links
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