India Bangladesh Bilateral Relationship

Context

Recently the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is on a two-day visit to India.

PM Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India

• The Prime Minister of Bangladesh is on a two-day visit to India.
• This will be the primary incoming bilateral State visit by a foreign chief after the formation of the new government following the Lok Sabha elections.
• Sheikh Hasina was one of the seven leaders from India’s neighborhood who attended the swearing-in rite at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9.
• During the bilateral meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina, the Teesta water dispute is anticipated to be discussed.

Controversy at the Teesta Water Dispute

• Background:

• • • The Teesta River originates inside the Pauhunri mountain of Sikkim, flows via West Bengal, and enters Bangladesh, becoming a member of the Brahmaputra.
    • It is the second largest river in West Bengal after the Ganga, making it critical for both West Bengal and Bangladesh.

• Historical Context:

• • • India and Bangladesh had been negotiating the sharing of Teesta waters since the early 1980s.
    • A water-sharing settlement was signed in 2011 at some point during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh. However, it was halted due to closing-minute objections by West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

• Recent Developments:

• • • In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dhaka, accompanied by Mamata Banerjee, and expressed self belief in locating a truthful answer.
    • Despite efforts, the issue remains unresolved. In a current interview, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh emphasised the need for India to be more accommodating to remedy the dispute.

• Current Status:

• • Bangladesh seeks an equitable share of the Teesta waters to make sure sufficient water flow during the dry season.
  • India’s internal political dynamics, specially the stance of the West Bengal authorities, play a great role in the negotiations.
  • Importance of Teesta Waters:
  • The Teesta River is essential for irrigation and water supply in both nations.
  • Sheikh Hasina recently urged India to show extra flexibility to clear up the difficulty.

About 

• India and Bangladesh share bonds of records, language, way of life, and multitude of other commonalities.

Historical Ties

• India’s courting with Bangladesh dates again to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War whilst India supplied vital army and material help to assist Bangladesh gain independence from Pakistan.
• However, the relationship deteriorated in the mid-11970s due to boundary disputes, insurgency, and water-sharing issues, especially after military regimes took control in Bangladesh.
• Stability in bilateral relations was restored whilst Sheikh Hasina became Prime Minister in 1996, leading to the signing of the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty.
• Since then, India and Bangladesh have strengthened their cooperation in numerous sectors, along with trade, electricity, infrastructure, connectivity, and protection.

Economic and Commercial Ties

• Bangladesh is India’s largest trade companion in South Asia, with bilateral trade accomplishing USD 15.9 billion in FY 2022-23.
• Bangladesh exports about USD 2 billion to India annually.
• In 2022, both countries finished a joint feasibility study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• This agreement is vital as Bangladesh will lose its Least Developed Country (LDC) reputation after 2026, on the way to impact its duty-free and quota-free access to Indian markets.
  • Consequently, Bangladesh ambitions to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.

Power and Energy

• Bangladesh imports 1160 MW of energy from India.
• Projects including the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant and India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline are key initiatives.
• India also supports Bangladesh’s power sector through several partnerships.

Development Partnership

• India has extended four Lines of Credit to Bangladesh accounting USD 8 billion for infrastructure development.
• High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) are a huge part of India’s help, that specialize in human aid development and potential constructing.

Cultural Cooperation

• Cultural cooperations are facilitated by the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre and Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka.
• Programs in arts, dance, and language sell human beings-to-humans contacts.
• The Bangladesh Youth Delegation application attracts younger expertise to visit India.

Source: The HINDU

Mains PYQ

• Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (2018)

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