What could be a more momentous event for Indo-Bangla relations than the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh whose birth is historically related to India?

India attached high importance to the celebrations, and this has been reflected through Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. It was his first foreign visit in 15 months, and it came amid a growing threat of Covid-19 infections.

The celebrations, which also marked 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, saw the inauguration of Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition that showcased the extraordinary lives and legacies of the two iconic leaders who relentlessly fought for democracy, nonviolence and liberation from the occupational or colonial powers.

Both Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made sacrifices for the greater interest of the people and for establishing equality for all irrespective of caste, creed and ethnicity.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke her feelings in expressing gratitude to India that sheltered one crore refugees from Bangladesh in 1971. India's military assisted the Mujki Bahini in fighting the Pakistan occupation forces by providing arms and training to the freedom fighters. 

The years following the tragic assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975 saw the relations between the two neighbours becoming cold.

However, the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh warmed up the relations, especially after the Awami League's return to power in 1996.

Later, the two countries saw further improvement of relations through the resolution of a number of major disputes including that of land and maritime boundary. Bangladesh took the important step to help India ensure security in its Northeast. Modi expressed deep gratitude to Hasina for all the actions in improving Bangladesh-India relations.

Now, the two countries have embarked on a new journey to have better connectivity between them and beyond. While India has a big interest in connecting its Northeast to the rest of the country via road, rail, water and seaways, Bangladesh also can gain immensely from this.

 Bangladesh is eagerly seeking greater access to Indian territory to get linked to Nepal and Bhutan for expanding trade and importing hydroelectricity. Bangladesh also seeks to join the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project to be connected to Southeast Asia by road. Regional connectivity has come up prominently in the speeches of the two leaders at the golden jubilee celebrations and also bilateral talks.

At Saturday's bilateral meeting, both the leaders spoke of trade barrier removal, exchange programmes involving entrepreneurs and cultural activists, training for youths, and cooperation in the areas of IT and sports.

Modi's meeting with young entrepreneurs and cultural groups speak of the importance on such exchanges between the two countries that share history, culture and traditions.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, former ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad said, "Narendra Modi's visit is very significant this time. It reflects the deep-rooted relations between the two countries. It is also a time for renewal of our commitments and further consolidation of our relations."

The main purpose of the Indian premier's visit was celebrations, not bilateral issues. However, the two premiers brought up important issues, including the water-sharing of the Teesta and other common rivers, border killings and trade barriers that often raise concern in public mind.

"We have a very strong friendship, and if we can strengthen it, we can solve any issues we have," said Faiz, also former chairman of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.

Referring to a recent World Bank report saying the national income of both the countries can double if there is seamless connectivity between them, former foreign secretary Shahidul Haque noted that integration is very critical, not only between the two countries but also in the entire South Asia region. Though there had been obstacles in the past, that integration is happening now.

"This integration is very natural and has economic value." The historic relations between the two countries got a new impetus through Modi's visit, he observed.

Shahidul, also senior fellow at North South University, said trade and people-to-people connectivity can see a real boost once the two countries establish seamless connectivity.

Both countries can jointly set up universities for providing world-class education. Such people-level initiatives are working well in Europe, he said.

"Our relationship needs to be at people's level now, not only at the government level," he added.

Joyeeta Bhattacharjee, senior fellow at Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation's Neighbourhood Regional Studies Initiative, said the Indians were excited about Modi's visit to Bangladesh to join the celebrations of the golden jubilee and Mujib Borsho.

"This shows the real bond and collaboration between the two countries. I think this is going to help forge a new level of partnership."

Both the premiers also spoke of a peaceful and stable South Asia, Joyeeta said.

Asked how the two countries could go about the pending issues, she said those can be settled when the understanding is deep, and that is happening now.

Modi's visit to Orakandi and his meeting Matua community have been linked by some to the elections in West Bengal that is home to a large number of members of the community.

Asked, Joyeeta said this reflects that the relations are not only at the state level, but also at people's level, and this is actually very important.

In the future, Orakandi in Gopalganj or Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple in Satkhira could become popular places of pilgrimage among a large number of Indians as well. That's how people-to-people connectivity can grow, she said.

Munshi Faiz said top leaders may visit such iconic places and it should not be interpreted wrongly or be seen from a narrow perspective.

About street protests over Modi's visit, he said Modi visited Bangladesh as a state guest representing India, not as an individual. It was unwarranted that some groups raised a hue and cry over the visit.