Putting India Bangladesh relations in fast track

WITH the assumption of office as the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has put India's relations with its immediate neighbours as his foreign policy focus area. To take this policy forward on the 22nd of June the External Affairs Minister chaired a meeting of the Heads of the Mission (HoM) from neighbouring countries including China, Myanmar, Iran and Central Asian countries where reportedly issues concerning India's relations with its neighbours were discussed and effort was made to identify policy priorities which would require government's intervention. In this context, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj scheduled to visit Bangladesh which is her 'first stand-alone visit abroad as foreign minister' only proves the new NDA government's engagement with neighbouring countries is a priority. Though this visit is a part of 'good will visit' on the invitation of her counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali it will also serve to appraise herself on the state of Indo-Bangladesh relations.
Since 2007, India Bangladesh relations have witnessed significant forward movement which gained momentum after Awami League was voted to power in December 2008 elections. Both the countries have signed MoU containing 51 issues of mutual concerns and commitment of the two neighbours to address them. While the bilateral relations received a setback when the Teesta agreement could not be signed and as a result Dhaka could not provide must anticipated transit to the North Eastern states through Bangladesh. While taking the challenges of bilateral relations in its stride both the countries have continued to work without acrimony. In the meanwhile, as a part of engaging the opposition political parties, India also invited General Ershad and Begum Khaleda Zia the then leader of opposition who visited New Delhi in August and October 2012 respectively. Begum Zia was given a red carpet welcome in Delhi and she held important meetings with the Indian Prime Minister, President and also the then leader of Opposition Ms Sushma Swaraj and other senior leaders from the BJP. Therefore the NDA regime and especially the Minister for External Affairs do share personal warmth with various leaders of political parties' in Bangladesh. Moreover, except Jammat Islami, India continues to keep the opposition political parties of various ideological hues engaged in Bangladesh. In fact as a part of its effort to have a peaceful transition of power in Dhaka it persuaded all the political parties to participate in the January 5th election which took place as per the constitution of Bangladesh. India's effort was evident from the fact that Indian High commissioner met Begum Zia both before and after the elections. Keeping this tradition of engaging the opposition in mind, one hopes EAM would meet Begum Khaleda Zia even though she is no more the leader of opposition in Bangladesh. Such engagement would be in the interest of India which has tried to develop bipartisan relations with the two major political parties in Bangladesh.
Though this is a goodwill visit; it is likely that the issues of Teesta and the need to ratify the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) would come up for discussion. BJP, which initially was supportive of the Land Boundary Agreement and defended it as being in national interest later refused to back it keeping election in mind. However, now since it is in power it needs to take a pragmatic view keeping India's security need in mind. A well-defined and regulated border with Bangladesh is in India's interest. Enclaves, those are located deep inside Bangladesh over which India enjoys sovereignty only notionally, needs to be exchanged with the Bangladesh enclaves that are within India. For a long time the LBA could not be ratified because a census of people staying in these enclaves could not be held due to opposition from Dhaka. In July 2011, the Joint Boundary Working Group held joint census in 4 districts in Bangladesh and 2 districts in India where these 162 enclaves are located. After the Joint Survey on Adversely Possessed Lands and a Joint Headcount in the enclaves strip map was signed, resolving the 6.1 kilometer of disputed border. A protocol to the LBA was signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit. However, LBA ratification is pending before the Indian Parliament.
Sharing of Teesta water would remain another issue that would have significant impact on Indo-Bangladesh relations which needs to be addressed urgently. Already Bhutan, India and Bangladesh (referred to as BIB initiative) are cooperating to develop and manage water resources and hydropower from Brahmaputra. Similarly Nepal, India and Bangladesh have formed a committee to exploit water resources and hydropower potential of the Ganges basis. They have formed a technical advisory committee to oversee this where the members would be drawn from the departments of water sources, power and Ministry of External Affairs belonging to all the three countries. Given the emphasis that India is placing on its neighbourhood and regional cooperation, these cooperations at the sub-regional level would surely help foster better relations.
There are proposal to provide long term multiple entry visa under the age of 18 and above the age of 65. India has already agreed to hand over Nur Hossain allegedly responsible for killing seven people in Narayanganj under the extradition Treaty that was signed between the two countries. Apart from this, some of the projects that are being implemented through the Line of Credit that was extended to Bangladesh has been delayed, especially the execution of Akhura-Agartalarail link and Ashuganj port due to procedural problems.  However, India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs in its 2012-13 report has recommended that “International commitments must be respected and that the Government must ensure timely release of funds for US$ 200 million to Bangladesh.” In April this year Dhaka agreed to provide 6000 mw Indian power transmission line through Rangia Raota in Assam to Borakpur in Bihar through Boro Pukuria in northwestern Dinajpur in Bangladesh and in return India has agreed to provide 130mw additional power. There are also talks of establishing joint mechanism between India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal to cooperate on power sector.
All these indicate that India and Bangladesh relations are on the fast track. To augment their bilateral relations India is keen to establish political, economic and energy connectivity between the two countries. There is now strong political will to improve relations and take it to newer height. BJP, which was opposed to some of the issues earlier, may see them on a new perspective given Prime Minister Modi's thrust on consolidating India regional policy and the linkage it provides to India's economic development and security which remains a priority if India is to emerge as a global player.

The writer is a Research Fellow, IDSA.