Context: Economic Momentum – India vs Bangladesh: Recent data from the IMF revealed that Bangladesh continues to have higher per capita GDP when compared to India till 2022.

Comparative Geography: The India Vs Bangladesh Border Landscape

• Land Boundary: The India-Bangladesh border is the fifth-longest land border in the world, at 4,096 kilometres.
• States Sharing Border with Bangladesh: West Bengal (2,217 km), Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Mizoram (318 km), and Assam (262 km).
• Transboundary River Systems: India vs Bangladesh Shared Hydrological Landscape
  • Ganges: It originates in the Himalayas and flows through India and Bangladesh before meeting the Bay of Bengal.
  • Brahmaputra: It originates in Tibet and flows through India and Bangladesh before meeting the Ganges in Bangladesh.
  • Meghna: It is formed by the confluence of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers, which both flow from India.
  • Feni: It flows through the Indian state of Tripura and the Bangladeshi district of Feni. Other rivers:
  • Other rivers that pass through the India-Bangladesh border include the Mahananda, Torsa, Dharla, and Atrai.

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Historical Context – India vs Bangladesh: India’s Role in the Emergence of Bangladesh as a Nation

• Partition of India: After the partition of India in 1947, the region became East Pakistan, one of two wings of the newly formed nation of Pakistan.
• Political Imbalance: In the 1950s, Pakistan was dominated by a military-bureaucratic oligarchy in West Pakistan, leaving the Bengalis in East Pakistan with little political representation.
• 1970 General Elections: In the 1970 general elections, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League in East Pakistan won a landslide victory, giving them a clear majority in the Pakistani National Assembly.
• West Pakistan’s Resistance: West Pakistan was unwilling to allow an East Pakistani leader to rule the country, leading to a political crisis.
• Cultural Differences: The conflict was exacerbated by language and cultural differences between East and West Pakistan.
• Operation Searchlight: On March 26, 1971, West Pakistan initiated “Operation Searchlight,” a brutal military crackdown in East Pakistan, leading to widespread suffering and a flood of refugees into India.
• Indian Support: India provided assistance to the refugees and supported the Bangladeshi guerilla resistance movement, the Mukti Bahini.
• Defeat of Pakistani Military: The Indian Army, along with the Mukti Bahini, defeated the Pakistani forces.
• Emergence of Bangladesh: This intervention, lasting just 13 days, brought an end to the war and paved the way for the birth of the independent nation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.
• Recognition by India: India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as an independent state and established diplomatic relations immediately after its independence in 1971.

Must Read Article – Sam Manekshaw: Biography, Role in 1971 War, Legacy of Leadership

Key Areas of Cooperation – India Vs Bangladesh:

India Vs Bangladesh – Major Challenges in Relation 

• India vs Bangladesh – Teesta Water Issue: Bangladesh has proposed a 50:50 water-sharing agreement, while India has proposed a 42:58 water-sharing agreement.
  • India’s concerns about the impact on its own water supply have hindered the signing of a treaty.
• China’s Influence: India views Bangladesh’s proximity to China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative as a potential threat to its own regional influence.
  • China’s investment in Bangladesh has increased by over 500% in the past five years.
• India Vs Bangladesh – Illegal Migration and Insurgency: The porous border between the two countries has led to a significant influx of illegal migrants, posing socio-economic and security challenges for India.
  • According to the Indian government, there are over 20 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living in India.
• Rohingya Crisis: India’s handling of the Rohingya refugee crisis has been a point of contention.
  • The Rohingya are a Muslim minority in Myanmar, which is a predominantly Buddhist country.
• Drug Smuggling and Trafficking: Cross-border drug smuggling and human trafficking are significant challenges that require joint efforts to combat.
  • According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Bangladesh is a major transit point for drugs smuggled from Myanmar to India.
• Border Disputes: There are over 100 unresolved border disputes between India and Bangladesh. These disputes have led to skirmishes and violence between the two countries.
• Public Discontentment: Various issues that have led to public discontentment in Bangladesh, including market access for Indian energy companies, border restrictions, unresolved agreements like the Teesta treaty, and limited market access for Bangladeshi companies and TV channels.

India Vs Bangladesh – Pathway to Strengthen Cooperation

1. Joint Task Forces and Smart Border Management: India vs Bangladesh Cooperation 

• • Implementation and Collaboration: Both countries should commit to establishing joint task forces and smart border management solutions. Regular meetings between law enforcement agencies can ensure shared intelligence and coordinated operations.
  • Investment in Technology: Invest in advanced technologies like AI, data analytics, and surveillance systems to monitor and secure the borders effectively.
  • Capacity Building: Provide training and resources to border security personnel to enhance their skills in combating drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other illegal activities.

2. Digital Connectivity Corridor: India vs Bangladesh digital Connectivity 

• • Infrastructure Development: Invest in building the necessary infrastructure for high-speed internet connectivity, focusing on urban as well as rural areas.
  • Promotion of E-commerce: Provide support to small businesses and entrepreneurs to facilitate cross-border e-commerce, promoting economic growth on both sides.
  • Cybersecurity Cooperation: Collaborate on cybersecurity measures to ensure the safety and privacy of digital transactions and data exchange.

3. Addressing Specific Bilateral Issues:

• • Teesta River Water Dispute: Both countries should engage in diplomatic talks mediated by neutral parties to reach a fair and mutually acceptable agreement on Teesta river water sharing.
  • Connectivity: Strengthen cooperation in coastal, road, rail, and inland waterways connectivity to facilitate easier movement of goods and people between the two countries.
  • Energy Security: Collaborate on renewable energy projects, promoting the use of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to achieve energy self-sufficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
  • Friendship Pipeline: Expedite the construction and operation of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, ensuring a smooth flow of energy resources.

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4. Economic Partnership and Countering Influence:

• • Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): Both countries should expedite CEPA negotiations, reducing trade barriers and promoting investment, leading to mutual economic growth.
  • Counterbalancing China: Collaborate on development projects and provide financial and technical assistance to strengthen Bangladesh’s infrastructure and economy, countering China’s influence effectively.

5. Regular Diplomatic Engagements:

• • High-level Talks: Organise regular high-level talks between leaders of both nations to discuss progress, address concerns, and reinforce mutual trust.
  • Track II Diplomacy: Encourage think tanks, academics, and civil society organisations to engage in dialogues, generating fresh ideas and perspectives for enhancing bilateral cooperation.