India-Bangladesh Relations: State Visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: International Relations: India-Bangladesh Relations
- •Source: PIB*
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh visited India for 2-day state visit.
Key Highlights of the Bilateral Meet:
Key Highlights | Description
Promotion of Shared Vision | Peace, prosperity, and development focusing on connectivity, commerce, and collaboration.
Digital and Green Partnership | Collaboration on digital and green technologies, joint development of a small satellite.
Trade and Investment | Strengthening trade links, CEPA negotiations, and operationalizing SEZs in Bangladesh.
Power and Energy Collaboration | Intra-regional electricity trade and high-capacity grid interconnections.
Regional and Global Cooperation | Anchoring regional integration under BIMSTEC, SAARC, and IORA.
Cross-Border Travel | E-Medical Visa facilities for Bangladeshi citizens, new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur.
Water Resource Management | Renewing Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, managing Teesta River.
BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement | Operationalization for transit facilities to Nepal and Bhutan.
Indo-Pacific Cooperation | Co-leading the ‘Disaster Risk Reduction and Management’ pillar of IPOI.
Dimensions of India-Bangladesh Relations:
Dimensions | Description
Historical Ties | India and Bangladesh share a deep-rooted relationship marked by historical ties and growing cooperation across multiple fronts. Initially forged during the 1971 Liberation War, bilateral relations have evolved positively under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership since 1996, culminating in significant agreements such as the Ganga water-sharing treaty
Economic Cooperation | Bilateral trade growth, reaching USD 14 billion in 2023-24. Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia and India is the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh in Asia. Joint feasibility study for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
Infrastructure | Resolved Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and maritime disputes. Inauguration of Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link. BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity. Matarbari Port development connecting Dhaka and Northeast India.
Energy | Bangladesh’s electricity imports from India. Cooperation in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.
India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will transport one million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel from Siliguri, West Bengal, to Parbatipur, Dinajpur district, Bangladesh.
Defence Cooperation | Shared border of 4096.7 km. Joint military exercises (Army – Exercise Sampriti, Navy – Exercise Bongo Sagar).
Multilateral Cooperation | Engagement in SAARC, BIMSTEC, and IORA forums.
According to the India Tourism Statistics Report 2022 of the Ministry of Tourism, Bangladesh has been the second-largest tourist-generating market for India in the year 2021.
Issues between the two countries:
• Illegal Migration: Concerns over illegal migration from Bangladesh to India, impacting resources and security, including Rohingya refugees and implications of India’s National Register of Citizens (NRC).
• Sharing of Transboundary River Waters: Unresolved treaties for major rivers like Teesta and Feni despite sharing 54 rivers, impacting water management and bilateral relations.
• Growing Chinese Influence in Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), raises concerns for India’s regional influence and strategic interests.
• Drug Smuggling & Trafficking: Challenges with cross-border drug smuggling, human trafficking (especially women and children), and wildlife poaching, affecting both countries’ security and stability.
Way forward and Conclusion:
Efforts to strengthen India-Bangladesh relations should focus on establishing joint task forces to combat cross-border drug smuggling and human trafficking effectively. Utilizing shared intelligence and coordinated operations can disrupt illegal networks. Implementing smart border management solutions, leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics will enhance security and efficiency. Furthermore, creating a digital connectivity corridor with high-speed internet and digital services will spur trade, collaboration, and technological exchange between the two nations.
Insta Links:
• India-Bangladesh relations
Mains Links:
Analyse 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. (USPC 2018)
Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationships with its neighbours. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. (UPSC 2015)
Prelims Links:
With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2017)
• The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.
• River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.
• River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)