March 27, 2021
2 mins read

LITE VIEW: Making India-Bangladesh ties weather-proof

India’s socio-political, cultural and historic ties with Bangladesh is inextricably linked. Indian’s have sacrificed their blood fighting along with Bangladeshis to liberate the country from an oppressive colonial power 50 years ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh — his first after Covid-19 outbreak across the world — is high on both goodwill and symbolism. His visit to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s mausoleum — a first by any Indian PM — besides paying respects to Bangabandhu, is also a celebration of shared values of human freedom, global political order and democracy.

Also Read – Modi made us glorified with his presence: Hasina

Both New Delhi and Dhaka are on the cusp of history with political leadership on both sides agreeing on the realpolitik of commerce, strategic interests and mutual benefit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspecting the Guard of Honour, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms Sheikh Hasina is also seen. (PIB)

Bangladesh isn’t an impoverished, cyclone-ravaged country anymore. With Bangladesh’s return to democracy in 1991, relations have gone through highs and lows. However, the 12-year rule of Sheikh Hasina has seen the successful economic transformation, macroeconomic stability, expansion of social security. In fact, according to an IMF Report, the South Asian neighbour’s per capita income is expected to remain on a par with India till 2025.

This also indicates that a lot is at stake for Bangladesh and India. As both economies grow, there is a lot to gain from well-structured economic and political cooperation.

Also Read – Modi begins Bangladesh tour with goodwill message

Multilateral decisions take time and efforts to fructify, but their success rests on the bedrock of goodwill. For India, Bangladesh is the threshold of India’s calculus of trans-Asian highways that will link India to Vietnam by road and could become an economic engine for growth in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Dhaka is also India’s access point to develop northeastern states. The road map for both the plans is on the anvil.

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage at the National Martyr’s Memorial, Savar, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021. (PIB)

Since 2014, bilateral relationship with Dhaka has achieved over half a dozen milestones. The Land Boundary Agreement is considered a major pact. Now, five out of six pre-1965 rail links have been restored, besides connecting the two countries through Maitree Bridge on the Feni river. Several pacts to revive inland water and trade transit has also been inked.

Bangladesh is now India’s biggest trading partner in South Asia with exports to Bangladesh in FY 2018-19 at $9.21 billion at imports at $1.04 billion. Bangladeshis tourists to India outnumbered all tourist arrivals from Western Europe in 2017.

However, to make recent gains between the two neighbours irreversible needs both the countries to work together on key strategic areas.

Also Read – Bangladesh sees violent anti-Modi protests
Also Read – Bangladesh thanks India for providing vaccines

Previous Story

Pak desperate to block extradition of key Dawood aide

Next Story

Hundreds march against anti-Asian racism in Auckland

Latest from -Top News

Hasina’s Defiant Words Before Ouster

Reportedly before leaving Hasina wanted to record a farewell speech to be aired on television, but military officials declined….reports Asian Lite News Following a violent student uprising last year, the Bangladeshi military

FS Misri in US to Boost Tech, Trade Ties

The meeting, held in Washington, focused on strengthening existing frameworks and building momentum on key tech and trade initiatives…reports Asian Lite News Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday (India time) met with

Activists Targeted Again in Balochistan

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Tuesday condemned the enforced disappearance of Baloch leader Ghani Baloch, blaming Pakistan’s Law Enforcement Agencies and Frontier Corps….reports Asian Lite News The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC),

Islamabad-Ankara-Baku Axis Sharpens Against India

Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have openly expressed solidarity with Pakistan and backed Islamabad in its military standoff with India, this month….reports Asian Lite News The evolving alliance between Islamabad, Ankara, and Baku

India Targets Pak Terror Ties in Guyana

The delegation met the Guyanese President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who had hosted a dinner to celebrate friendship and shared aspirations between the two nations…reports Asian Lite News Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, currently
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Rahul seeks ‘aggressive’ approach to solving Punjab’s drug menace

Rahul Gandhi said immediately after the INDIA bloc government takes

ITBP jawans unfurl Tricolour at icy height in Himalayas on R-Day

The jawans unfurled the national flag at last Indian village