India and Bangladesh | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Relation between India and Bangladesh

Overview of Relations between India and Bangladesh:

• In 1971, both India and Bangladesh were strong supporters of the Bangladesh Liberation War.
• In the mid-1970s, the development of close connections between Bangladesh with Islamic nations led to bad relations with India.
• The participation of Bangladesh in the Organization of the Islamic Conference majorly focused on the Islamic identity irrespective of the country’s linguistics and cultural ties.
• The relations between India and Bangladesh faced many cold war alliances in the 1980s which impacted back to previous bilateral relations.
• Both nations created a strong pact with the commencement of Economic liberalization in South Asia.
• The two nations India and Bangladesh are the largest trading partners and close joint ventures in anti-terrorism.

History of India and Bangladesh Relationship

• India and Bangladesh have built a strong connection over the years since Bangladesh was recognized as an independent country by India and Bhutan on December 6, 1971.
• The bond between India and Bangladesh is evident in various aspects such as social, cultural, economic, and civil ties.
• Despite differences, both countries share a common history of heritage, ethnolinguistics, love for music, arts, and literature, which has unified them over the years.

Latest updates on the India and Bangladesh Relationship

Recent Developments in India-Bangladesh Relations

• In 2021, India and Bangladesh celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, coinciding with the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation in Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing two million doses of Covishield vaccines, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
• December 6th was designated as "Matri Diwas" or "Friendship Day" to commemorate the establishment of bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh in 1971.
• A memorial was inaugurated in Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, to honor Indian martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
• A new link road between Mujibnagar and Nadia was established, named "Shadhinota Shorok," to strengthen historical ties.
• During a visit to Bangladesh in March 2021, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed several treaties and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at promoting the welfare of both countries.

India Bangladesh Summit 2020

In 2020, India and Bangladesh had discussions about their bilateral relations and shared views on various regional and international issues. The Prime Minister of India was invited to Bangladesh to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During this summit, several agreements and areas of cooperation were highlighted:

• Signing of bilateral documents and launching of projects.
• Health sector collaboration.
• Cooperation in culture.
• Cooperation in security and border management.
• Partnership in trade for mutual progress.
• Connection of welfare initiatives.

Agreements/MOUs signed between India and Bangladesh

During the virtual summit in 2020, India and Bangladesh signed several important agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at enhancing cooperation and development between the two countries. Here’s a list of the key agreements reached:

• Framework of Understanding on Hydrocarbon Cooperation: Aimed at fostering collaboration in the hydrocarbon sector.
• Land Boundary Matters: Agreed on protocols related to land boundary demarcation.
• MOUs for Sustainable Energy: Focused on cooperation in sustainable energy initiatives.
• High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP): Agreement to work together on community development projects.
• Protocol for Elephant Conservation: Established guidelines for the conservation of elephants.
• MOUs for Agricultural Cooperation: Agreed to collaborate on various agricultural initiatives.
• Wastage Improvement Cooperation: Focused on improving waste management practices.

River Water Dispute Between India and Bangladesh

India-Bangladesh Relations and Ganga River Water Dispute

• India and Bangladesh enjoy a profitable relationship in various aspects.
• However, they have faced a long-standing setback due to a dispute over sharing Ganga river water.
• The main conflict arises from the diversion of the Ganges from the Farakka Barrage to the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river.
• Efforts to resolve this dispute have included two short-term agreements, but a lasting solution is still needed.

Defence Relation Between India and Bangladesh

Defence Agreements between India and Bangladesh

• For the first time, India and Bangladesh have established defence agreements, which were signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in April 2017.
• The agreements facilitate joint training and exercises for the armed forces of both countries.
• They also include provisions for India to assist Bangladesh in manufacturing defence equipment and setting up service centres, with the aim of enhancing self-sufficiency in defence.
• The collaboration focuses on providing high-quality technical and logistical training to the militaries of both nations.
• The armed forces of India and Bangladesh play a crucial role in addressing common challenges related to defence training, including disaster response and counter-terrorism efforts.

Trade Relations Between India and Bangladesh

Modified Trade Strategy between India and Bangladesh

• India and Bangladesh have established a new trade strategy that allows both countries to send goods to a third country using each other's transportation routes.
• This arrangement has been approved by the Bangladesh cabinet.
• Under this deal, India can also import or export goods to Myanmar using land or water routes through Bangladesh.
• The strategy is designed to be integrated and can be automatically amended after five years if both nations agree, without any objections.

Economic Relations Between India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh: Strong Trade Partners in South Asia

• India and Bangladesh share a robust trading relationship, with significant growth over the past decade.
• Reports from 2018-19 indicate that Bangladesh's trade has tripled and surpassed $1 billion.
• In the fiscal year 2019-2020, India imported $1.26 billion and exported $8.2 billion to Bangladesh.
• Numerous agreements have been signed to enhance bilateral trade, benefiting the economies of both countries.

Cooperation in Connectivity Between India and Bangladesh

• India and Bangladesh are committed to improving connectivity for a better future, with plans for a new railway link to facilitate trade.
• Both countries rely on connectivity to promote trade within South Asia.
• The Indo-Pacific strategy includes enhanced links through railways, shipping, and air transport.

Partnership on Multilateral Forums between India and Bangladesh

• India and Bangladesh collaborate on various multilateral forums such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR ARC), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and Bay-of-Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
• They also engage in sub-regional initiatives with Nepal and Bhutan, following the directions of their Prime Ministers.
• The Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) fosters exchanges in music, arts, literature, culture, and language, strengthening the ties between India and Bangladesh.

Emerging Disputes between India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh have a generally positive relationship despite some ongoing disputes. However, it is important for both governments to address emerging issues promptly for the benefit of their citizens. Here are some of the rapidly developing disputes between the two countries:

• Teesta River water disputes
• Illegal migrations
• Dispute over China

Rohingya Issue Between India and Bangladesh

• Another significant issue involving the Rohingya population from Bangladesh, which Bangladesh itself does not accept, is the case of approximately 90 Rohingyas who attempted to leave for Malaysia. Among them were 21 males, 8 girls, 4 boys, and 56 women. After four days, their boat experienced engine trouble, and they were found by the Indian Coast Guard in the Andaman Sea, exhausted, hungry, and thirsty.
• Currently, both the Indian and Bangladeshi governments are making efforts to address this problem through various means.

Covid-19 Pandemic - India and Bangladesh Fights Back

February 2021: Bangladesh received approximately 3.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines (Covishield) from India’s Serum Institute as a gift during the pandemic.

April 2021: Due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in India during its second wave, India halted vaccine exports to Bangladesh, impacting Bangladesh's vaccination program.

As India’s COVID-19 situation improved in April 2021, Bangladesh extended support by sending medical supplies to India.

Beximco, a Bangladeshi company, produced and sent approximately 10,000 vials of Remdesivir, along with zinc calcium, anti-viral injections, oral anti-virals, around 30,000 PPE kits, and other medications to aid India during the crisis.