January 22, 2025

With China making deep inroads into Sri Lanka and Nepal while trying to woo Bangladesh, it is imperative that India makes the most of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four day visit to the country. India and Bangladesh share traditional affinity which gets marred by some factors like Islamic extremism, the shelter Indian ultras get in Bangladesh, rivers water sharing and trade deficit among others. But none of these issues are so complicated as to be allowed to fester and turn into permanent spoilers. Political will and a little give and take is all that is needed to solve these. There are many low-hanging fruits that should be plucked to create an atmosphere of trust and goodwill. It will help in tackling more thorny issues like Teesta waters.

The indicator of how things have changed can be seen from the fact that instead of India complaining to Bangladesh about Islamic fanatics from that country attacking targets in India, it is the other way round now. Bangladesh is accusing India of not doing anything about HuJi and JMB ultras finding safe haven in West Bengal and Tripura and planning attacks on Bangladesh. The Centre must take up the matter with the two states and ensure that Indian soil is not used to threaten the integrity of our neighbor.

While enclaves within the two countries were peacefully exchanged some time back, Bangladesh continues to think that by erecting a fence on the international border, India is violating the 1975 agreement, while India laments unhindered infiltration from Bangladesh and the continued persecution of Hindus there. Both countries must continuously talk at all levels to address these issues.

On the trade deficit front, experts in Bangladesh have said that exports from that country to India are low because of non-tariff barriers. Officials of the commerce ministry must look into these allegations and address them as far as feasible. India supplies Bangladesh with 600 MW of power every year. Bangladesh has allowed India to use the Chittagong port after 40 years recently and India is developing the Payra port there.

But the major thorn is the sharing of Teesta waters in the lean months of December to March. The agreement could have been signed during Manmohan Singh’s visit in 2011 but for a veto by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. While Banerjee has valid objections and is right in protecting the interests of the people of West Bengal, the Centre must approach the issue from another angle and verify the requirement afresh. Banerjee should be made to understand that a sacrifice of a few lakh cusecs will not dry the state but will ensure cordial relations with Bangladesh forever. However, there cannot be a Teesta agreement without Mamata’s approval. One thinks that a three-way meeting between Hasina, Modi and Mamata – with all facts laid on the table – might solve the issue. It should be given a huge push this time.