In 2021, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh as a “Guest of Honour” during Mujib Borsho (the centenary of Bangladesh’s founder and the country’s former President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman). The then President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, visited Bangladesh the same year on the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s victory in its War of Independence. There is no other example of the President and Prime Minister of India visiting the same country during the Covid pandemic. This indicates the excellent relations between the two countries.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India in September last year. In a series of important meetings with her, PM Modi assured Sheikh Hasina of maximum cooperation in communication, security, uniform river water distribution, border management, trade expansion and in the power and energy sectors. The visit has strengthened the ties between the two countries and we are hopeful that India-Bangladesh friendship will deepen.
On December 16, 2018, Bangladesh’s Minister of Liberation War Affairs Mozammel Haque handed over the Liberation War Award to the families of 12 martyred members of the Indian Armed Forces in Fort William, Kolkata. The process to honour 1,582 Indian Army personnel martyred during the war is on.
During Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India last year, a decision was taken to distribute 200 Mujib scholarships among the family members of the Indian Armed Forces who participated in Bangladesh’s liberation war.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over 10 scholarships and certificates during the visit.
On Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, a digital exhibition was organised on the life history of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Mahatma Gandhi. The exhibition has travelled to 18 countries, besides India and Bangladesh.
In the last financial year, Bangladesh’s exports to India increased 100 per cent and are valued at $2 billion. India’s exports to Bangladesh have increased by 70 per cent and are currently at $16 billion. Diplomatic efforts to reduce the trade deficit with India are on. Talks are on for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to increase trade between the two countries. Both have reached a consensus to continue cooperation to deal with potential energy crises.
The government of Bangabandhu’s daughter and Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina has ensured that no activity in Bangladesh endangers the geographical integrity of India and disturbs the stability of the seven northeastern states — Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Manipur. One of the top leaders of ULFA, Anup Chetia, was handed over to India. Top leaders of India and reports in the Indian media regularly praise the Bangladesh leadership for this.
Bangladesh imports 1,160 MW of electricity from India. Discussions on importing electricity from Nepal and Bhutan via India are on. It takes six to seven hours to reach Agartala from Kolkata via Bangladesh – a distance of 350 miles. The Akhaura-Agartala rail line will be launched in the next few months and the Shahjadpur-Kulaura line will be completed after that. Experts believe that connectivity between Petropol and Benapol, Gede and Darshana, and Birol and Radhikapur connectivity will protect the interests of both countries.
In the area of water resources management, several satisfactory solutions have led to ice being broken over difficult matters between the two Bengals. These could pave the way for the much-discussed and awaited Teesta water-sharing agreement. The two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the distribution of the waters of the Feni River. They have agreed to exchange technical information and set up a framework for an interim agreement on sharing waters of six rivers — Manu, Mahuri, Khowai, Gomti, Dharla and Dudhkumar. A MoU was signed between India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Water Resources on the withdrawal of up to 153 cusecs of water by the two countries from the common border River Kushiyara during the dry season. Governments led by both the Congress and BJP governments have talked of signing the Teesta Agreement.
On May 9, India’s home minister said that the relationship between the two countries is very deep. Much of it is rooted in the shared culture of the two nations. With almost two and a half years of diplomatic experience, I can say with confidence that the Bangladesh-India friendship is at its highest level in its 52-year history. This achievement owes to the efforts made by Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi. Let the warmth of the relationship lead to friendship among the people of the two countries.
The writer is Press Minister, Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi
