A remarkable event that the Indo – Bangladesh relation has just crossed a half century with a deeper closer ties and taken in a further very uprising stage. Bangladesh celebrated her Golden Anniversary of Independence as a nation in 2021 , a coincidence that 17 March 2021 also birth centenary of country’s founder and the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
India also celebrated their golden anniversary of diplomatic ties with Bangladesh. Indian president Ramnath Kovind was invited by Bangladesh government to grace the both anniversaries.
India and Bangladesh jointly fought the 1971 war of liberation and in 13 days war in eastern sector and 15 days in western sector, India sacrificed several thousands of lives of its army for liberation of Bangladesh. Pakistan army in the eastern sector surrendered to the joint command of India and Bangladesh along with 93,000 forces – war prisoner which was the largest number of war prisoners in any war so far.
It was believed that India released all these war prisoners in exchange of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his safe passage to Bangladesh. After the 1971 war, Pakistan ‘s military ruler General Yahya Khan forced to hand over power to civil government and obviously Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who was at the outset power monger and army bestowed power to him. India was too worried for life of Sheikh Mujib since Pakistan‘s military court sentenced him death penalty for treason and Sheikh Mujib was waiting at jail for execution at any time. India’s diplomacy made it highly glorified by getting unconditional release of Bangabhandu
and on return India released all war prisoners.
The geopolitical realities of India with Bangladesh is so deeper that whichever government comes up in India, foreign policy initiatives have to adopt basing on overall reality. India shares with any of its neighbours land boundary, with Bangladesh is the largest, enjoys porous border 4,096 km , riverine 1,116 km and coastline 580 km. India’s natural geographical advantages , economic complementarity as well cultural heritage takes a vision to determine relation with its neighbours specially in South Asia to promote regional peace and economic integration. India for obvious reason has gained greater strategic confidence in South Asian geopolitics as it resolves its differences with its small neighbours. In a wonderful diplomatic norms and by adoption of “ neighbourhood first”, India invited the leaders of South Asian subcontinent to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing –in ceremony in 2014 and in 2019.
This “neighbourhood first” policy is now not only a mere political rhetoric but a full flush diplomatic strategic necessity and Indian success on this vital strategy especially with Bangladesh.
Both countries have provided ample opportunity to mould up South Asia’s geopolitical situation. Diplomatic relationship always to keep country’s interest on top rather than any partisan or on any biased basis. Bangladesh’s economic growth vis-à-vis rise of per capita income made a position gloriously among developing countries and emerging as a vigorous tiger of South Asian countries. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a faltering voice said “ India is a big , strong country, it should look after neighbouring countries on an equal basis”. Her Excellency’s materialistic views should have to be honoured in the context of Bangladesh’s domestic political polarization.
The Sheikh Hasina governments’ steps to further improving the existing relationship in a broad spectrum seems to be bold.
Any agreement signs with India despite of its having realistic merit but domestic politics always make it hotly issue.
Sheikh Hasina is well aware not only of political risks also of her life by signing the accords, she shows her courage, vision and determination in signing agreements with India. No doubt negative mindset among certain Bangladeshi circles prevails, these elements after half century of country’s independence cannot
accept reality.
But common people and a major chunk of business fraternity in Bangladesh want better lives and peaceful co-existence with India in equal manner, the ball in New Delhi’s court, it seems to be possible for a further deep closer ties if India intends the heavy lifting.
(To be continued)
Deepak Roy is a vateral journalist based in Kolkata
