 "India-Bangladesh relations are anchored in historical, cultural, and economic ties, reflecting deep mutual trust and cooperation. Image: PTI")
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was on a two-day visit to India on June 21. The official visit was the first incoming bilateral state visit by a foreign leader after the Lok Sabha elections. This is the 10th time PM Modi has met Sheikh Hasina since 2019, showing how much India values its south Asian neighbour. PM Hasina was among the international dignitaries present at the swearing-in ceremony of Modi 3.0 on June 9.
Over time, India and Bangladesh have cultivated a multidimensional relationship characterised by common historical roots, cultural affinities, and geographic proximity. The two nations maintain cordial diplomatic relations, which have experienced further enhancement under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina.
The outcome of the visit
The two neighbouring nations signed multiple MoUs covering maritime cooperation, rail connectivity, oceanography, health, and disaster management. Emphasis was given on rail connectivity, where Bangladesh would offer transit through its territory between North East India and West Bengal. It is speculated that India will try to run a train service soon that will connect northeastern states like Tripura with western Bengal through Bangladesh.
A group of experts will visit Bangladesh to discuss the conservation and management of the Teesta River. Soon, India may also start issuing e-medical visas to deal with the surging demand for medical visas from Bangladesh.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts‘Panchamrit’
In 2015, “Panchamrit” replaced the previous doctrine of “Panchsheel” with five new pillars of foreign policy: “samman” (dignity), “samvad” (dialogue), “samriddhi” (shared prosperity), “suraksha” (regional and global security), and “sanskriti evam sabhayata” (cultural and civilisational links).
India aspires to be a great power and is marching towards it with all intents and purposes under the current leadership. However, the aim of becoming a great power is only possible by forging and maintaining cordial relations with neighbours in the Indian subcontinent. India’s current intensified engagement with neighbouring and extended neighbouring nations through the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, ‘Act East policy’, ‘Act West policy’, and the introduction of ‘Panchamrit’ are important examples of it.
Bangladesh is a trusted neighbour and a key partner in South Asia. The overall India-Bangladesh strategic ties have been on an upswing in the last few years. In June 2015, PM Modi visited Bangladesh, and a land border agreement was reached to resolve a 41-year-long dispute between the two countries. To enhance connectivity, the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project connecting Siliguri (India) and Parbatipur (Bangladesh), as well as new railway lines and bus routes, were inaugurated during the visit. In April 2017, during Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India, 22 agreements were signed on cyber security, defence, and nuclear energy, among others.
New Delhi extended the line of credit to Dhaka of nine and a half billion dollars between 2015 and 2017 for 17 developmental projects. In 2017, India also provided Bangladesh with a line of credit of $500 million for the purchase of defence equipment. The year 2023 witnessed a spurt of bilateral activities, showcasing the strength of the relationship. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 in a virtual format. These bilateral agreements and partnerships exhibit that Bangladesh is an essential and equal partner in the region, highlighting “samman” (dignity) by India, which is the first pillar of ‘Panchamrit’.
The previous connectivity projects and the current possible rail and maritime projects will boost trade and people-to-people connections, which will bring “samriddhi” (shared prosperity) to the region. In the last five years, the PMs of both countries have met 10 times, highlighting the “samvad” (dialogue), which is crucial to building trusted relations.
The fourth and important pillar of Panchamrit “suraksha” (regional and global security) can be seen in the active cooperation between various agencies of both countries to cooperate on police matters, anti-corruption activities, and to combat illicit drug trafficking, fake currency, human trafficking, and cyber security, among others, which is essential for the peaceful growth of the shared “sanskriti evam sabhayata” in the region. Both countries’ cultural and civilisational ("sanskriti evam sabhayata") connections are very strong.
In her address, Prime Minister Hasina described India as Bangladesh’s major neighbour and a reliable friend. “India is our major neighbour, trusted friend, and regional partner. Bangladesh greatly values our relations with India, which were born out of the War of Liberation in 1971. I recall with gratitude the contribution of the government and the people of India to Bangladesh’s independence,” she mentioned. The statement underlines the cultural and civilisational connections that these two countries have. Many Bangladeshis visit India for medical help, and students study in Indian universities under ICCR scholarships, which outline the culture and people-to-people connection and how these two countries are moving towards “samriddhi” (shared prosperity) in the region.
India-Bangladesh relations are anchored in historical, cultural, and economic ties, reflecting deep mutual trust and cooperation. By prioritising dialogue and collaboration in areas such as trade, water sharing, and regional security, both nations have made significant strides in resolving disputes and fostering prosperity. Cultural exchange further solidifies their bond, promoting understanding and camaraderie. As neighbours with shared challenges and opportunities, India and Bangladesh exemplify how a commitment to partnership and mutual respect can lead to enduring peace and development in the region.
Vijay Maidergi is a PhD Scholar in the Department of Politics and International Studies at Pondicherry University. Anmol Kumar is a Research Assistant for an ICSSR Project at Pondicherry University. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.