History of Relationship
1971 : Mukti Bakini (The Mukti Bahini, also known as the Bangladesh Forces, was the guerrilla resistance movement formed by the Bangladeshi military, paramilitary and civilians during the War of Liberation that transformed East Pakistan into Bangladesh in 1971)
The only thing why India involved in Bangladesh was that due to illegal migration..This led to India – Pakistan war….This led to liberarion of Bangladesh
1971 : Treaty of Peace and Friendship (During this period there was Pak-China and US alliance)
1972 : Established a joint river water commission ( there are around 54 shared rivers between Bangladesh and India)
1976 : Military Coup : Rule of Zia Ur Rehman (Who followed anti- India stand)
1992: Democratic transition and election
Bangladesh National Party (Anti – India stand)
Awami League (Pro India)
Therefore Bangladesh – India relationship is party centric
Why Bangladesh ???
1)River Water Sharing
2)North Eastern States Connectivity
4)To tackle insurgency
Cooperation
1)Military
- Exercises : Sampriti (Army) …….Sundarbans : Coordinated border management – BSF of India and BGB of Bangladesh
- MoU for prevention of Human trafficking
- Coordinated border management plan to prevent criminal activities
- Integrated Checkpost to facilitate trade between India and Bangladesh
2)Economic
- India offered $ 5 billion to Bangladesh which also include financing to procure defence equipment from India
- MoU on the usage of watersharing for mutual benefit
- Around 98% Bangladeshi goods enjoy a duty free access to India
- Border Haats to promote the wellbeing of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of two countries, by establishing traditional system of marketing the local produce through local markets.(Two border haats are located in Meghalaya at Kalaichar and Balat and two are located in Tripura at Srinagar and Kamalasagar.)
- India and Bangladesh have also agreed on Coastal Shipping to enhance movement of goods. India act as a transhipment port to Bangladesh
3)Connectivity
- India is developing ‘Ashuganj port’ (Riverine port in Bangladesh) to increase connectivity between West Bengal and Tripura….This is like bridges over River Fenni..
- India also developing Agarthala-Akhura rail link
- MoU on Chittagong and Monk
4)Cultural
- Bilateral cultural exchange programme
- High level poeple to poeple contact
- India-Bangladesh also developed radio station ‘Akashavani Maithri’
- Bangladeshi diplomats have been giving services in foreign Services Institute – Delhi