Bangladesh-India relations
Thursday, 24 December 2009
EACH and every government, which came to power in Bangladesh, tried its best to maintain cordial and friendly relations with India. But India always played the big brother and exerted pressure on Bangladesh to advance New Delhi's interests, both due and undue.
Now, Bangladesh is under a renewed pressure to allow transit to Indians, Indian goods, arms and ammunitions through Bangladesh. India is also asking for easy and quick passage between different parts of India through Bangladesh, in the name and disguise of Asian Highway.
The Asian Highway, with both its entry and exit points in India would eliminate Bangladesh's natural advantage for trade and international connectivity. It would be advantageous for India at the cost of Bangladesh. Would India provide such benefits to Bangladesh at its cost?
Nepal and Bhutan, being land-locked, have the right to seek transit which India does not allow. India keeps the maritime boundary dispute unresolved and Indian BSF kills innocent Bangladeshis every other day. Smuggled Indian phensedyl and drugs are harming young Bangladeshis. What India did with tiny Tin Bigha corridor for decades is too well known to recall. India did not hesitate to forcibly occupy South Talpatty and the dispute remains unresolved even now.
It is imperative for any government of Bangladesh to duly pursue its interests. Bangladesh can neither give up its natural advantages nor its interests.
O.H. Kabir
6, Hare Street
Wari, Dhaka-1203
Now, Bangladesh is under a renewed pressure to allow transit to Indians, Indian goods, arms and ammunitions through Bangladesh. India is also asking for easy and quick passage between different parts of India through Bangladesh, in the name and disguise of Asian Highway.
The Asian Highway, with both its entry and exit points in India would eliminate Bangladesh's natural advantage for trade and international connectivity. It would be advantageous for India at the cost of Bangladesh. Would India provide such benefits to Bangladesh at its cost?
Nepal and Bhutan, being land-locked, have the right to seek transit which India does not allow. India keeps the maritime boundary dispute unresolved and Indian BSF kills innocent Bangladeshis every other day. Smuggled Indian phensedyl and drugs are harming young Bangladeshis. What India did with tiny Tin Bigha corridor for decades is too well known to recall. India did not hesitate to forcibly occupy South Talpatty and the dispute remains unresolved even now.
It is imperative for any government of Bangladesh to duly pursue its interests. Bangladesh can neither give up its natural advantages nor its interests.
O.H. Kabir
6, Hare Street
Wari, Dhaka-1203