The two-day state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka from June 06-07, 2015 will be remembered by all for the hopes that have been raised by him in the context of our bilateral relations. India and Bangladesh are not just "pass pass" (close to each other) but also "saath saath" (together), Modi said in his speech delivered on June 07 (in a meeting organised jointly by the University of Dhaka and the Indian High Commission, Dhaka) prior to his departure for New Delhi. The nuance in his observation carried an important message. Modi was underlining that Bangladesh and India were not only neighbours but would also be walking together on the path of development that was underway in the sub-region of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. It was this spirit that marked the bilateral vision of the leaders of both countries in their speeches delivered on different occasions on these two days. It was also reflected in the Joint Declaration issued on the conclusion of the visit.
Exchange of visits to New Delhi and Dhaka by members of the Bangladesh leadership and that of the Indian government over the past five years have tried to identify least common denominators that could help both countries to overcome existing challenges through political will. The civil society in both countries, composed of media activists, economists, cultural personalities and professionals have also initiated positive steps to detect common linkages in the socio-cultural and economic arenas that will help to foster people-to-people understanding. This has been attempted through the convening of workshops and seminars in different cities in both India and Bangladesh.
At the same time, despite the niche of mistrust fostered by certain right-of-the-centre activists and fundamentalists in both countries, and their efforts to create barriers to the solution of issues, good neighbourly relations have continued to develop between the two countries and in this sub-region of South Asia.
This has been possible because of the realisation that the solution lies not only in greater connectivity in this era of global inter-connectivity, but also that no country can prosper in isolation. The rationale for this lies in the fact that the countries of the region, which face common developmental challenges, must work together to fight deprivation and poverty. This conviction has led our government to attach priority in its foreign relations and to the strengthening of constructive engagement in our relations with our neighbours. We are doing so because we believe that seamless connectivity holds enormous prospect of prosperity and development for this region.
I feel that this equation has been taken forward through the resolution of the maritime boundaries between Bangladesh and India and also with Myanmar. The completion of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) ratification process by India after 41 years has also brought momentum to this dynamics.
This shared vision of moving forward together was initiated earlier during the visit of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, to Bangladesh in September 2011. Manmohan and Prime Minister Hasina had agreed at that time to harness the advantages of regional and sub-regional cooperation in power, water resources, transport and other forms of connectivity, food security, education, environment and sustainable development to mutual advantage. The Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development signed during this visit further consolidated the intent of the highest political leadership by agreeing to harness the advantages of sub-regional cooperation in power sector, water resources management, physical connectivity, environment and sustainable development. This agreement envisaged that countries in this region would take up projects both bilaterally and in the sub-regional context in areas that will promote connectivity for mutual benefit.
The foreign/external affairs ministers of Bangladesh and India carried forward this resolve and the 1st meeting of the JCC (Joint Consultative Commission) held in May 2012, welcomed the formation of technical-level teams for sub-regional cooperation in water and power, connectivity and transit. This logic of cooperation in the sub-regional context was also emphasised through the exchange of visits between Bangladesh and Bhutan at the highest levels. Broad understanding was reached by the two countries to cooperate in a multitude of areas. This opened up the scope for exploring the synergies among the four countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan) of the sub-region in various ways that may be undertaken by these countries either bilaterally or in a multi-lateral context like SAARC, BCIM and BIMSTEC or in the sub-regional context (BBIN).
The shared vision between the leaders of the two countries and similar political goodwill was reiterated through the signing, exchange, adoption and handing over of 22 different agreements that covered various areas: implementation process of the Land Boundary Agreement and its 2011 Protocol, the widening of connectivity through the introduction of new bus routes from Kolkata to Agartala and Gowhati via Dhaka, arranging of inland water transit, renewal of the bilateral trade agreement, prevention of human trafficking through greater cooperation between the coast guards and border guards of the two countries, diversified cooperation in the maritime territories in the Bay of Bengal, including the facilitating of research in oceanography, provision of a new line of credit of US$ 2.0 billion by India to help in the growth of infrastructure in this country, the enabling of the use by India of the Chittagong and Mongla ports in the context of connectivity, greater cooperation in the area of education and culture, agreeing in the field of standardisation and the setting up of two possible economic zones inside Bangladesh for investment by the Indian private sector. In addition, there were also discussions and understanding reached (on how to move forward) pertaining to greater cooperation in the power sector, joint water sharing and water management.
It may be also mentioned here that since the departure of Mr. Modi it has been announced that the transfer of 162 enclaves (111 in Bangladesh and 51 in India) will be in effect from the midnight of July 31 this year. The movement of the residents of these enclaves from one country to another (if anyone wants to move to the other country) will be completed by November 30. It has been specified that adversely possessed land and final border demarcation will be settled by June 30, 2016. Setting of such timeframes indicates the firm political will on the part of the two governments of the two countries.
Yes, there still remain a few challenges that might have been referred to. Modi, the shrewd politician, touched on that in his speech on June 07. He said that as soon as he departs from Dhaka airport, the scales will be brought out by some and observers will start comparing how much each side has achieved through this visit. A practical person and a pragmatist, he referred to these difficulties with caution and asked that future efforts in this context be undertaken from the broader perspective.
The Times of India which was closely following Modi's remarks during the visit has reported some interesting aspects. They have drawn attention to the fact that Modi wants deepening of the bilateral political engagement; working together to make the region prosperous, safer and secure; and recognition of the huge opportunity and potential that exists in the relationship of the two countries that can add new dimensions to our economic ties. In this context, reference has been made to the increasing trade deficit between Bangladesh and India and how investment by Indian entrepreneurs may spur employment inside Bangladesh and also diversify the range of manufactured products that can then be exported to India (thereby reducing trade deficit). From this perspective, the discussion between our senior business and manufacturing leaders and Mr. Modi is expected to assist this paradigm.
Coming to the sensitive issues of border killings and the sharing of the watercourses flowing into Bangladesh from India, Modi disappointed some but also brought forth hope among the majority.
The fact that the West Bengal chief minister was present here during his visit and met him separately had its own connotations. It was interesting to read Modi's reference that "our rivers should nurture our relationship, not become a source of discord. Water sharing is above all a human issue…..I am confident that with the support of the State governments in India, we can reach a fair solution on Teesta and Feni Rivers". I presume that this issue will be eventually resolved but not before the next State election in West Bengal that will take place in 2016.
With regard to killing at the border, Modi expressed his anxiety and concern. He mentioned that those being killed were poor people and that needs to be dealt with effectively.
These are good assurances, but like any other Bangladeshi, I feel that, sooner rather than later, the Indian border guards are specifically asked by the Indian government to stop using bullets that kill. Instead, efforts must be made to arrest those who might be trying to cross the border into India and imprison them. They could later be allowed to return to Bangladesh. This is a human element that has to be appreciated. It will only enhance the success of our partnership.
Nevertheless, I conclude with the observation that the glass of our bilateral relationship after Mr. Modi's visit is three-fourth full and the vacant space is filled with oxygen that can nurture growth.
The writer, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information
and good governance.
muhammadzamir0@gmail.com
Modi\\\'s visit boosts neighbourly cooperation
Muhammad Zamir | Published: June 15, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
Share if you like