In News
Recently, India-Bangladesh held the 18th meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on security and border management.
Key Points
- Issues discussed:
- They agreed to deepen and strengthen mutual cooperation on security and border-related issues.
- To implement Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) in letter and its spirit for effective guarding of the Indo-Bangladesh border was the main issue.
- Bilateral issues such as border fencing and developmental works within 150 yards of the International Border, illegal crossing, bilateral cooperation in checking insurgency.
- Combating terrorism, organised crimes and smuggling were also discussed.
- Recent history:
- In the last more than four decades, the two countries have continued to consolidate their political, economic, trade and cultural relations and have built a comprehensive institutional framework to promote bilateral cooperation.
- Both countries share 54 rivers, out of which, a treaty is already in existence for sharing of the Ganges water and both sides are working for early finalisation of agreements for sharing of water of other common rivers.
- Both countries are also cooperating in the conservation of the entire Sundarbans ecosystem, which is a common biodiversity heritage.
- Political: India was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh and establish diplomatic relations immediately after its independence in December 1971.
- Internationally both the nations share the following platforms: SAARC, BIMSTEC, Indian Ocean Coastal Regional Cooperation Association, and Commonwealth.
- Trade and investment:
- Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia.
- Power and energy cooperation:
- Cooperation in the power sector has become one of the hallmarks of India -Bangladesh relations.
- Bangladesh is the biggest development partner of India.
- Defence Cooperation:
- High level exchanges at the level of services chief of Indian Navy, Bangladesh Navy and Indian Air Force, conduct of second annual defense dialogue and inaugural tri-services staff talks, service specific talks of Navy and Air Force.
- Various Joint exercises take place between the two countries:
- Exercise Sampriti (Army) and
- Exercise Milan (Navy).
- Multimodal Connectivity:
- The passenger trains between India and Bangladesh:
- Bandhan Express:
- Maitree Express:
- Mitali Express:
- The passenger trains between India and Bangladesh:
Way Ahead
- India needs to look at more ways to deepen its ties with Bangladesh, especially keeping in mind the shifting nature of geopolitics and geoeconomics in South Asia.
- India and Bangladesh have more or less agreed on most issues and this stability must be maintained.
- India needs to find a fine balance in respecting Bangladesh’s economic growth while maintaining its economic progress.
