India and Bangladesh recently signed several agreements and inaugurated three projects to enhance their cooperation. These steps are thought to be critical in strengthening the partnership between the two nations.
Seven Key Agreements
India and Bangladesh signed seven crucial agreements, each of which is expected to contribute significantly to their partnership. One of the agreements includes the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh for moving goods to and from India, especially Northeastern India. This agreement could dramatically improve trade between the two countries, allowing for smoother and faster transport of goods.
Another vital agreement involves the use of Bangladesh’s Feni River for supplying drinking water in Tripura. Although progress on the long overdue Teesta water sharing agreement was not reported, the new agreement offers a promising resolution. Apart from this, data and information will be exchanged to create a framework for interim sharing agreements for six rivers. Furthermore, an inland water trade route between Daudkanti (Bangladesh) and Sonamura (Tripura) will be included under the Protocol of the Inland Water Transit and Trade.
One of the notable agreements reached was the removal of restrictions on entry and exit from land ports in India for Bangladeshi citizens with valid documents. The other agreements focused on implementing the Lines of Credit (LoCs) committed by India to Bangladesh.
Bilateral Development Partnership Projects
To further build on this partnership, both India and Bangladesh launched three substantial development projects. The projects focus on various aspects, such as the import of bulk Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Bangladesh, the inauguration of Vivekananda Bhaban, a student hostel at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka, and setting up the Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute (BIPSDI) at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB) in Khulna, Bangladesh.
Coastal Surveillance Systems
The two sides noted significant progress in finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of Coastal Surveillance Radar System in Bangladesh. With India having provided similar systems to Mauritius, Seychelles, and Maldives, and planning one in Myanmar, the coastal surveillance system will aid in future Indo-Bangladesh White Shipping Agreements.
Transportation and Border Management
Both sides concurred to fast-track the implementation of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement for transporting goods and passengers between member countries. Notably, they also agreed to expedite the setting up of twelve Border Haats, which both countries had previously consented to.
A feasibility study for the Ganga-Padma barrage project was also discussed as part of an upgraded version of the 1996 Ganga Water Sharing treaty.
Facts Table
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Recognition | India was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh and establish diplomatic relations immediately after its independence in December 1971. |
| Defence Cooperation | Various Joint exercises of Army (Exercise Sampriti) and Navy (Exercise Milan). |
| Border Management | India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of border, the longest land boundary that India shares with any of its neighbours. |
| River Cooperation | 54 common rivers shared by India and Bangladesh. A bilateral Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) works since June 1972 to maximize benefits from common river systems. |
| Economic Relations | Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia. India’s exports to Bangladesh for the financial year 2018-19 (April-March) stood at US $ 9.21 bn and imports from Bangladesh for the same period stood at US $1.22 bn. |
The National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and Rohingya Refugees
The Bangladesh Prime Minister expressed concerns over the roll out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. This exercise aims to identify genuine Indian citizens living in Assam and weed out illegal Bangladeshis. The two leaders also discussed the Rohingya refugee crisis, with the Bangladesh Prime Minister urging his Indian counterpart to use his “good relations” with the Myanmar government to facilitate the return of all refugees. India was lauded for the aid it has given to refugees in Bangladesh, as well as the 250 homes built for them in Myanmar.
