Two years post the halt caused by the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic, passenger train services between India and Bangladesh have recently been revived. The following trains have been flagged off – Bandhan Express operating between Kolkata and Khulna, Maitree Express running from Dhaka to Kolkata, and Mitali Express commuting from New Jalpaiguri to Dhaka.
Major Rail Links Between India and Bangladesh
Key rail connections uniting the two nations include Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India)-Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh), Radhikapur (India)-Birol (Bangladesh), Haldibari (India)-Chilahati (Bangladesh), and Agartala (India)- Akahaura(Bangladesh).
Overview of Indo-Bangladesh Relations
The Indo-Bangladesh relations have been shaped by historical ties, defense cooperation, border management, and economic relations. Fifty years ago, the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 solidified the alliance between the two nations. Joint exercises such as SAMPRITI, TABLE TOP, IN-BN CORPAT, Exercise Bongosagar, and SAMVEDNA have played a significant role in defense cooperation. They share a border spanning 4096.7 km, the longest shared by India with any of its neighbors.
Economic Ties
Bangladesh is the largest trading partner of India in South Asia, with their total bilateral trade standing at USD 9.5 billion as of 2019-20. In efforts to further bolster this economic relationship, an India-Bangladesh CEO’s Forum was launched in December 2020. Bangladesh has appreciated the Duty-Free and Quota Free access given to their exports to India under South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) since 2011.
Cooperation in Connectivity
Connectivity between the two nations has seen a significant enhancement, notably with the inauguration of Maitri Setu – a 1.9 km bridge over Feni River connecting Sabroom in India and Ramgarh in Bangladesh, in March 2021. Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) and Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement are other notable examples.
Partnership in Multilateral Forums
The partnership extends to multilateral forums including South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Other Developments
In terms of recent developments, India has extended 3 Lines of Credits (LOC) worth USD 8 billion to Bangladesh over the past eight years, primarily for infrastructure development. Additionally, Bangladesh is the biggest recipient of Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccine doses, accounting for 16% of the total supplies. India has also offered collaboration in therapeutics and partnership in vaccine production.
Emerging Disputes
With Bangladesh being an active partner of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that Delhi hasn’t signed up to, and given its significant acquisitions of Chinese military inventory, potential issues loom over bilateral ties. The roll out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam has already prompted concerns from Bangladesh.
Outlook for Future Relations
Given these dynamics, efforts must be made to resolve pending issues concerning sharing of waters, resolving continental shelf issues in the Bay of Bengal, minimizing border incidents, and managing media exchanges. Exchanges focusing on culture, sports, sustainable development, equitable growth, human capital development, and gender equality need to be pursued. A common entertainment zone at the bordered locations could be a catalyst in promoting camaraderie. The shared borders should be seen as “connector zones” for inclusive growth and prosperity, thus paving way for a new security paradigm.
