Friends can be changed, but neighbours cannot. Historically, India–Bangladesh bilateral relations have been built on the foundation of good neighbourly ties. During Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971, India’s sincere support laid the groundwork for relations between the two countries.
In 1972, at their first meeting, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman requested Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to withdraw Indian troops from Bangladesh. Though surprised, Indira honoured Mujib’s request. There is hardly another example in the world where allied troops were withdrawn in such a short period.
The relationship built on the foundation laid by Mujib and Indira has experienced ups and downs under different governments. However, it reached one of its lowest points during the 18-month rule of Dr Muhammad Yunus. Dr Yunus and some of his advisers often used the “anti-India card” to conceal their own failures in governance. They made anti-India statements, created controversies such as not sending the cricket team to play, and fuelled tensions along the border—moves largely aimed at diverting attention from administrative shortcomings. The negative activities of the Yunus-era leadership damaged the long-standing friendly bilateral relations between the two countries. Not only that, the Yunus government also strengthened ties with countries that had strained relations with India. Even instead of easing tensions, Dr Yunus made provocative remarks about India’s “Seven Sisters” region.
After the end of Yunus’s rule in Bangladesh, the situation has changed. With the government assuming office under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, a new sense of optimism has emerged. Both countries now seek a relationship that is not confrontational but respectful and friendly. Bangladesh wants to resolve the long-standing issues between the two nations, and India has responded positively. New Delhi has made it clear that its relationship is with the country of Bangladesh, not with any particular political party.
India has also conveyed its positive attitude towards the new government. On the very first day after the election results were announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister and said that the bond of friendship would continue. Soon after, what may be termed “diesel diplomacy” came into view.
Amid the energy crisis triggered by West Asia conflict, Bangladesh faced a shortage of fuel. India extended support. Through the pipeline it had constructed, India supplied 5,000 tonnes of diesel. The fuel was transported from the Numaligarh Refinery in Assam through a pipeline to the Parbatipur railhead depot in Dinajpur. India is expected to supply more diesel to help Bangladesh address the crisis. This “diesel diplomacy” has already begun to create a positive impact in both countries.
India also took another step by detaining two individuals in Kolkata in connection with the alleged murder of Bangladeshi student leader Hadi. The arrests brought relief to the ruling BNP government, which had been under pressure from the Nationalist Student Organisation (NCP), the group supporting Hadi.
India–Bangladesh relations have generally followed a steady course. Even during the period when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s father Ziaur Rahman was President and his mother Khaleda Zia later served as Prime Minister, the relationship remained positive. There were no major disputes. During Ziaur Rahman’s tenure, however, some problems arose along the border. To address the issue, he visited New Delhi and raised concerns that a group of fighters led by Kader Siddiqui were operating inside Bangladesh to avenge the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, leading to frequent clashes with Bangladeshi security forces.
At the time, Indian Prime Minister Morarji Desai assured Ziaur Rahman that India would not shelter anyone who posed a security threat to Bangladesh. Later, after Indira Gandhi returned to power, then Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Dhaka twice at the invitation of Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Mostafizur Rahman. During those visits, he met President Ziaur Rahman and attended a dinner at Bangabhaban, reiterating India’s commitment not to provide shelter to anyone involved in conflict against Bangladesh.
In 1996, after Sheikh Hasina came to power, India undertook a historic step that helped bring peace to Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts through a landmark agreement. Many existing agreements between India and Bangladesh have often been criticised politically. However, in reality, no government has ever cancelled any of them—not even the interim government during the Yunus period.
Since the Tarique Rahman government assumed office, nearly 80 per cent of the tensions created during the Yunus era have subsided within a month. Both countries are now working to further strengthen the relationship.
In South Asian geopolitics, the Bangladesh–India relationship has always been significant. Historical ties, language, culture and economic interdependence have created a unique bond between the two countries. However, the relationship has never been linear; rather, it has seen fluctuations in line with political changes over time.
There is now renewed hope that mutual distrust and internal political tensions will gradually diminish.
Bangladesh’s new government has begun identifying key issues. In particular, Bangladesh seeks solutions to border issues, trade imbalances and the long-standing Teesta water dispute. In addition, both sides are expected to resolve visa-related complications and restore passenger transport services that had been suspended during the Yunus period.
During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, India and Bangladesh resolved several longstanding issues. These included the historic settlement of the border dispute, security cooperation and a number of joint initiatives in the power and connectivity sectors. As a result, bilateral cooperation expanded significantly. In particular, the implementation of the India–Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement in 2015 is widely regarded as a milestone in relations between the two countries. However, misunderstandings had arisen between India and the now-ruling BNP over elections held in Bangladesh at the time. Much of that complexity appears to have eased now.
At present, several key issues remain central to improving relations: the unresolved dispute over Teesta river water sharing, occasional casualties along the border and the need to reduce trade imbalances.
These matters have generated concern among sections of public opinion in Bangladesh. As a result, the issues of equality and mutual respect have become increasingly important for the current government in Dhaka.
Although trade between Bangladesh and India has grown rapidly, there remains a significant imbalance. Each year, Bangladesh imports far more from India than it exports to the Indian market. Consequently, many Bangladeshi business leaders and policymakers believe that greater balance in bilateral trade is necessary.
Diplomats believe that relations with the Tarique Rahman government may not follow exactly the same trajectory as before. However, change does not necessarily mean greater conflict or confrontation. Many analysts argue that the future diplomacy between the two countries could become more balanced.
For Bangladesh, the most realistic strategy is a policy of multi-vector diplomacy. While maintaining close relations with India, the government is also expected to expand economic and strategic engagement with China, the United States, Europe and West Asia. Dhaka believes that such a balanced foreign policy can bring greater advantages for a medium-sized developing country in the international arena.
For India as well, Bangladesh remains extremely important. Geographically, Bangladesh plays a crucial role in connectivity with India’s northeastern states, regional security and the strategic landscape of the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, the reality is that maintaining good relations is in the mutual interest of both countries.
A complete breakdown or hostile relationship would have negative consequences for both sides.
According to analysts, India has taken a positive approach towards Bangladesh. The biggest challenge in the future will be rebuilding mutual trust. If unresolved issues such as the Teesta dispute can be addressed, humane conduct ensured along the border and greater balance achieved in trade, the relationship will become even stronger.
Ultimately, the future of India–Bangladesh relations will depend on pragmatic diplomacy. Friendship will continue, but it must be based on equal dignity and mutual interests. For the stability and development of South Asia, advancing this relationship in a mature, balanced and forward-looking manner is the most pressing need for both countries.
(Author is former Editor, Daily Bangladesh Pratidin. Views are personal) Naem Nizam
