Round The World

New Delhi, 7 November 2012

Khaleda’s Visit To India

INDO-BANGLADESH IRRITANTS GO ON

By Obja Borah Hazarika

Research Scholar, School of International Studies (JNU)

Illegal immigration, North-East insurgents’ hide-outs and unresolved water-sharing issues have led to immense friction in relations between India and Bangladesh. Wherein recent efforts by Manmohan Singh and the Sheikh Hasina Governments’ have led to some improvement in ties but many hurdles still remain to be surmounted.

Undeniably, encouraging developments during Sheikh Hasina’s current tenure like setting up many haats in the border areas, allowing enclaves swapping and controlling North-eastern insurgents’ activities have been welcomed by New Delhi.

Progress on the issue of adverse possessions (within 24-hours) of the Teen Bigha Corridor by Manmohan Singh’s Government is another laudable step in the right direction for the evolution of maturity in the relationship between the two nations.

Last month, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and Leader of Opposition Khaleda Zia, visited New Delhi for a week. Indeed, her visit was significant given the upcoming general elections there next year and the possibility of her Party coming to power.

Specially, against the backdrop the BNP is known for its anti-India rhetoric and policies. While, New Delhi would like cooperation to continue regardless of Khaleda coming to power.

Pertinently, her visit en route from Beijing, is important as China and India have enormous economic and strategic interest in Bangladesh, notwithstanding both have more reasons to cooperate than compete over Dhaka. An unstable Bangladesh would be economically disastrous for both countries wherein sound strategic planning begs that New Delhi and Beijing lessen cooperative aspects over contentious issues when dealing with Dhaka.

Notably, India views Chinese presence in the Chittagong port, its support for the second Padma river bridge, development plans of Sonadia’s deep-sea port, plans to start the Chittagong-Kunming rail link and aid in modernising the Bangladesh Armed Forces, as attempts at weaning Dhaka away from India and making it dependent on China.

Thereby, a challenge for India to ensure that Chinese influence in Bangladesh is effectively countered and that the ‘China Card’ is not brandished by any of her neighbours to adversely affect New Delhi’s interests in the region.

During her visit Khaleda held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, her Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj and BJP President Nitin Gadkari. 

Importantly, she raised the sensitive issue of border killings. As the India-Bangla 4000 Kms border is porous and the root of irritants between the two nations. Resulting in illegal Bangladeshis migration into India, smuggling and cattle trading etc which require immediate action by both Governments.

Alongside, boosting patrol forces, extensive fencing, constructing perimeter walls, proper demarcation and constant continuous vigil. This apart, India must also aid Bangladesh’s development by offering financial and technical help to build its economy in order to halt migration from there.

Other issues discussed included, water sharing of common rivers, Teesta, and Tipaimukh Dam project, border management, terrorism and trade deficit. Furthermore, Khaleda stressed to Manmohan Singh that she would never support insurgents or terrorists using Bangladesh as a safe haven for anti-India activities. In reply, the Prime Minister stated that every mechanism would be put in place to stop killings in the border region.

Also, President Pranab Muhkherjee called for establishment of close and friendly relations between the two and stated his desire to witness cooperation in all fields. He reiterated India’s determination to address all concerns of Bangladesh. 

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid promised Khaleda to talk to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other stakeholders on sharing Teesta waters. Khaleda replied that connectivity between Bangladesh and India was "inevitable" and the same must be expanded to include China. Underscoring a shift in her Party's stand.

Recall, she was previously vociferously against granting transit routes to India. Asked about the shift in Khaleda's policy on the transit issue, her adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed, emphasized that there might have been a misunderstanding vis-à-vis the BNP's stand and reiterated that the Party was not  BNP had not opposed to granting India transit rights for facilitating better connectivity between West Bengal and the North East. The change in Khaleda’s stance is being interpreted as her mellowing down the ‘anti-India’ rhetoric.  

Her dilution of the ‘anti-India’ stance also evoked mixed reactions in Dhaka.  While liberal BNP leaders said that her effort to tone down anti-Indian politics was a bold step given that such politics had become obsolete in the current international scenario. Not a few, asserted her ‘anti-India’ policy was a “mistake” while the hardliners felt this volte-face would hamper the Party’s political prolife in the ensuing polls as the BNP’s main strength is its anti-India stand.

On her way back to Dhaka, Khaleda averred “… visit was highly successful. I discussed with the Indian leaders how to strengthen Bangladesh's relations with India, and my talks with them were fruitful”.

Despite, the broad range of topics which various India’s leaders, concrete pronouncements of her agenda on relations with India in case she wins power next year remained obscure. Several contentious issues, especially Bangladesh’s anxiety over the Manipur’s Tipaimukh project on Barak River and the sharing of the Teesta waters remain unresolved.

Further, the continuance of illegal immigration which has led to communal conflicts in India is a matter which requires political will and grit to solve. Land and water stress have already led to conflicts in Assam. Demographic changes in the North East due to illegal immigration are threatening to rupture the tenuous social fabric of the region.

Additionally, Bangladesh being a low-lying country has the added tension of rising sea levels. Thus, a method to address an ecological refugee situation needs to be factored into Bangladesh-India talks.

Undoubtedly, Khaleda’s efforts to ensure cooperation with India are a welcome development, but concerns relating to increasing Chinese influence, illegal immigration, insurgents, water–sharing concerns etc continue to evade resolution. ---INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)