[🇧🇩] Indo-Bangla Relation: India's Regional Ambition, Geopolitical Reality, and Strategic Options For Bangladesh

G Bangladesh Defense
[🇧🇩] Indo-Bangla Relation: India's Regional Ambition, Geopolitical Reality, and Strategic Options For Bangladesh
Saif
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Kwatra's visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties: Indian Govt
UNB
Published :
May 09, 2024 20:45
Updated :
May 09, 2024 20:45

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India has said its Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra's just concluded visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties and impart momentum to the cooperation in diverse areas.

"Bangladesh is India's leading development partner and its largest trade partner in the region," said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

The Foreign Secretary paid an official visit to Bangladesh from May 8-9.

This was the first official visit to Bangladesh after the formation of the new government in January 2024.

During the visit, Foreign Secretary called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.

He also met his counterpart Masud Bin Momen.

The visit to Bangladesh is keeping in line with the highest priority accorded to India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary reviewed the wide-ranging bilateral relationship including political and security, water, trade and investment, power and energy, defence, connectivity and sub-regional cooperation.​
 
New Delhi's foreign policy has evolved from the Cold War to the present day. India is aiming to maintain its position as a regional leader in South Asia despite challenges from external influences and its own errors. But increasing Chinese influence and tensions caused by mishandled political developments have strained New Delhi's ties with its neighbours. The need for New Delhi is to respect its neighbours, combat hyper-nationalism and focus on leading, rather than policing, the region.

eastasiaforum.org

India’s regional challenges | East Asia Forum

New Delhi must improve its ties with South Asian neighbours to maintain its role as a key player in the region.
eastasiaforum.org eastasiaforum.org
 
en.prothomalo.com

India making efforts to keep Bangladesh under control: Fakhrul

India's continuous efforts to control Bangladesh instead of resolving water-sharing issues with its neighbours have been criticized by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who accused the current regime of failing to stand up for the people's interests.
en.prothomalo.com en.prothomalo.com

India making efforts to keep Bangladesh under control: Fakhrul
UNB
Published: 16 May 2024, 21: 14

1715902922944.png

Mirza Fakhrul Islam AlamgirFile photo

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that neighbouring India has been continuously making efforts to keep Bangladesh under its control instead of resolving the pressing issue of water-sharing of common trans-border rivers.

Speaking at a discussion meeting on Farakka Long March Day, he also criticised the Awami League government for its failure to take action in resolving the water problem with India, stating that the current regime has been in power solely to secure the interests of its foreign master.

"We see that our neighbour (India) has always been carrying out all their activities to keep Bangladesh under control, since its birth. Not only the Farakka dam, not the Ganga water, but they have always been negligent in the water distribution of 154 common rivers. They're not resolving the problem," Fakhrul said.

He mentioned that the current Awami League government has long been buying time, promising the country's people to ink the Teesta water-sharing deal without success.

"The root cause of this failure lies in the fact that this is completely a subservient regime. It has consistently failed to take a stand in favour of the people's interests as they are extremely feeble in dealing with India."

Bhasani Anusari Parishad arranged the programme at the National Press Club, marking the historic 'Farakka Long-March Day', commemorating populist leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani's long march towards the Farakka Dam 48 years ago.

On 16 May, 1976, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani led a massive long march from Rajshahi towards India's Farakka barrage, demanding the demolition of the barrage constructed by the Indian government to divert the flow of Ganges water inside its territory.

Fakhrul said the current government's only job is to protect their own interests and those of their masters by repressing the country's people since it usurped power through a unilateral election.

'How will they (AL govt) resolve the problems of the Teesta and Farakka? How will they resolve the water-sharing problem of other common rivers? Because they captured power with special assignments (by others)," he observed.

In such a situation, the BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh must stand on their own feet to restore their lost democratic rights.

He said the BNP and many other opposition parties have been carrying out struggles for the restoration of the democratic rights of people. "For this, many of us have sacrificed our lives and many of us have to endure oppression and persecution."

Fakhrul also said there is now no alternative path to waging a united movement by all opposition parties rising above division and misunderstanding among them for ousting the current monstrous regime.

"We must move forward in unison in our own interests to reach our desired goal. No one will do it for us; we have to do it ourselves."

He said the government jailed BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia by implicating her in false cases and filed cases against 60 lakh leaders and activists of the party to hang onto power. "Oppression and arrests are still ongoing...our leaders and activists are being convicted and sent to jail."

The BNP leader said the Awami League has retained power by manipulating elections through various tactics as it knows it will face a massive debacle in a free, fair and credible election.​
 
www.newagebd.net

India involved in damaging democracy in Bangladesh: Oli

Liberal Democratic Party president Oli Ahmad on Saturday alleged that the Indian government was directly and indirectly responsible for the damage of democracy and...
www.newagebd.net www.newagebd.net

India involved in damaging democracy in Bangladesh: Oli
Staff Correspondent 19 May, 2024, 00:23

1716076722006.png

Oli Ahmad | File photo

Liberal Democratic Party president Oli Ahmad on Saturday alleged that the Indian government was directly and indirectly responsible for the damage of democracy and the establishment of dictatorship in Bangladesh.

'We know that the Indian government is very concerned about the security of its seven eastern states. I would like to tell them, we do not want to stick our nose into any other country's affairs,' Oli told a press conference at his Maghbazar party office.

The press conference was held following a liaison committee meeting with the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

'It is our hope that the government of India will refrain from associating itself with any particular person or party, and will focus on establishing friendship between the people of India and the people of Bangladesh. Let us complement each other and live as good neighbours,' he said.

The government of India should not act hostile towards the people of Bangladesh, he said, adding that the 18 crores people of Bangladesh wanted to be good neighbours.

'The present government [Bangladesh] has allowed you to use the sea ports, land ports and various roads of our country. A number of unbalanced agreements have also been signed. As a result of which Bangladesh is suffering,' he said.

The LDP is in the simultaneous movement against the government led by the BNP and for the first time BNP leaders were present at any press conference of the LDP.

BNP vice chairman Mohammad Shahjahan was sitting next to Oli Ahmad, while BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan was also supposed to be there, but he reportedly did not attend as his wife was ill.

Oli said that the LDP would announce the new programme under the leadership of the BNP as soon as possible.

'We have been protesting against the current government in a movement led by the BNP for a long time. As soon as possible we will announce the new programme under the leadership of BNP,' he said, adding that new possibilities would open in the country.

Responding to a question about various parties' reluctance regarding co-opting the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the simultaneous movement, he said eloquently, 'It is cow which is needed to plough the field; even if it is a weak cow, you need it. One cannot plough the field with a goat.'

'We have seen the last 10–20 years. Everyone knows what we have achieved. Now you understand what is needed, I also understand. We have 62 parties here. How many of these parties have the strength to march down the street?' he said, adding that there were some parties which stand in names only.

When asked why the movement to bring down the government was not successful, Oli said, 'BNP secretary general can answer why we did not succeed. I don't have an answer for that because I'm a small party's leader devoid of any shields and swords.'

When asked whether he gave any advice to the BNP, Oli Ahmad said, 'The advice to the BNP was given in the meeting. It will not be possible to say in front of everyone.'​
 
en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh springs up in discussions amid polls in India

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal raises concerns over Indian democracy, compares it to Bangladesh amid Lok Sabha polls
en.prothomalo.com en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh springs up in discussions amid polls in India
Saumya BandyopadhyayNew Delhi
Published: 25 May 2024, 16: 54

1716705593761.png

Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal Screengrab from a Facebook video

Bangladesh is suddenly cropping up in talks across India amid the ongoing Lok Sabha polls for two different reasons. Such widespread coverage of Bangladesh in almost all Indian news media for such a long period of time is probably unprecedented.

The killing of ruling Awami League lawmaker Anwarul Azim in Kolkata got massive coverage in the news media across all states over the last few days.

While the police and intelligence of the two countries are busy unravelling the mystery behind the killing, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal brought up Bangladesh in his political debate. He openly admitted that if Narendra Modi comes to power for the third consecutive term, then the Indian democracy will be like that of Bangladesh.

if Modi becomes the prime minister again, then it will be the end of democracy in India. He referred to Bangladesh to explain the possible consequence of the ruling party forming the government again.

They (BJP) will amend the constitution and the country will move towards dictatorship Either there will be no elections, or the elections will be like those in Russia, where Vladimir Putin has either put the entire opposition in jail or has got them killed. Elections were held only after that and he bagged 87 per cent votes. In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina put everyone (opposition activists) in jail and won by a landslide margin Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of Delhi.

He is not bringing up the example of Bangladesh only in rallies or road shows. He brought up Bangladesh even during an interview with an India newspaper, The Indian Express on Friday. There, too, he put the democracy of the neighbouring ally on the same seat as Russia and Pakistan.

Arvind Kejriwal was asked about the possible aftermath, if Modi becomes the prime minister for the third time.

In response he said, "They (BJP) will amend the constitution and the country will move towards dictatorship. Either there will be no elections, or the elections will be like those in Russia, where Vladimir Putin has either put the entire opposition in jail or has got them killed. Elections were held only after that and he bagged 87 per cent votes. In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina put everyone (opposition activists) in jail and won by a landslide margin."

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​
 
thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh-India trade dynamics

It was 50 years ago when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, visited the Indian capital, New Delhi, at the invitation of Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India. The five-day visit from May 12 to 16, 1974, was the second and the last and most critical o
thefinancialexpress.com.bd thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh-India trade dynamics
ASJADUL KIBRIA
Published :
May 25, 2024 23:01
Updated :
My 26, 2024 21:43

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It was 50 years ago when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, visited the Indian capital, New Delhi, at the invitation of Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India. The five-day visit from May 12 to 16, 1974, was the second and the last and most critical official visit to India. Two years before, he visited Kolkata from February 6 to 8, 1972. In between the two trips, many critical developments took place. These include Indian PM Indira Gandhi's visit to Bangladesh from March 17 to March 19, 1972; the singing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace between the two countries in 1972; the singing of the bilateral trade agreement in 1972, and the singing of the protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade in 1972.

During Bangabandhu's visit to India in 1974, several critical issues were discussed by the heads of the two governments. Regarding the bilateral trade issue, two parties agreed to set up two joint commissions to improve the jute sector and curb unauthorised transactions. The two parties also agreed to make the optimal use of a Balanced Trade and Payments Arrangement (BTPA). The arrangement was included in the three-year bilateral trade agreement, which replaced the first bilateral trade agreement, signed in 1972 and expired in September 1973. The agreement provided an opportunity for border trade between the two countries. It allowed people living up to 16 km on either side of the border to dispose of their goods daily. There was no customs and currency regulation for the border trade. The only restriction was the specific number of commodities. The agreement also provided an opportunity for a balanced rupee trade worth Rs. 250 million (or US $35 million) each way annually. In the new three-year trade agreement that became effective after the expiration of the first agreement in September 1973, two parties agreed to enhance the balanced trade to Rs. 305 million (US$ 42 million) worth of exports each way during the first year of the deal.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​
 
www.thedailystar.net

Dhaka, Delhi to further boost travel of nationals from both sides

Bangladesh and India have agreed to further strengthen the bilateral Revised Travel Arrangement (RTA) to facilitate movement of nationals from both sides
www.thedailystar.net www.thedailystar.net

Dhaka, Delhi to further boost travel of nationals from both sides

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Photo: UNB

Bangladesh and India have agreed to further strengthen the bilateral Revised Travel Arrangement (RTA) to facilitate movement of nationals from both sides.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to continue promoting people-to-people exchanges.

The agreement came at the 4th round of India-Bangladesh Consular Dialogue in New Delhi on Wednesday, according to a message received here.

Dr Aman Puri, joint secretary (CPV), led the Indian delegation, while the delegation from Bangladesh side was led by Rokebul Haque, director general (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The India-Bangladesh Consular dialogue mechanism was instituted in 2017 with a purpose to strengthen people to people contacts by having a regular channel of communication on consular, visa and mutual legal assistance cooperation matters between India and Bangladesh.

The two sides held wide-ranging discussions on mechanisms to strengthen coordination and cooperation on consular issues, visa matters, repatriation, MLAT and Extradition cases, etc.

They agreed to hold the next round of the dialogue in Dhaka on a mutually convenient date.​
 
thefinancialexpress.com.bd

India now wants to run Mongla port

Neighbouring India now wants to operate Bangladesh's second-seaport Mongla where it already enjoys transhipment facility to transport cargoes to and from its landlocked north-eastern states, sources said. The proposal is being seen as part of their expanding footprint in strategically import
thefinancialexpress.com.bd thefinancialexpress.com.bd

India now wants to run Mongla port
Currently enjoys trade transhipment
SYFUL ISLAM
Published :
Jun 01, 2024 00:02
Updated :
Jun 01, 2024 00:02

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Neighbouring India now wants to operate Bangladesh's second-seaport Mongla where it already enjoys transhipment facility to transport cargoes to and from its landlocked north-eastern states, sources said.

The proposal is being seen as part of their expanding footprint in strategically important Asian ports.

To pursue the plan, a delegation of India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), an entity under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, visited the Mongla seaport, days before striking a long-term deal to operate Chabahar port in Iran in mid-May.

In April this year, India also secured right to operate Sittwe Port in Myanmar, which will also be managed by IPGL.

Managing Director of IPGL Sunil Mukundan led the Indian delegation to Mongla port where he expressed interest in operating the seaport. The delegation members included other high officials from the IPGL and also some officials from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

They had a meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Md Firoz Al Wahid, Chief Engineer (Mechanical & Electrical), Mongla Port Authority, and his team after visiting the jetties and other facilities of the port.

Contacted, Mr Wahid told the FE Thursday that the Indian delegation expressed interest in operating the port.

"We welcomed their offer and asked them to submit their proposal in writing," he said.

Mr Wahid said once received, the port authority would evaluate the pros and cons of the proposal before taking a decision.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​
 
thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Looking forward to working together to further strengthen people-centric partnership with Bangladesh: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her warm wishes following his election victory. "India and Bangladesh share historic relations, which have seen unprecedented growth in the last decade," Modi said. In a message shared through X, formerly known as Tw
thefinancialexpress.com.bd thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Looking forward to working together to further strengthen people-centric partnership with Bangladesh: Modi
Published :
Jun 05, 2024 23:22
Updated :
Jun 05, 2024 23:22
1717632017977.png


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her warm wishes following his election victory.

"India and Bangladesh share historic relations, which have seen unprecedented growth in the last decade," Modi said.

In a message shared through X, formerly known as Twitter, Modi said he looks forward to working together to further strengthen the people-centric partnership between Bangladesh and India, reports UNB.

Narendra Modi invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his government, to be held June 8.

Sheikh Hasina accepted the invitation.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated Narendra Modi on the resounding victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) inLok Sabah elections.

"As the leader of the largest democracy in the world, you carry the hopes and aspirations of the people of India," she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a congratulatory telephone call from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the victory of NDA in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, according to Press Information Bureau of India.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate the Prime Minister Modi, reflecting the warmth and personal rapport between the two leaders, it said.

The two leaders pledged to continue working together to further deepen the historic and close ties under the renewed mandate towards achieving under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Smart Bangladesh 2041.

They acknowledged the significant improvements achieved in the lives of the people of both countries in the last decade and looked forward to further enhancing the transformative relationship across all domains that include economic and development partnership, energy security, connectivity including digital linkages and people-to-people contacts among others.​
 

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