INDIA AND BANGLADESH RELATION

International Relations
India and Bangladesh Relations
Why in News?
India Bangladesh relations came into spotlight with PM’s historic visit to the country on the
occasion of Bangladesh’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.
The Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Sarkar, proposed a bridge connecting Bangladesh
with India on the Feni river be built. The NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi accepted this proposal. This bridge over Feni river was inaugurated by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on March 9 virtually. The inauguration of the 1.9-kilometer long bridge
connecting Sabroom, the southern end of Tripura to Bangladesh’s Ramgarh before this visit,
would mean a lot for diplomatic and strategic relations between the two countries.
Agreements during the visit
-Prime Minister Modi presented 109 ambulances and 12 lakh corona vaccine doses from
India to the Bangladeshi PM.
-Five bilateral agreements are expected to be signed between India and Bangladesh. These
agreements will be related to the construction of infrastructural facilities and this could
lead to large scale investment to Bangladesh.
-These agreements took place between the two countries in the presence of PM Narendra
Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. PM also initiated for India’s greater
participation in infrastructure development of Rooppur nuclear power plant being built in
Bangladesh after bilateral talks. They announced the running of the new Mithali Express train
on the Haldibari-Chilghati rail route between the two countries. This train will run between
Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri.
-Also, the work of building a memorial in memory of the martyrs of the Indian Army in
Bangladesh was also inaugurated by both the Prime Ministers. There is also an agreement on
how India will cooperate with Bangladesh in the field of trade and IT infrastructure.
History
India helped in Bangladesh independence in 1971 but had to feed and shelter more than one
crore people due to civil war in East Pakistan, as India had no choice. However, in 1971,
India also carried out a diplomatic campaign among the world community about violence and
bloodshed in East Pakistan. When the attack took place, India responded militarily. Five
thousand of its soldiers were martyred. On 16 December 1971, 93,000 Pakistani soldiers
surrendered to the Joint Command of India and resulting in birth of Bangladesh.
Important Points-India-Bangladesh are common members of SAARC, BIMSTEC, IORA and the
Commonwealth.
-India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of border; longest land boundary that India shares
with any of its neighbors
-The Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) signed in 2011 aims to synergize the
efforts of both the Border Guarding Forces for checking cross border illegal activities and
crimes as well as for maintenance of peace and tranquility along the India-Bangladesh border.
-India and Bangladesh share 54 common rivers.
-The Ganga Waters Treaty signed in 1996 for sharing of waters of river Ganga during lean
season (January 1-May 31) is working satisfactorily.
-The first Trade Agreement between India and Bangladesh was signed in 1972.
-India has provided duty free quota free access to Bangladesh on all tariff lines except
tobacco and alcohol under South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) since 2011.
-In addition to LOC funds, Government of India also provides grant assistance to Bangladesh
for projects under ‘Aid to Bangladesh’