UPSC Articles
INTERNATIONAL / SECURITY
Topic: General Studies 2,3:
- India and its neighbourhood
India – Bangladesh
Context: The Bangladesh marks its liberation war victory day on December 16, it is a good time to look at India-Bangladesh ties.
- Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia.
- Between 2009-10 and 2015-16, the trade deficit grew in India’s favour at a staggering 164.4%.
- FDI from India to Bangladesh is $3.11 billion, including Reliance’s $642-million 745 MW gas-fired project and Adani’s $400 million in Mirsarai Economic Zone.
- Today, India and Bangladesh are better connected and goods are transported by road, rail and river routes using Bangladeshi vessels, trucks and railway.
- Recent agreements allow India to ship goods through Mongla port road, rail, and water routes.
Issues
- The border remains sensitive. 294 Bangladeshis were killed on the Indo-Bangla border.
- Water remains another difficult issue. Bangladeshis have observed the tug-of-war on the Teesta water-sharing issue between the Centre and state.
- India’s controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) have created a negative impression in Bangladesh of India’s intent.
- Bangladesh is China’s second-largest arms export destination. Chinese firms have been outbidding their Indian counterparts in infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
- If Indo-Bangla relations are to move to “newer heights”, then unresolved issues have to be dealt with soon.
