Bangladesh and India: Friendship, Tensions, and a Complex Border Relationship
Introduction
The relationship between Bangladesh and India is rooted in shared history, cultural ties, and a complex geography marked by one of the longest borders in the world. Following Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971, with substantial support from India, the two neighbors forged a close partnership. Yet, despite a foundation of friendship, various issues—including border security, water sharing, migration, and trade—often create friction between the two countries. Today, the Bangladesh-India relationship is a multifaceted one, balancing cooperation with tension as both nations navigate their unique challenges and aspirations on the South Asian stage.
Historical Context: A Shared Past and Bangladesh’s Independence
India and Bangladesh’s relationship began in the context of shared struggle. In 1971, Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) fought a brutal war of independence against West Pakistan, with India playing a crucial role in its liberation. Indian military and diplomatic support helped the newly formed nation of Bangladesh break free from Pakistani rule, and the victory fostered a spirit of friendship between the two countries. Bangladesh’s independence, however, also introduced new border challenges, with the two countries suddenly sharing a complex 4,096-kilometer border marked by enclaves, rivers, and cross-border communities.
Over the years, Bangladesh-India relations have oscillated between cooperation and tension, influenced by shifting political landscapes and regional dynamics. While India often views Bangladesh as a natural ally in South Asia, Dhaka’s relationship with New Delhi remains cautious, balancing its ties with India and other regional powers such as China.
Border Challenges: Security, Migration, and the Enclaves Exchange
The shared border between Bangladesh and India is one of the most intricate in the world. Historically, the boundary was riddled with enclaves—small pockets of one country’s territory inside the other. These enclaves posed significant administrative and human rights challenges for residents, who were often cut off from basic services and legal rights. In 2015, the two countries completed a historic land swap, exchanging 162 enclaves and simplifying their border for the first time since independence. This resolution was hailed as a diplomatic success, symbolizing the potential for peaceful solutions to complex border issues.
However, the border remains a focal point for security concerns, smuggling, and migration. Bangladeshis often cross into India in search of work or due to economic hardship, sparking political controversies in India, especially in the bordering states of West Bengal and Assam. This migration is frequently portrayed as a security issue, with Indian authorities increasing border fencing, surveillance, and patrols. India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has been criticized by human rights organizations for excessive force, with incidents of shootings along the border raising tensions between the two countries.
The Rohingya Refugee Crisis: A Shared Regional Challenge
The Rohingya crisis has added a layer of complexity to Bangladesh-India relations. Since 2017, Bangladesh has hosted nearly a million Rohingya refugees who fled violence and persecution in Myanmar. While India expressed initial support for Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts, it has avoided taking a strong stance, prioritizing its relationship with Myanmar over the refugee issue. Moreover, India’s own policy toward Rohingya refugees has been restrictive, with authorities deporting some Rohingyas and tightening restrictions.
The refugee crisis poses an economic and security challenge for Bangladesh, which has repeatedly called on regional powers, including India, to help in finding a solution. India’s cautious approach has strained relations, as Bangladesh perceives India’s response as insufficient in light of its immense burden in hosting the Rohingya. This issue underscores the differing priorities of the two countries and the broader regional complexities of refugee management and security.
Water Sharing: The Teesta River Dispute
Water sharing, particularly over the Teesta River, remains a long-standing point of contention between Bangladesh and India. The Teesta River, which flows from the Indian state of Sikkim into Bangladesh, is a crucial source of irrigation for both countries. Bangladesh, however, argues that it receives an insufficient share of water, particularly during the dry season, which impacts agriculture and drinking water access in the country’s northwestern regions.
The two countries have engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations, and a tentative water-sharing agreement was reached in 2011. However, the agreement remains unsigned, largely due to opposition from the Indian state of West Bengal, which fears that releasing more water to Bangladesh would harm its own agricultural sector. The Teesta issue reflects the complex interplay between national and state interests within India, as well as the challenges of managing transboundary water resources amid growing environmental and population pressures.
Economic Relations: Trade, Connectivity, and Regional Integration
Trade is a cornerstone of the Bangladesh-India relationship, with India being one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners. However, the trade balance remains skewed in India’s favor, as Bangladesh imports far more from India than it exports. To address this imbalance, both countries have been working to improve bilateral trade arrangements, with India granting duty-free access to Bangladeshi goods and supporting connectivity projects aimed at reducing logistical barriers.
Cross-border connectivity projects, including new road, rail, and river routes, aim to enhance economic ties and link Bangladesh to northeastern India, which remains economically isolated. The 2018 launch of the Maitree Express train service between Dhaka and Kolkata and the operationalization of inland waterway routes have bolstered these efforts, easing cross-border travel and cargo transport. Additionally, Bangladesh has emerged as a critical player in India’s “Act East” policy, as it provides India with a transit route to Southeast Asia.
These economic collaborations highlight the mutual benefits of regional integration and underscore Bangladesh’s strategic importance to India’s economic and security objectives. However, the benefits of these projects are not always evenly felt within Bangladesh, leading to periodic criticisms that India reaps more advantages from the relationship.
Geopolitics and the Influence of China
China’s growing influence in South Asia adds another layer of complexity to Bangladesh-India relations. As part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has invested significantly in Bangladesh, funding infrastructure projects, ports, and power plants. Dhaka views Chinese investment as a crucial driver of economic development, but India remains wary of Beijing’s regional ambitions. Bangladesh’s acceptance of Chinese financing has fueled Indian concerns over encirclement by Chinese interests, as India perceives the BRI as a challenge to its influence in the region.
The strategic port of Chittagong, where Chinese companies have invested, exemplifies the dual pressures facing Bangladesh. While the port’s development is economically beneficial, India worries that it could serve as a node in China’s “String of Pearls” strategy, a network of ports in South Asia that Beijing could potentially leverage for strategic purposes. Bangladesh has managed to balance its relationships with both powers, yet the intensifying rivalry between China and India will continue to shape its foreign policy decisions.
Security Cooperation and Counterterrorism Efforts
Bangladesh and India have increasingly cooperated on security issues, particularly in combating terrorism and insurgency. India has long faced separatist movements in its northeastern states, and militants have occasionally used Bangladesh’s border regions as safe havens. In recent years, Bangladesh has cracked down on such activities, handing over Indian insurgents and increasing intelligence-sharing with New Delhi.
This cooperation reflects a shared interest in regional stability, as both countries have experienced violent extremism. Bangladesh’s proactive stance in counterterrorism has strengthened its partnership with India, reinforcing New Delhi’s trust in Dhaka as a reliable ally on security matters. These efforts are critical for the stability of both nations and underscore the mutual benefits of collaboration on security issues.
Future Prospects: Managing Tensions and Deepening Partnership
The future of Bangladesh-India relations will depend on both nations’ ability to manage their differences while building on areas of mutual interest. As Bangladesh’s economy grows, Dhaka is likely to seek a more balanced relationship with India, one that respects its sovereignty and acknowledges its economic contributions. Greater efforts to resolve issues like water sharing and migration, and to address concerns about border security, will be essential for a sustainable partnership.
For India, Bangladesh remains a strategic ally within South Asia, especially as it seeks to counterbalance China’s influence. New Delhi’s investments in connectivity, trade, and security cooperation demonstrate its commitment to a close partnership. However, India’s policymakers will need to remain sensitive to Bangladesh’s domestic and regional concerns, avoiding perceptions of overreach or dominance.
Conclusion: A Partnership of Pragmatism and Potential
The Bangladesh-India relationship stands as a model of complex but productive bilateral relations in South Asia. Despite historical grievances and recurring tensions, the two countries have built a partnership rooted in pragmatism, economic cooperation, and shared security interests. This relationship is essential not only for the stability and prosperity of both nations but also for the broader South Asian region, which faces challenges from climate change, economic inequality, and political volatility.
As Bangladesh and India continue to navigate their partnership, they have an opportunity to deepen regional integration, promote sustainable development, and build a cooperative framework for addressing shared challenges. By investing in mutual respect, addressing grievances, and prioritizing dialogue, Bangladesh and India can look forward to a future of strengthened ties and enduring friendship, setting a positive example for neighboring nations in an increasingly interconnected world.
Apocalypse Now Threedux: World War Thr33 
Leave a comment