Editorial New Age 2/10/09
Not just a question of economic gains but also national pride
INDIA might exercise unwarranted control over Bangladesh’s transport system, if Dhaka allows New Delhi to invest in development of infrastructure – road, railway and river port – for transhipment of its goods through the country, so fear a number of foreign policy experts. According to a report front-paged in New Age on Thursday, the government should mobilise domestic resources to upgrade the transport infrastructure and thus keep complete control over the movement of vehicles through the country. Both their apprehension and advice appear firmly grounded in logic and geopolitical reality.
It is common knowledge that New Delhi has long been pressing Dhaka for transit/transhipment facilities and has also offered to invest in development of Bangladesh’s infrastructure. The underlying reason for its persistence is not difficult to ascertain. A transit corridor through Bangladesh would make transportation of goods from one part of India to another, especially in the northeast, easier and cost-effective. Thus, it is quite understandable why Delhi has stepped up its diplomatic oeuvres to secure a transit/transhipment agreement with Dhaka.
As one foreign policy expert has pointed out, Dhaka should, therefore, try to ‘cash in on India’s compulsion’ and ‘think about long-term funding to establish regional connectivity, not merely India connectivity.’ However, the Awami League-led government has appeared increasingly preoccupied with the Bangladesh-India connectivity more than anything else. Its single-track preoccupation has been apparent in its choice of the route that will link Bangladesh with the Asian Highway. Of three routes proposed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the government has articulated its preference for the two routes, both of which begin from and exits into India after going through Bangladesh. Its preference runs counter to the very rationale why Bangladesh should be connected with the Asian Highway, i.e. greater interconnectivity. Needless to say, the third route, which starts from India, goes through Bangladesh and enters Myanmar before linking with Southeast Asia, appears a better choice in terms of connectivity.
Worryingly still, the government has appeared somewhat secretive about its decisions and actions with regard to offering transit facilities to India. In fact, Dhaka agreed to allow India to use the Bangladesh territory to carry goods to Tripura during a meeting the foreign minister, Dipu Moni, and her Indian counterpart, SM Krisna, in New Delhi on September 8. One expects the government to table such a crucial issue for deliberation in the parliament before making any decision in this regard. Now, the government appears inclined to allow Delhi to invest in developing of infrastructure for transportation of goods from one part of India to another, so suggests the comment of a ruling party member of the parliamentary standing committee on the foreign ministry.
The government needs to realise that development of infrastructure, be it for regional connectivity or state-to-state connectivity, is not only about economic gains but also about national interest and pride. Hence, it should not make any decision that might eventually undermine the national interest and pride.
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