INDO-BANGLA TIES
Delhi think-tank warns against complacency
Indian defence analysts have cautioned the Indian government against
complacency in taking India-Bangladesh ties towards a new heights and
move towards a strategic partnership.
A taskforce report—'India and Bangladesh: Moving Towards
Convergence'—which was released on Friday by the leading New
Delhi-based think-tank Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses or
IDSA, also recommended that faster implementation of the issues stated
in the 2010 joint communiqué including security, trade deficit and
border issues is accelerated.
On the eve of prime minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka on Sept
6-7, the report said, "The positive momentum in bilateral relations
generated during prime minister Sheikh Hasina's visit must be
continued."
The report takes note of the strategic importance of the neighbouring
countries for each other and argues that the Manmohan's visit provides
"an opportunity to take India-Bangladesh relations to a higher
trajectory by overcoming mutual suspicions and displaying a practical
will to convert their ties into a strategic partnership".
The panel of IDSA scholars emphasised that the legacy issues including
border demarcation, enclaves and adverse possessions, Teen Bigha
corridor flyover, river water sharing -- which have 'bedevilled'
relations between the countries -- should be settled at the earliest
possible.
They recommended that the two sides should explore new areas of
cooperation in climate change, environment, agricultural research,
water management, remote sensing, IT and communications technologies,
marine technologies, medicine and health etc.
"Linkages between appropriate institutions can be established. The
focus should be on joint research and capacity building. Both
countries should work jointly for meeting the challenge of pandemics
and water contaminated with arsenic," the report said.
Over the water-sharing issue, the panel suggested the government that
since Bangladesh would be seeking an agreement on river water sharing,
and both countries have "nearly reached an agreement on sharing of the
water of Teesta and four other rivers, minor differences should not be
allowed to come in the way and an agreement should be signed".
A draft on the Teesta deal has already been finalised.
SECURITY
Lauding Bangladesh for taking necessary measures to address India's
security concerns, the report said: "India has shown sensitivity to
Bangladeshi concerns and come out with a comprehensive assistance and
cooperation package for Bangladesh. These moves have created the
environment for transformation of ties between the countries."
IDSA thinks security cooperation with Bangladesh is commendable, "but
it needs to be institutionalised so that the matter is not limited to
any particular regime".
It further emphasised issues information sharing and joint patrolling
along the border. "The US-Mexico model on the joint management of
border can be considered."
Pointing at Bangladesh-proposed South Asia Task Force on terrorism, in
which it should play a lead role, the IDSA said, "A counter-terrorism
centre based in Dhaka can be set up to help the task force. India
could offer to fund the centre."
The group said that the two countries enhance cooperation in the
military sphere, including in search and rescue, joint patrolling of
piracy infested areas of the Bay of Bengal, capacity building and
joint exercises. "Defence cooperation will build mutual confidence,"
it observed.
It also suggested setting up a dialogue mechanism involving the
governments as well as non-governmental organisations working in the
area of de-radicalisation.
"Fundamentalism and extremism are a shared threat. Both sides should
work closely to meet this challenge," it added.
TRADE
Putting stress on transit, the report said, "Connectivity should be a
top priority. Both countries should work to operationalise it as soon
as possible. A public campaign as to why connectivity will be
advantageous for the people on both sides can be launched."
Regional countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand would be
benefited from trade and transit connectivity between the two
neighbouring countries.
The report also called on the two countries to redress the trade
issues and strengthen economic linkages and suggests Bangladesh, in
particular, to make special efforts in attracting Indian investment.
"India could consider extending assistance to Bangladesh for
renovating and modernising its power generation, transmission and
distribution infrastructure."
It also suggested the Indian government to persuade Bangladesh "to
acknowledge the problem of illegal migration". Both sides should try
to create an environment where this issue can be amicably dealt with.
"Innovative methods like work permits can be considered."
http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=204931&cid=2
Full Text: http://www.idsa.in/system/files/book_indiabangrelations.pdf
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