Bangladesh and India are two unique neighbors. Bangladesh is surrounded by India on three sides. It has a border of 4 thousand 156 km with the country. The world’s fifth-longest land border is one of the elements of the Dumf country’s relationship. Bangladesh could not get out of dependence on India in various matters. However, the rhetoric about relations with India does not match the reality. So far, India is taking all the opportunities single handedly due to being a big country. The same was reflected in Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India.
10 MoUs were signed in the summit meeting between the two Prime Ministers. In these, as ever in India’s business, connectivity dominates. For Bangladesh, there are easy visas for medical purposes, help in conserving the Teesta river. The quality of medical care is almost at par in India and Bangladesh. There are treatment options for some complex diseases in India. In this case India’s profit figure will increase. Bangladesh wants a deal to get a share of Teesta river water. India has only made promises in this regard during the entire tenure of the present government. In this regard, after China proposed the Teesta project, India is showing interest in conserving the Teesta river. There is no guarantee of water in it. But the main Teesta project was rejected for the time being because of India. Kolkata to Chittagong and Rajshahi trains and buses will increase connectivity between the two countries. An inland container depot will be built at Sirajganj with the help of India. A survey is needed to see if there is any need for such an establishment. Because there is an allegation that India’s interests are mainly being protected in the construction of facilities funded by India. Exemption is very small for ongoing projects funded by India. As a result, there are doubts about the feasibility of implementing the new project.
Bangladesh’s main issues with India are water sharing of international rivers, filling huge trade deficit and stopping border killings. These are side cut as always. India’s officials have spoken irresponsibly about border killings. It is not improving the situation on our border. There was no robust discussion on uniform distribution of water from all rivers and elimination of trade deficits.
India boasts of being the largest democratic country in the world. But there is a long-standing accusation against the country that Bangladesh’s democracy is ineffective and that it is behind the collapse of its face. In this situation, the top leadership of the country claims that the two countries are friends of each other and will move forward together. It is mentioned that Bangladesh’s ‘Vision 2041’ and India’s ‘Developed India 2047’ will be implemented by both countries.
India’s relationship with the people of Bangladesh is not taken into consideration. They are only giving importance to the relationship with the government. The sense of deprivation that India is creating in the minds of the masses at large will not bode well for India in the long run. India has to be sincere about the interests of the people of Bangladesh to overcome this situation.