India-Bangladesh Alliance Remains Cordial and Will Become More Consolidated in Future

 

India Bangladesh relations always remain pleasant and cordial till date. It dates back to around 53 years of long drawn struggle. Once upon a time both nations were under British colony. Later on with impact of Independence of the nation along with partition of the nation on August 14, 1947 and August 15, 1947, both nations are nowadays independent and sovereign respectively.

Such a long decades have elapsed. Changes have no doubt taken place in both nations. Along with the situations prevailing at present relation issue is vital for sides. As we are well aware during post 1947 partition there were hordes of Bengali speaking Hindu populations who migrated to Independent India. The migration continued till 1967-68. After three years from the above periods we that there was a birth of one and Bengali nation by the name of People's Republic of Bangladesh. The last named was erstwhile East Pakistan which was named after Indian Independence as well as partition of the nation. Apart from political divisions, the Bengali psyche and culture till remain same and also remain deeply embedded in the heart and mind of innumerable numbers of Bengalis in both nations. It cannot be denied that Bengali nationalism is still deeply embedded in the heart and mind of Bengalis residing in India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe.

It is both India and Bangladesh just completed their parliamentary elections. Bangladesh on January 7 and India just now completed their election formalities. Results of Indian elections are well known to all of us. Just like Bangladesh, Indian elections are closely watched by political analysts around the globe.

There is a jargon which has been spread all around the globe. It is in both India and Bangladesh the equations between ruling force and opposition one stands very much brittle and rusty during the past couple of years. Bangladesh somehow managed singlehanded. Whereas India despite ignoring the views of the opposition forces. Suffered a severe jolt at the just concluded Lok Sabha election. Narendra Modidespite his astuteness and proficiency in governance and diplomatic tacit did not pay any importance to opposition block. Also to be uttered he expressed utmost reluctance to meet the Media personnel. Sheikh Hasina despite her reluctance to meet Medias however changed her stance. Henceforth she regularly meets the press on regular basis. Also she welcomes the opponent forces to take part in the process of governance in Bangladesh.

Now judging the aftermath of Indian parliamentary election result. The verdict expressed through EVM by the vast number of Indians clearly reflects apathy towards the authoritarian ruling by BJP and NDA alliance. This has cost them dearly. Because of the partial drubbing Narendra Modi and his team along with NDA Alliance had to approach JDU (Nitish Kumar) and TDP (Chandra Babu Naidu) to be in the new Modi team. Modi has already tendered his resignation to the honourable President of India Mrs Draupadi Murmu. This coming SundayModiand his new team will be administered oath of office and secrecy by the Indian President.

As per the relations between Bangladesh and new Indian government, it can be easily comprehended that the relationship will remain as pleasant and amiable as ever. Bangladesh always maintained cordial relation with India during the tenure of Indian National Congress government. She is always keeping close watch upon the current proceedings in post post-polls Indian situation.

Cooperation between the two nations are multifarious. Such as defence, road connectivity, trade, commerce, corporate, academic and cultural ones. There are many talented Bengalis like Professor Pabitra Sarkar, Late Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Late Bijit Datta and Late Ashok Mitra. All of them are and had close associations with Bangladesh. That is the reason relationship with Bangladesh will be more strengthened in the upcoming days of our life.

Now coming to the areas of collaboration more deeply. Let me touch upon broadly on this pertinent issue. India and Bangladesh always agree to bilateral cooperation. At present both nations have decided to emphasise upon expansion on road connectivity, expansion of railway network, collaboration in science and technology, corporate and academic collaborations. Also it is found that books on all subjects which are published by different publishers of Bangladesh have a special market. Interesting part to be noted is that publishers of Bangladesh have started books in English language. It is truly a unique phenomenon as per modern era is concerned.

About Bengali language books I find that it is popular in Indian city of Kolkata. Among the noted Bangladeshi authors I feel that Humayun Ahmed, Mohammad Zafar Iqbal, Imdadul Haq Milon, Syed Shamsul Haq, Syed Badrul Ahsan, Professor Anisuzzaman, Haider Ali Khan etc have all attained household names in Kolkata plus other parts of the state. This is one kind of collaboration which may be referred to as cultural collaboration. In Kolkata during the time of Kolkata International Book Fair Bangladesh is accorded special privilege to set up an exclusive stall. Also in College Square hub of Kolkata, separate Bangladesh book fair is held. The Kolkata readers are ardent fan of Bangladeshi writers. Hence the business is more or less encouraging. Previously the sale of books was much higher but after the occurrence of Covid-19 business of Bangladeshi books have dropped considerably.

Apart from the above, India and Bangladesh are eager to develop expansion of business through river transport. Bangladesh is more eager to utilise maximum India’s North Eastern part through the above. The Bengali Hindus who migrated to India after Independence and partition now settled in Assam and North Eastern states. They are eager to develop river transport business between two nations.

Another vital issue between the two nations is not yet solved. It is nothing but the long standing Teesta River sharing issue. The Union government of India is eager but the government of West Bengal is not at all agreeing. Judging by the current political stalemate prevailing in India, there is shade of doubt in regard to solving the Teesta water issue with Bangladesh.

In summation of the above discourse, my feeling is that India Bangladesh relationship is on a sound wicket. Not only the intellectuals, but also the diplomats are playing prolific roles. This cannot be denied from the core of our heart and mind.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.