India Bangladesh Relationship: In Which Direction Is It Proceeding?

India and Bangladesh possess a long-cherished relations during the past fifty-six years. The relations are in existence since the days of liberation struggle of the year 1971 on December 16. There were vicissitudes of the relationships existing between the two nations. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation of Bangladesh, had new visions in his mind. All his noble missions went berserk following the gruesome murder of Bangabandhu. After that there was total chaos and anarchy around the nation.

Though in between there was a sort cold war prevailed between the two cordial South Asian nations. Despite ups and downs, development spree was in its fullest momentum. Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina ruled the nation with grit and gusto. The development trend continued till August 5, 2024. On this particular date, a gruesome political coup took place thereby forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to close neighbour India’s capital city New Delhi.

Now coming to the current situation in Bangladesh, it would not be hesitant on my part to interpret the current in extremely dire straits. Peace has been erased off from the citizens life. Not even the citizens of Bangladesh are later West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and various other North Eastern states of Indian Union.

The period when Dr Mohammad Yunus took charge of the position of chief advisor of the Interim Regime of Bangladesh, it was tumultuous momentum spearheading throughout the nation. Immediately and later on post assumption of office by Dr Yunus, there was multiple assurances meted out to the nation. What was the assurances given to the nation?

With the passing away of time and space, I felt that all those assurances turned out to be full of hoax and bluff. At present all those false assurances have turned out to be blasphemy and indecorous which turned this rising nation into a state of dreary and total dilapidation.

The common citizens of Bangladesh are badly crestfallen at the tide of fortune which led to utmost disaster. The sanctity of Bengali nationalism and culture has gone haywire. Starting from Bangabandhu, Kazi Nazrul, Rabindranath, all the noble legacies have turned to ashes. Even extreme radical Muslims have become totally destructive as per pleasant and cordial relations goes by.

There are cross sections of Medias in India and Bangladesh always opine pejorative views pertaining to India Bangladesh relations. Under compulsion this kind of vicious feeling is generated. But ethically speaking people like me and others will never this kind of pernicious views.

It was till August 5, 2024, relationships between India and Bangladesh have remained cordial, intimate and bilateral from multiple quarters.

Diplomats of both India and Bangladesh are trying their level best to salvage the lost ground. In the Indian capital city, New Delhi, it is well known all around the globe that academicians, retired bureaucrats, diplomats and senior journalists are trying their level best the relations from deep woods to a state of amiability and cordiality. The common citizens of both nations are always interpreting various ways and means to bolster the long-cherished cordial relations to golden heights. The role played by current Bangladeshi High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah also playing prolific roles in this regard. This was more evident on the basis of repeated interviews taken by B.B.C, India. Despite the best efforts of the above, the relations are not attaining the desired levels as per the expectations of political analysts of both nations.

Now let me touch up once again the action points to be taken in order to retrace the halcyon days of establishing cordial and bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.

The action points which need to be taken up are stated as such, emphasizing upon water diplomacy, adoption of hydrological collaborations between two nations, enhancing people to people contact for better academic and cultural collaboration, enhancement of border management to ensure better trade and security, collaboration on climate and water related issues, advancement of administrative issues for ensuring on time project execution and finally dialogue to ensure share heritage and history.

It was on June 2022, towards the end of the month, when the prestigious Padma River Multipurpose Bridge was open to the public then a connectivity route was opened by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina which linked directly with South East Asian Sub-Continent. Then a euphoric feeling has been generated among the citizens of India, Bangladesh as well as to that of other nations of the globe.

Sorrowful aspect to be noted is that the impact of August 5, 2024, coup was so deep-rooted that badly made South Asian Sub-Continent along with the mind of respective citizens all hopes and aspirations became totally bullied off. By now my respected online readers might be well aware of the reasons why I am broadly highlighting the Bangladeshi turmoil.

Now on regular political and social squabbling is going on in Bangladesh. On account of which the Indian mind has become sorrowful and crestfallen. Despite the common citizens of both nations cherish peaceful and cordial coexistence in both nations. Is it happening now? On account of the current target towards Hindu communities in Bangladesh, there has been widespread annoyance among Indian Hindus. In the North Indian states of India, we find there has been hardcore acrimony meted out people of Muslim religion. My point is that why this ill and spoliated feelings have been harped upon both Muslims and Hindus in both nations.

If the above issues are not seriously taken care of, then how will be able to achieve our coveted goals in accelerating the pace of cordial and amiable relations along with ushering in of bilateral cooperations between the two closer South Asian nations. In this regard, only aspect needs to be emphasized is that political culture in both nations should be upgraded in the upcoming days of our life. Otherwise, it will be sorry state of affairs for both nations. Though the relations at present might be alarming, but we should always raise our finger with optimism and confidence. All the political analysts, from both nations are playing prolific roles in this regard. But the role of diplomats from both nations, should not be ignored at all. However, the roles of diplomats cannot be ignored.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Calcutta, India.