About: India-Bangladesh Relations

 About: India-Bangladesh Relations

• India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as a separate and independent state and established diplomatic relations with the country immediately after its independence in December 1971.
  
  
• The relationship between India and Bangladesh is rooted in history, culture, language and shared values of secularism, democracy, and many other commonalities between the two countries.
  
  

Bilateral institutional mechanisms:

• There are more than 50 bilateral institutional mechanisms between India and Bangladesh in the areas of security, trade & commerce, power & energy, transport & connectivity, science and technology, defence, rivers & maritime affairs etc.
  
  
• A Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) led by the Ministers of Foreign/External Affairs coordinates and oversees implementation of initiatives taken between the two countries as well as explores newer avenues for cooperation
  
  

 

Security & Border Management

• India and Bangladesh share 4096 km of border, which is the longest land boundary that India shares with any of its neighbours.
  
  
• A number of agreements related to security cooperation have been signed between both the countries.
  
  
• The Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) signed in 2011 aims to check cross border illegal activities and crimes, and maintain peace and tranquility along the border.
  
  

Sharing of River Waters:

• India and Bangladesh share 54 common rivers. A bilateral Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) is working since 1972 to maintain communication between the two countries to maximize benefits from common river systems.
  
  
• The Ganga Waters Treaty signed in 1996 for sharing of waters of river Ganga during lean season (January 1-May 31) is also working satisfactorily.
  
  

Bilateral Trade and Investment:

• Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown steadily over the last decade.
  
  
• India has provided duty free access to Bangladesh under South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) since 2011.
  
  
• Indian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Bangladesh reached US$ 88 million in 2015-16.
  
  
• Further, 13 agreements worth around US$ 10 billion of mainly Indian investment in power and energy sectors in Bangladesh were signed in 2017.
  
  
• India’s exports to Bangladesh in the period July 2016 – March 2017 stood at US$ 4489.30 million and imports from Bangladesh during FY 2016-17 stood at US$ 672.40 million.
  
  
• Four Border Haats, two each in Tripura and Meghalaya, have been established for the benefit of bordering communities. Additional Border Haats on the India-Bangladesh border are under consideration.
  
  

India’s Economic Assistance to Bangladesh:

• India has extended 3 Lines of Credits to Bangladesh amounting to US$ 8 billion. This makes Bangladesh the largest recipient of LOC funds from India till date.
  
  
• A line of credit is a credit (borrowing) facility given by a bank or other financial institution to a government, business or individual customer. It is effectively a source of funds that a borrower can rely on, when it needs money.
  
  
• In addition to LOC funds, India also provides grant assistance to Bangladesh for projects under ‘Aid to Bangladesh’.
  
  
• Projects such as construction of school/college buildings, laboratories, deep tube wells, community centres, renovation of historical monuments/buildings etc have been financed by India under this programme.
  
  

Connectivity:

• India-Bangladesh is a good example of connectivity through all modes of transport.
  
  
• The Protocol on Inland Water Trade and Transit (PIWTT) has been operational since 1972. It permits movement of goods over vessels from India through the river systems of Bangladesh on eight specific routes.
  
  
• The movement of goods by road is operationalised through 36 functional Land Customs Stations (LCSs) and 2 Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) along the border.
  
  
• There are four Broad Gauge inter-country rail links between the two countries that are operational.
  
  
• There are regular bus services between Kolkata-Dhaka, Shillong-Dhaka and Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka.
  
  

Cultural Exchanges:

• The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), is a cultural centre of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations of India in Bangladesh.
  
  
• Inaugurated in 2010, IGCC regularly organizes programmes covering a wide-range of cultural activities.
  
  
• The IGCC also holds regular training courses in Yoga, Hindi, Hindustani Classical Music, Manipuri Dance, Kathak and Painting.

Indian community in Bangladesh:

• Around 10,000 Indians are estimated to be living in Bangladesh. Most of the Indians are engaged in Ready Made Garment (RMG) sector or as top professionals in multinational corporations.
  
  
• Around 3000 Indian students are also pursuing medical courses in different Universities/colleges in Bangladesh.
  
  

 International Relations