Political Linkages Essential for Pursuit of Long-Term Gains

India and Bangladesh are two friendly neighbours. Despite a common historical past, bilateral relations have not always been evenly poised over the past four decades. There have been several outstanding issues that have preoccupied the two states, and prevented them from realising fully the bilateral potential. As is well known, Indian concerns vis-a-vis Bangladesh have revolved around security issues, especially over the latter's covert support to Indian north eastern insurgents and militant groups. On the other hand, Bangladesh has longstanding grievances over the gaping trade deficit, unresolved water-sharing disputes, and border related issues.All these concerns notwithstanding, Bangladesh and India have continued to maintain contact and engagement at various levels. Common ties between the two countries have included special social and cultural linkages leading to considerable people-to-people contact that is un-paralleled in the South Asian neighbourhood. Except for a short period of five years (2001-06), instances of open hostility have been few and far between in the span of forty years (1972-2013). While the immediate memories of this phase tend to colour the present perception of bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh, a longer term view clearly reveals the existence of sustained growth in the quantum of bilateral trade and commerce, including a clear upswing in socio-cultural engagements. Irrespective of periods of limited state-to-state relations during certain phases, interdependence at the borders and bilateral activities-especially in the informal sectors-have substantially increased. The lack of official and governmental ties has not been able to influence, or adversely affect, the multi-layered relationship that the people of India and Bangladesh have shared, and continue to enjoy.Before examining what lies in store for India and Bangladesh, we need to make an assessment of present state of bilateral ties. Post the deep schism suffered during the last BNP coalition government in Dhaka, bilateral relations between the two countries witnessed an upswing (since 2007), and significantly improved once the Awami League based coalition government assumed office in 2009. The last five years have not only been friendly but also extremely fruitful, covering grounds hitherto unexplored. However, whether the neighbours have been able to leverage their unique positions, and maximise the opportunities that were created, remains unclear.With the Awami League coalition assuming power in January 2009, New Delhi and Dhaka worked quickly to maximise on convergences and work out their differences. The visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina to India in January 2010 opened up a panorama of cooperation. The two states took a leap of faith with the joint communique that was signed during the visit. The promise of shared prosperity became the cornerstone of Indo- Bangladesh bilateral ties from then on. Bangladesh's willingness to address India's security concerns immediately signalled a friendly government in Dhaka. New Delhi also reciprocated by finding ways to address some of Bangladesh's long standing demands: it showed readiness to re-examine trade barriers, willingness to consider Bangladesh's fears on Tipaimukh dam and border conflicts, and also agreed to Bangladesh's demand for transit to Nepal and Bhutan. All these were reflective of an attitudinal shift.Quite clearly, there has been a break from the past in the way India and Bangladesh now view each other. With Indian security concerns being addressed in full measure, India has been willing to meet squarely all other outstanding issues, including trade, water sharing, and border issues that Bangladesh has constantly raised. The two sides have decided to chart out a new path. The agreements of the joint communique of January 2010 reflect new areas of bilateral cooperation, and the Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development signed by the two Prime Ministers on September 6, 2011, have laid the foundation of the new trajectory India and Bangladesh would embark upon. …