On the first day of her four-day visit to India, Bangladesh Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina said on Monday that although the two countries “may have problems,” these can be “solved through discussion,” noting that India is a “friendly country” with whom Bangladesh shares a “very good relationship.”
The PM was referring to a number of thorny issues in bilateral ties, including border infiltration, water sharing, and the Rohingya Muslim refugee crisis.
In fact, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said last December that the highest number of cross-border incursions over the past three years had been recorded along the country’s 4,095-kilometre-long border with Bangladesh. This has sparked concerns about human and drug trafficking.
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is warmly welcomed by MoS Railways and Textiles @DarshanaJardosh on her arrival in New Delhi for a State Visit.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 5, 2022
The visit will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/2VRIC7NI7V
Of this, 1,116 kilometres rest along their 54 shared rivers, which has resulted in numerous water disputes, particularly over the Teesta River. Though the two countries signed the Land Boundary Agreement in 2015, they remain in dispute over the sharing of several rivers, particularly the Teesta River, which runs through the northern region of West Bengal. In fact, New Delhi and Dhaka have been discussing the Teesta Water Sharing Treaty for over a decade, with no progress since the deal was called off following staunch opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Hasina told ANI in an interview prior to her trip that water to the country had been coming from India, therefore, “India should show more broadness,” as “both the countries will be beneficiaries.” “Sometimes our people suffered a lot because of this need of water. Especially Teesta, we could not go for harvest and so many problems take place. So I think it should be solved but, yes we found that the Prime Minister is very, you know, eager to solve this problem,” Hasina said.
Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 5, 2022
The warmth and frequency of our leadership level contacts is a testimony to our close neighborly partnership. pic.twitter.com/bJpheOAyzp
India is also concerned about the conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state spilling over into its borders, given that neighbouring Bangladesh houses roughly one million Rohingya refugees in camps, particularly given the extremely poor living conditions at these camps.
To this end, Senior Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen revealed that Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had told Hasina that New Delhi is “keeping an eye on the unrest being created” in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, which is home to a large number of Rohingya. Momen noted that “Everyone has that apprehension.”
Furthermore, Bangladesh’s Hindu minority has been threatened with violence, including recurring mob attacks that result in brutal murders, rapes, and homes being burned down.
Delhi decked up in Indian, Bangladeshi colors to Welcome Bangladesh PM Hasina pic.twitter.com/nySm3Emirw
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) September 5, 2022
Hasina attempted to downplay these concerns in the ANI interview, noting that Bangladesh is a “secular country” with “religious harmony” apart from “one or two incidents.” She reassured that her government has taken and will continue to take “immediate action” in such instances.
Moreover, she attempted to deflect the blame to India, arguing that “even [in] India also sometimes minorities suffered.
Despite these tensions, however, Momen stressed that bilateral ties remain “very good.”
In this regard, the two sides on Monday introduced proposals to enhance roadway connectivity between the neighbouring countries. Hasina said that projects that furthered the prosperity of the people of Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, and Nepal, such as the BBIN Initiative, must be prioritised.
“This connectivity means not only physical connectivity, there is also energy connectivity, people to people connectivity,” Momen remarked, noting that neighbouring countries can assist each other in electricity generation.
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina arrives in New Delhi, Lavani dancers perform a welcome number for her, she poses for a photograph with them. Her four day visit is packed with meetings, signing of bilateral agreements and visit to Sufi shrines pic.twitter.com/YWNN5Ju0M1
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) September 5, 2022
During her stay in the country from September 5 to 8, the PM is also expected to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankar, and hold bilateral discussions with PM Narendra Modi.
The two sides are expected to sign up to seven agreements. including on water management, railways, science and technology, and information and broadcasting. In fact, it is thought that they will sign an MoU on a water-sharing agreement for the Kushira River. Momen noted that a water treaty on the Ganges river could also be signed in the near future.
Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown from $9 billion to $18 billion over the last five years, with Bangladesh becoming India’s largest trade partner in South Asia and its fourth-largest export destination. It is also India’s number one development partner, with contracts totalling over $2 billion. In a bid to further strengthen trade ties, Hasina met with Adani Group chairman and founder Gautam Adani, the world’s third-richest person.
It is an honour to have met Hon PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina in Delhi. Her vision for Bangladesh is inspirational and stunningly bold.
— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) September 5, 2022
We are committed to commissioning our 1600 MW Godda Power Project and dedicated transmission line to Bangladesh by Bijoy Dibosh, 16 Dec 2022. pic.twitter.com/LySohNBSrV
Hasina’s last visit to the country was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, in October 2019.
Commenting on the visit, a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last Thursday noted that “in the recent years, both sides have sustained high level of engagement, including at the highest level.” It added that PM Hasina’s visit “will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries based on strong historical and cultural ties and mutual trust and understanding.”
Despite their issues, the Indian EAM has previously underlined the importance of Bangladesh in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy,” through which New Delhi seeks to develop closer ties with smaller countries in its immediate vicinity.
In response, Bangladeshi leadership has declared that India is “the most important neighbour for Bangladesh.” To this end, the 8th round of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission will be held in Bangladesh in 2023.