India-Bangladesh Relations: launching newer heights with the growing connectivity

With Sheikh Hasina returning to power in Bangladesh for a fourth straight term, what are the prospects for Bangladesh’s ties with India? Already the most consequential neighbourhood partnership, would it be enough to focus only on consolidating the gains of the relationship thus far, or should the two countries look for newer peaks to climb. Considering these questions the Ananta Centre hosted a conversation between the Bangladesh High Commissioner Md. Mustafizur Rahman and Mr. Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, Diplomatic Editor, The Economic Times.

The conversation has covered some of the important themes such as Development, Bilateral, security, energy, multilateral relations, water, democracy, expectations, and achievements. It has common development goals with its neighbours, primarily with India. The relationship with India extends beyond geographic proximity. It also highlighted that the reopening of old rail links; Dhaka to different parts of India has been a vital progress, prioritises India’s Line of Credit for infrastructure and projects (BBIN, BIMSTEC – a master plan for transport connectivity) and both countries have similar positions on trade, emphasised capitalising CEPA.

This conversation has also noted that Bangladesh’s growth is seen as a catalyst for India’s vibrancy through an increase in tourists from Bangladesh, more patients from Bangladesh in Indian hospitals, more agricultural imports from India and considerable progress in energy cooperation. Some expectations have also been highlighted in the conversation such as to be making Bangladesh self- reliant. The bigger focus is on investments. There is high hope for CEPA. There was a continued emphasis on bringing in more investment to Bangladesh. There is a confidence that relation with India is unshakable and there is a commitment to democracy.