VisionIAS - Video Classroom Lecture

International Relations Class 03

A BRIEF RECAP OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE PREVIOUS CLASS. (01:05 PM)

PHASES OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH (01:09 PM)

1971-74: Friendly relationship: This phase marks the period immediately following Bangladesh's war of independence and its emergence as an independent nation in 1971.
India played a crucial role in supporting Bangladesh's struggle for independence against Pakistan. During this time, India and Bangladesh shared friendly and cooperative relations.
1974-2009: Relationships became challenging: This phase saw challenges and fluctuations in the India-Bangladesh relationship.
Bangladesh adopted Islam as the state religion in 1977, which was seen as a shift from its secular beginnings.
Political changes in Bangladesh, including the rule of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) between 1991 and 2006, had an impact on bilateral ties. Relations between India and Bangladesh became more complicated during this period.
Bangladesh also sought to strengthen its relations with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) during this time.
A caretaker government was in Bangladesh in 2001 and 2006.
2009 onwards: New Bonhomie:
One of the pivotal factors in this phase was the change in government in Bangladesh. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, came to power after winning the 2008 general elections.
This political shift played a crucial role in fostering better relations between the two countries.
Several key developments have contributed to this new bonhomie, including improved political ties, enhanced trade and economic cooperation, and greater connectivity through infrastructure projects such as road and rail links.
Both countries have worked on resolving long-standing issues, such as border disputes.
The improved relations have benefited both nations, promoting trade, people-to-people contact, and regional stability.

HIT: Highway, Information, and Transmission. Connectivity is linked with security.

IMPORTANCE OF BANGLADESH FOR INDIA (01:15 PM)

Location: India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km land boundary covering West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
Strategic Importance: Bangladesh's strategic importance is closely tied to its proximity to the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow strip of land connecting mainland India with the northeastern states.
This corridor is of utmost significance as it serves as a critical link for India's connectivity with the northeastern region.
Any disruption in this corridor can have significant implications for India's security and economic activities in the Northeast.
Bangladesh is an important actor in Neighbourhood First Policy and India Act East Policy.
The cooperative approach with Bangladesh is essential for promoting regional stability and development.
Close proximity with North East India, and Bangladesh is very important for the Act East Policy. Bangladesh's location offers a potential gateway for India to access Southeast Asian markets and facilitates the flow of goods and services.
Bangladesh's location along the Bay of Bengal places it strategically within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It plays a role in the evolving security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region.
India and Bangladesh have mutual interests in maintaining peace and stability in the Bay of Bengal, making Bangladesh a significant partner in addressing regional security challenges.
An important role in sub-regional Connectivity: Bangladesh's strategic location has turned it into a crucial hub for sub-regional connectivity. Its geographic proximity to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) makes it a pivotal player in the South Asian subcontinent's trade and connectivity networks.
Grid development of sub-region: Initiatives like HIT (Human, Information, and Transmission) and HIRA (Highways, Informationways, Railways, and Airways) emphasize the importance of improved connectivity.
Better infrastructure and connectivity networks not only enhance trade but also contribute to regional security and economic development.
Security issues: Issues like drug and human trafficking, insurgency, illegal migration, and terrorism are challenges that require close cooperation and coordination between India and Bangladesh.
Partners in various multi-lateral platforms: India and Bangladesh are partners in various regional and multilateral platforms, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Their collaboration in these forums helps address common challenges and promotes regional integration.
Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing economies: Bangladesh's robust economic growth has made it an attractive market for Indian businesses. With its burgeoning consumer base and investment opportunities, Bangladesh offers a significant market for Indian goods and services.
In 2020, Bangladesh created 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and gave 3 SEZs to India.
Water sharing: The sharing of rivers is a critical aspect of the bilateral relationship. India and Bangladesh share approximately 54 major and minor rivers.
Managing these transboundary waters is essential for both nations, and ongoing discussions and agreements seek to address water-related issues and ensure equitable sharing of resources.
Socio-cultural connects: Initiatives like Border Haats, student exchange programs, and cultural exchanges help strengthen the socio-cultural bonds between India and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has become one of the key destinations for India’s migrant workers. Indian Nationals working in Bangladesh sent almost $4 billion in remittances to India, making it the fifth largest destination for remittance money.
Bangladesh also contributes to the tourism industry in India.

ALLIANCE AND PARTNERSHIP: An alliance typically involves one dominant power leading a group of nations with varying levels of influence. It often implies a more hierarchical structure.
In contrast, a partnership denotes a relationship of equality and cooperation, where multiple parties collaborate based on mutual interests and respect.
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): NAM emerged during the Cold War as a strategic response by developing nations, led by India and other prominent leaders, to avoid aligning with either the United States or the Soviet Union.
NAM aimed to maintain independence, promote peace, and advance the interests of the Global South. It was not about being neutral or isolated but rather pursuing a policy of non-alignment with the superpower blocs.
Post-Cold War Relevance: The relevance of NAM has been questioned in the post-Cold War era.
With the dissolution of the bipolar world order (with the disintegration of the USSR), some have questioned whether NAM continues to serve its original purpose effectively.
However, NAM has adapted to address contemporary global challenges and remains a forum for member states to discuss common concerns.
Multi Alignment: Multi-alignment refers to a country's foreign policy strategy of cultivating good relations with multiple nations based on its national interests.
This approach allows a nation to maintain flexibility and independence in its foreign relations, free from rigid alignment with any particular camp or bloc.

LAND BORDER MANAGEMENT (02:04 PM)

LAND BOUNDARY AGREEMENT (LBA)

India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of the border, which is the longest land boundary that India shares with any of its neighbors.
Why is it in the News?
1st August 2022: The 8th anniversary of the India-Bangladesh land boundary agreement is celebrated.
Nov 2021: The Union Home Minister has said that the Northeast States will be linked by road and railway to Bangladesh in a year or two under the historic Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).

BACKGROUND (02:08 PM)

Enclaves in India and Bangladesh: Enclaves are territories completely surrounded by the territory of another country. Enclaves on both sides of the India-Bangladesh border resulted from the vague nature of the partition process.
Residents of these enclaves faced unique challenges, including issues related to citizenship, access to services, and movement across borders.
Indira-Mujib Pact of 1972: This pact aimed to resolve border-related issues between India and Bangladesh. While Bangladesh ratified it in 1974, India faced opposition from certain regions, particularly West Bengal and tribal areas in the Northeast, which delayed its ratification.
119th Amendment Bill 2013: This bill was introduced in the Indian Parliament to facilitate the implementation of the Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh.
Once the bill was passed by Parliament and received the President's assent, it became the 100th Constitutional Amendment Act. The Land Boundary Agreement involved the transfer of enclaves between the two countries, with India transferring 111 enclaves to Bangladesh in exchange for 51 enclaves.
The Land Boundary Agreement came into effect in 2015.

IMPLICATIONS OF LAND BOUNDARY AGREEMENT (02:16 PM)

It helped to secure long pending border issues, especially in areas of Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal.
This border agreement helped in reducing illegal migration, infiltration, human trafficking, and other criminal Acts.
It helped in improving the condition of stateless citizens within these enclaves.
It has improved accessibility to the underdeveloped North East States and would enhance development initiatives.
It has also enhanced our connectivity with Bangladesh and through it South East Asia.
However, the LBA remained a major concern of opposition mainly from West Bengal and tribal occupied areas of North East states.
During the swapping of enclaves, it is said that India lost 1000 acres of land. However, India still continued with this generosity because of huge implications (connecting security and development) of LBA.
Conversion of International Boundary along Kuhsiyara River into a fixed boundary.
Feni River originates in the Tripura state and flows through its southern part, including the town of Sabroom.
Feni River enters Bangladesh and eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal.
Facilitation of border fencing.

COOPERATION ON CONNECTIVITY (02:25 PM)

Connectivity is the hallmark to define Indo-Bangladesh relations.
Connectivity here involves HIT (Highway, information, Transmission).
In this regard, several agreements regarding roads, railways, and waterways have been made.
Three trains are currently running between India and Bangladesh i.e. Mitali Express between Dhaka and Siliguri, Maitri Express between Dhaka and Kolkata, and Bandhan Express between Kolkata and Khulna.
There is a fourth proposed rail link between Dhaka and Kolkata.
Recently inaugurated Padma Rail Road Bridge.
Another Rail line between Agartala and Aukhaur is to be operationalized very soon.
Air Services started along Agartala Dhaka.
Agartala Chittagong International Routes are also going to be open soon.
All these projects will be a win-win situation for both India and Bangladesh (In this regard Tripura in the North East is actually turned into a connectivity hub).
It is often said, “If Bangladesh is India-locked, Tripura is Bangladesh-locked”.

BANGLADESH-BHUTAN-INDIA-NEPAL (BBIN) MOTOR VEHICLES AGREEMENT (MVA) (02:40 PM)

Why in News (March 2021)
World Bank report named “Connecting to Thrive: Challenges and Opportunities of Transport Integration in Eastern South Asia” stated that seamless transport connectivity between India and Bangladesh has the potential to increase national income by as much as 17% in Bangladesh and 8% in India.

It was signed on 15th June 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Facilitate the unrestricted cross-border movement of cargo, passenger, and personal vehicles between BBIN countries.

ADVANTAGES OF BBIN (03:08 PM)

It will provide seamless transport of Goods and Services across the four countries.
It will increase the seamless movement of people.
It will increase the prospects of tourism and greater people-to-people connections.
This will give a boost to soft diplomacy which will further reduce the trust deficit and enable stability in the sub-region.
It would thus lead to overall grid development of the sub-region.
Increase in the income level and subsequent advantages as per the World Bank report of 2020.
BBIN could be considered as the connectivity initiative to counter the China-led OBOR in the sub-region.

CHALLENGES (03:12 PM)

The threat of terrorism.
Illegal migration, and Criminal Activities.
Threat to environmental protection.
Geopolitical instability in SAR.
BBIN could be considered a connectivity initiative to counter Chinese OBOR.

WHY BHUTAN OPTED OUT OF BBIN (03:17 PM)

The probable environmental damage is due to the seamless movement of people.
There was insecurity among the local truck owners regarding this MVA.
Therefore Bhutan’s upper house has not ratified the MVA under the BBIN.
In March 2022, the participating countries met to actualize the long-pending connectivity aspiration of connectivity.
Bhutan who has opted out of MVA took part as the observant participant.

PROTOCOL ON LAND WATER TRANSIT AND TRADE (PIWTT) (03:21 PM)

Why in News (May 2020): The second Addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade was signed.
The agreement was first signed in 1972.
Last renewed in 2015 for five years with a provision for its automatic renewal for a further period of five years.
50:50 cargo sharing by Indian and Bangladeshi vessels is permitted.
Includes new Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes (increased from 8 to 10)
Inclusion of Sonamura-Daudkandi stretch of Gumti river.
Operationalization of the Rajshahi-Dhulian-Rajshahi Route and its extension up to Aricha, Bangladesh
Declaration of new Ports of Call. A port of call is an intermediate port.
There were six Ports of Call each in India and Bangladesh under the Protocol.
Now Five new ports of call on both sides.
Advantages of Protocol on land water transit and trade (PIWTT)
Improve the connectivity of Tripura and adjoining States with India and Bangladesh's economic centers (Inclusion of Sonamura-Daudkandi stretch of Gumti river)
Augment infrastructure in Bangladesh (The operationalization of the Rajshahi-Dhulian-Rajshahi Route and its extension up to Aricha, Bangladesh )
The inclusion of new Port of Call like Jogighopa in India and Bahadurabad in Bangladesh will provide connectivity to Meghalaya, Assam, and Bhutan

BCIM (BANGLADESH CHINA INDIA MYANMAR CORRIDOR) (03:31 PM)

Why in the News?
India’s decision to skip the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) has led to the exclusion of the Bangladesh- China- India- Myanmar (BCIM) Economic corridor from the list of projects covered by the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) umbrella.
Reason:
The BCIM economic corridor aims to connect Kolkata with Kunming, the capital of the Yunnan province.

IMPORTANCE OF BCIM FOR INDIA (03:40 PM)

It will reduce the trade bottlenecks.
It will reduce the transaction cost or transport cost thereby lowering the overall price of goods and services (customer-friendly).
It will thus increase the cross-border transport of Goods and Services.
It will also increase cross-border movement of people.
It will increase the prospects of Infrastructural developments and energy projects.
It could lead to a thriving economic belt in the region.
Tourism prospects will also increase- P2P contact will increase and reduction in trust deficit.
It will also lead to poverty alleviation and overall development of the sub-region.
It could increase the potential development of the north-east state.
It could also lead to the development of Kolkata port.
It could propel India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Act East Policy.
It had the potential to offer alternate opportunities for dialogue between India and China.

IMPORTANCE OF BCIM FOR BANGLADESH (03:51 PM)

Bangladesh for almost 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserve could become a major energy exporter being part of this economic corridor.

Question: How does the development Bangladesh, China, India, and Myanmar (BCIM) project offer India an opportunity to create its own win-win relationship with China? Examine. (03:53 PM)

Answer Approach
In How we will discuss all the advantages of BCIM in totality including India-centric advantages.
An alternative platform for engagement between India and China.
No visible loss for India.
Haldibari-Chilhati rail route and Agartala-Akhaura rail line.
Significance of the Maitri Setu Project: It was inaugurated on 9th March 2021 to build an India-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge, a 1.9 Km land bridge connecting the northeast state of Tripura to Bangladesh.
Tripura would enhance connectivity in Tripura i.e. North East India and Bangladesh.
This will reduce our dependency on the Siliguri Corridor and offer an alternative path of connectivity with regard to North East.
It is useful for tapping the hydro-power potential of the Northeast.

CHALLENGE IN BICM (04:01 PM)

China in this regard cannot be fully trusted keeping in mind the security threat it poses on our western and eastern sectors.
Keeping this in mind there is an increase in geopolitical tensions between India and China which has even stalled the operationalization of this corridor.
Political instability in Myanmar might affect its operationalization in the future.
Myanmar being part of the Golden Triangle can offer the challenge regarding drug trafficking and Norco-Trade.

WAY FORWARD FOR CONNECTIVITY (04:06 PM)

There is a need to upgrade infrastructure as far as connectivity between India and Bangladesh is concerned.
India needs to prioritize the BBIN project as it can come as a counter to China’s OBOR project.
As far as the BCIM project is concerned whenever it materializes step by step approach is desirable whereas people-centric projects should be taken first e.g. education, tourism, and cottage industries so that the trust deficit can be reduced.
Efforts need to be made to emphasize the IMT project in which Bangladesh also has shown its interest.

THE TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS DISCUSSION: India-Myanmar Relations.