PM Sheikh Hasina’s India visit reflected true spirit of good neighborhood diplomacy

By Sufian Siddique*
The trade balance between Bangladesh and India has been discussed for a long time. Both countries need to reduce the trade deficit and bring harmony. Efforts towards this goal have always been made on behalf of Bangladesh. In that case, if the ongoing trade agreements and other agreements can be properly implemented, the benefits can also be obtained.
The Indian Prime Minister's comments during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India reflected the same. India has realized at this moment that Bangladesh-India good relations will not only benefit Bangladesh. Good relations will play a leading role in the development of both. In this case, the words of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have to be recalled. He said that India is the biggest market in Asia for Bangladesh. It becomes clear that the Indian market is important for Bangladesh to speed up the pace of developing Bangladesh. But there is no big brother-younger brother relationship here. The difference is that earlier there was little interest in Bangladeshi products. During the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, she met with India's Development Minister for Northeast Region Kishan Reddy. This meeting proves the importance of Bangladesh as a partner in India's development. In this regard, it is memorable. On this occasion, the infrastructure development within the two countries has already been completed. The benefits of which have already started to be received by the Indian people of the region.
It is possible to speed up the achievement of the goals through the proper implementation of the agreements made at various times regarding the economic development of Bangladesh and India.
According to the relevant statement of the Prime Minister of that country, it can be said that they have made new achievements. Of course, we have already seen some of the reality. For example, three years ago, the first shipment of cargo was carried out by Indians last August, three years after the contract was concluded for the convenience of the northern provinces of India. Last month, the first Indian ship entered the port of Mongla. And through this ship, after three years, their cargo journey took place. One container from this experimental ship went to Comilla in Assam and the other to Sylhet to Meghalaya. After that, more goods went by land. Both countries will gain benefits if Indian cargo transportation is increased using Mongla port. As their goods can reach the Indian northeastern states easily and at low cost, Bangladesh will also get revenue from them. Chittagong port is also mentioned in the agreement with India for the use of this sea port. It is said that this plan is supposed to be more beneficial to the Indian side. But it also took three years to become effective. Many people think that the initiative has been taken to complete it quickly before the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India. Whatever the reason, this is a big deal.
The connectivity facility of Bangladesh with Bhutan through Banglabandha has also come into consideration regarding transit facilities. On the other hand, as Nepal does not have a direct border with Bangladesh, it takes only about 1 hour to go to Nepal's Kankarvita by land from Bangladesh's Banglabandha border through India's Jalpaiguri Fulbari. In this case, the fact that India's counter-facilitation to Bangladesh is a sign of friendship.
Bangladesh and India are not only naturally close, but the development of relations between the two countries will play a role in the progress of both countries and the implementation of the grand plan of becoming a developed country. The issue of India's cooperation with Bangladesh in solving the oil and energy problem is now on the way to implementation. On the way. Bangladesh is in the crisis of fuel oil as a result of Corona and Russia-Ukraine war. The opportunity to import oil from India will play a role in dealing with that crisis. On the other hand, India also has the issue of profit.
Still, there are attempts to improve relations between Bangladesh and India. In this case, it is true that both countries want it. On the other hand, the issue of trust and distrust between the people of the two countries cannot be ruled out. There was talk of the possibility that the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Bangladesh would increase confidence among the people of Bangladesh. The same optimism was expressed by some after the visit of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister to India. But the reality is that there is a section of people in both countries who have a negative mentality. But they did not change much in their attitude even after the visits of the two Prime Ministers.
The political climate is playing a key role behind this. Bangladesh's sectarian and fundamentalist groups, instead of thinking about their own security, think of their own country's development as emotional and ideological thoughts, and oppose India. For various reasons, they have been trying to spread this spirit among the people for a long time. Community considers instability inside India as their victory. That's why they don't hesitate to consider training and cooperation of ULFA as their responsibility. They don't want to think that India's internal peace process is a factor in Bangladesh's progress. They are not that important. They even say that there is no need for an important person like the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to go to India to do these things.
A political group has again started saying that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has only given India nothing. As a friend, India's pro-development group should also think that, although Bangladesh is small, Bangladesh's role as India's development partner is also great.
And not only to solve the long-standing problems of the two countries, but also to move forward, the top-level leaders should sit in discussions. It is never possible to move forward by creating enmity.
---
*Independent researcher and freelance columnist, Dhaka

Comments

Eight years of empowering tribal communities through water initiatives in Chhattisgarh

By Gazala Paul* In the heart of Chhattisgarh, amidst the echoes of tribal life, a transformative journey has unfolded over the past eight years. The Samerth organization has diligently worked to elevate the lives of indigenous communities in the Kawardha district through the project, "Enabling Baiga Community to access safe drinking water."

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

Martin Crowe played instrumental role in making New Zealand a force in world cricket

By Harsh Thakor* Late Martin Crowe was the perfect manifestation of how mere figures could not convey or do justice to the true merit of a batsman. Crowe was arguably the most complete or majestic batsmen of his era or the ultimate embodiment of batting perfection, or the classical batsmen. He perished 7 years ago, due to a rare and aggressive form of cancer, follicular lymphoma, which originated in 2012. In September, we celebrated his 60th birthday but sadly he left for his heavenly abode.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Towards 2024: Time for ‘We the People of India’ to wake up before it is too late

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ* It is Constitution Day once again! We, the people of India, gratefully remember 26 November 1949 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly comprised women and men of distinction, who were able to represent the heart and soul of the people of India without fear or favour. They gave of their best, so that we may a visionary Constitution, which would be the mainstay for and of democracy in India!

1982-83 Bombay textile strike played major role in shaping working class movement

By Harsh Thakor On January 18th, 1982 the working class movement commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Textile Workers Strike that lasted for 18 months, till July 1983. It was landmark event that played a major role in shaping the working class movement. With more than 2.5 lakh workers from 65 textile mills joining in this strike for almost two years, this strike became one of the most significant strikes in terms of scale and duration All democrats should applaud the mill workers’ united battle, and their unflinching resilience an death defying courage continues to serve as a model for contemporary working-class movements. Many middle class persons harboured opinions that the Textile workers were pampered or were a labour aristocracy, ignorant of how they were denied wages to provide for basic necessities. The Great Bombay Textile Strike is notably one of the most defining movements in the working class struggles in Post-independent India. Bombay’s textile industry flourished in

Ceasefire a tactical victory for Palestinian resistance, protests intensify across globe

By Harsh Thakor* The Zionist leadership and Netanyahu’s government were compelled to concede the defeat of their first attempt after almost 50 days of daily fighting in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu was forced to concede that he was unsuccessful in suppressing the Palestinian Resistance; and that the release of the prisoners was only plausible because they accepted Hamas’ terms.

Odisha leadership crisis deepens: CM engages retired babus to oversee depts' work

By Sudhansu R Das Over decades, Odisha has lost much of its crop diversity, fertile agriculture land, water bodies, employment potential, handicraft and handloom skills etc. The state has failed to strike a balance between the urban and rural sector growth; this leads to the migration of villagers to the urban areas leading to collapse of the urban infrastructures and an acute labor shortage in rural areas. A large number of educated, skilled and unskilled Odia people have migrated to other states for higher education, quality jobs and for earning livelihood which plummet the efficiency level of government departments. Utmost transparency in the recruitment and promotion in the state government departments will improve governance mechanisms in the state. "No near and dear one approach" in governance mechanisms can only achieve inclusive growth for the state on payment basis. This is a moral hazard. When so many educated young people seek employment outside the

Massive tropical deforestation: Big finance's $307 billion go to forest-risk commodities

A note on report by Forests & Finance coalition -- Rainforest Action Network, TuK Indonesia, Profundo, Amazon Watch, Repórter Brasil, BankTrack, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Friends of the Earth US: *** A new report released on ‘Finance Day’ at COP28 by the Forests & Finance Coalition , provides a comprehensive look into the role big finance plays in driving deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change and human rights abuses in tropical forest regions. The report reveals that since the Paris Agreement, banks have pumped over $307 billion into high risk forestry and agriculture companies linked to tropical deforestation, proving that the policies of major global banks and investors are failing to prevent continued widespread forest and biodiversity loss.

20% of Indian businesses have no emission plan in place despite climate emergency: Report

By Jag Jivan New research underlines urgent need for strategies and transition plans to combat climate change, remain successful and meet stakeholder expectations.

Search This Blog