JOIN USIt is unfortunate that two important and longstanding promises made by India to Bangladesh, which can take the relations between the two countries to a higher level, still remain unfulfilled because of the narrow political considerations of a section of the opposition.
These relate to the accord on the sharing of the Teesta waters and the land boundary agreement. The Teesta accord, which was to be signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka in 2011, was scuttled by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s last minute opposition to it. Both countries have signed the protocol to the 1974 land boundary agreement. Bangladesh Parliament has ratified it but the Indian Parliament has failed to do so. A constitutional amendment bill which is necessary for that was again stalled in the Rajya Sabha on Monday by the Trinamool Congress and the Asom Gana Parishad, with the BJP also supporting the obstruction.
The land boundary agreement envisages the swapping of Indian and Bangladeshi enclaves in each other’s territory so that the border is made contiguous. The anomaly of cross-border enclaves is a legacy of the partition and they have created enormous difficulties for people of both countries living there. They have created humanitarian, political and security problems for both countries. The agreement has sought to rationalise the boundary on the principle of mutual accommodation. Opposition parties have claimed that the country will suffer a territorial loss but this is notional and minimal, amounting to a few hundred acres. The agreement signed by India after detailed negotiations casts an obligation on the country to respect and implement it.
The Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina has been sensitive to India’s security concerns and has acted positively on many issues, including the signing of an extradition treaty, even inviting the charge of a pro-India bias from the opposition in that country. A reciprocal Indian policy of goodwill will strengthen the Awami League government which has to face elections within a few months. A friendly Bangladesh is an asset for India in many ways. It has promised a transit route to the North-East if the existing issues are resolved. Those who oppose the agreements should put the national interests above narrow considerations. Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit India next month and it will embarrass the whole country if it fails to meet its obligations.