Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'India’s act of generosity towards Bangladesh' that was published in Newsband

India’s act of generosity towards Bangladesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of an “early resolution” to the Teesta water dispute. PM made this assurance in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Sheikh Hasina praised “all parties and all politicians” for coming together and clearing the land boundary agreement (LBA).

India and Bangladesh also made progress on other issues such as energy cooperation and connectivity, signing a total of 22 agreements, with another 14 in the field of private investment and MoUs. The MoU on a framework for defence cooperation involves defence exchanges, military training and high-level defence visits, while the agreement of cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy training programmes for Bangladeshi scientists at Indian facilities. India also promised $5 billion, including $500 million for defence purchases, the largest such LoC extended to any country so far, is important.

India has promised to give funds to rebuild old railway lines, and construct bridges, power plants, ports and roads in Bangladesh. Plans to revive inland waterway channels are also under way, and hold the potential to increase connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan. India shares its longest international border.

Bangladesh is gaining a lot from India. But Bangladesh should not try to play double game by trying to become a darling of both the countries - India and China – just because Bangladesh needs huge amount of investment to develop their nation. However, it is a good initiative of   Modi to attract and retain the old relationship between India and Bangladesh but remember that China could be having more money to spend than India and if this is the case, Bangladesh might try to woo China.  

Mamta Bannerjee should be reasonable in matter of Bangladesh. She is so opposed to BJP, Modi in particular, that she doesn't want to be seen 'caving in' to pressure or persuasions from her own Prime Minister. We must enhance relationship with all our neighbours, improve connectivity and retain and extend our sphere of influence which is under threat from a deep-pocketed and ambitious China under Xi Jinping who has determined that Deng Xiaoping's 'peaceful rise of China' is over. More than that, connectivity with Bangladesh would tremendously improve our own connectivity to North-East. However, we must impress upon Bangladesh two things: it should not play China card with us and realize that to achieve some goals, time and patience is needed.

Bangladesh Prime Minister might feel that the visit was successful and beneficial. But, India may have granted too much than required especially by signing many agreements. The invisible presence of China weighed too much on India, one may think, which gave Bangladesh freedom to bargain.