Reciprocity needs to be at heart

The recent political changeover in Bangladesh and the ongoing misinformation campaign by Indian media has significantly strained the bilateral relationship. India’s giving shelter to the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina after the August 5 changes has deepened the disappointment of Bangladeshis towards India. The persistent propagation of minority grievances by the Indian media, often without supporting facts or credible evidence,  has further fuelled a growing instability in bilateral relations.

The furore in India over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former ISKCON leader based in Chattogram, harms the spirit of goodwill and mutual understanding between the two neighbours. More than 50 demonstrators reportedly stormed and damaged the Bangladesh mission in Agartala, Tripura, which amounts to the violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Such developments, alongside long-standing grievances such as India’s denial of a fair share of transboundary river waters for Bangladesh and the flooding in Bangladesh triggered by India’s release of water during the monsoon season have intensified negative public sentiment.

Additionally, frequent death of Bangladeshis along the border, the abduction of Bangladeshi fishermen from adjacent water bodies coupled with unjust transit and transshipment agreements, which largely go against Bangladesh’s interests, are viewed as manifestations of Indian neocolonialism in the post-1971 period. The issues collectively contribute to the strained bilateral relationship, amplifying distrust and dissatisfaction among Bangladeshis.

Furthermore, the Indian media have propagated misinformation regarding Bangladesh’s efforts to normalise trade relations with Pakistan. The reopening of shipping communications between Bangladesh and Pakistan has triggered a wave of fabricated stories on the Indian media. The claims lack credible evidence and are aimed at undermining Bangladesh’s efforts to engage in sovereign trade and diplomatic activities. As an independent and sovereign state, Bangladesh has every right to build and strengthen diplomatic and trade relations with any nation. Being a member of SAARC, there is no harm in normalising relations with Pakistan.

European nations like the United Kingdom and Germany fiercely fought during the world wars, yet they have since established close, cooperative relations and collaborated extensively under the European Union as partners in trade and development. India also maintains excellent diplomatic relations with numerous countries that share ties with Pakistan. India’s reservations about Bangladesh’s improving relations with Pakistan are, therefore, unjustified and illogical. Bangladesh has consistently supported cordial diplomatic ties based on mutual respect and this principle has been reaffirmed by the interim government’s stand— hurting no one and not allowing anyone to hurt Bangladesh. The approach underscores Bangladesh’s commitment to sovereignty, neutrality and peaceful cooperation in its international relations.

The ties between India and Bangladesh as well as the importance of maintaining good diplomacy, is too significant for both countries to allow the relationship to be damaged by emotionally charged decisions, misjudged policies or media-driven propaganda. It is in the best interests of both Bangladesh and India should preserve and strengthen their peaceful, coexistent relationship, founded on mutual respect, trust, reciprocity and non-interference.

In a recent statement, former Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has emphasised the need for India to engage with the current leadership in Bangladesh. Similarly, Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain has stressed that India must address Dhaka’s concerns. It is good move that Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka on December 10 to address the ongoing tension. Such exchanges of delegations, meeting and dialogues must continue to clear up misunderstandings and establish a new trajectory for a mutually beneficial, win-win partnership.

India has a significant consumer market in Bangladesh while Bangladesh imports substantial quantities of essential goods and industrial raw materials from India. Additionally, industries such as motor vehicles, transport and others have experienced significant growth over the years. It is also worth noting that a large number of Indians are employed in managerial positions in Bangladesh’s apparel industry, healthcare sector, restaurant businesses and other service industries. A large number of Bangladeshis also go to India for tourism and private-sector health care.

Any strain in bilateral relations will not, therefore, only adversely affect Bangladesh but also India. In recent times, calls to boycott Indian products have gained popularity among some segments of the Bangladesh population, driven by disappointment about India’s perceived zero-sum foreign policy towards its neighbours. Indian hegemonic policies have contributed to rising anti-Indian sentiment across South Asia, including countries such as the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Such developments highlight the need for India to adopt a more inclusive and cooperative approach to regional diplomacy, ensuring mutual benefits to all.

India, in particular, must take steps to identify and address sources of discontent within the Bangladeshi public. A key priority for India is to acknowledge the political changes in Bangladesh and move away from its perceived over-reliance on the Awami League. The general public perception in Bangladesh is that India has maintained ‘special relations’ with this political party, often viewed as serving India’s interests over Bangladesh’s. Moving forward, India should learn to engage constructively with the Bangladesh government and its people as a whole, rather than aligning with any single political entity, especially in the light of the evolving political landscape.

The interim government has expressed its strong commitment to maintaining the communal harmony and has implemented various initiatives to safeguard the civil security of minorities and all citizens. Despite such efforts, the ongoing propaganda by Indian media, stigmatising Bangladesh and exaggerating claims of minority oppression, has created mistrust and further fuelled negative public sentiment towards Delhi and its divisive politics. To improve relations between the two nations and their people, India must avoid falling into the trap of repeating the same strategic mistakes. It is imperative for India to urge its media to refrain from using derogatory language and baseless accusations against Bangladesh. It is high time that India recognised this growing concern and took corrective measures. Resolving long-standing bilateral issues is, however, essential for establishing a more equal and sustainable partnership. Outstanding issues such as the Teesta water treaty, the widening trade gap and border killings must be addressed promptly to meet the aspirations of Bangladeshis. Resolving these critical bilateral concerns is essential for achieving trade normalisation and fostering long-term economic growth between the two nations.

India should prioritise the resumption of the fullly-fledged visa operation and the issuance of visas to Bangladeshis. This would serve as a significant gesture towards thawing the strained bilateral relations and rebuilding mutual trust. The ongoing visa restrictions have already resulted in considerable losses for India’s inbound tourism sector and private healthcare businesses, as many Bangladeshis traditionally travel to India for medical treatment and leisure. Reopening visa services would not only enhance people-to-people connectivity but also provide substantial economic benefits for India. The steps would pave the way for improved relations, reinforcing goodwill and strengthening the foundations for a more collaborative and prosperous partnership.

The foundation of India-Bangladesh relations must be one of reciprocity and mutual respect that both nations must desire and actively work towards.

Writer: Mohammad Rashed Alam Bhuiyan is an assistant professor of political science in the University of Dhaka.

Source: New Age