UPSC Issue at a Glance | Bangladesh Crisis and India: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains (2024)

What is the issue?

The recent turmoil in Bangladesh resulted in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the establishment of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This event is considered a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s history and has introduced new dynamics in regional politics. As a neighboring country of India, Bangladesh has always played a crucial role in India’s “neighborhood first” policy. Therefore, it is important to understand the recent political change in Bangladesh from a broader perspective.

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: India and its neighbourhood- relations, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Other areas of relevance: UPSC Aspirants will find it useful in Essays, and Current affairs for their Personality tests.

Question 1: What is the history of the Liberation of Bangladesh and what role did India play in it?

Bangladesh was part of Pakistan from 1947 to 1971, but the people of this region felt oppressed by the domination of western Pakistan and the imposition of the Urdu language. They began protesting against the unfair treatment of Bengali culture and language, and demanded fair representation in administration and political power.

Under the leadership of Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman, a popular struggle for autonomy ensued and in the 1970 elections, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujib, secured a majority in the proposed constituent assembly for the entire Pakistan. However, the West Pakistani leadership refused to acknowledge this and arrested Sheikh Mujib, leading to violent suppression by the Pakistani army and a significant refugee crisis in India.

1971 Bangladesh Liberation War (Express Archive)

In response to the people’s demand for independence, the government of India provided financial and military support. This led to a war between India and Pakistan in December 1971, resulting in the surrender of Pakistani forces in East Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

Points to Ponder:

— What was the Operation Jackpot?

— What was the Operation Searchlight?

— Map work: Location of Bangladesh and Indian states sharing boundaries with Bangladesh.

Question 2: What are the areas of cooperation between India and Bangladesh?

India and Bangladesh have deep-rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and many other commonalities. The exceptional nature of their bilateral ties is reflected in a comprehensive partnership based on sovereignty, equality, trust, and understanding. The cooperation between both the nations can be seen in various areas.

1. Economic Cooperation: Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia and India is the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh in Asia. In the fiscal year 2023-24, Bangladesh exported goods worth USD 1.97 billion to India, and the total bilateral trade for that year amounted to USD 14.01 billion.

Anjishnu Das Writes— “Bangladesh is the biggest export destination for India’s cotton, accounting for 34.9% of India’s total cotton exports (some $2.4 billion in FY24). Other major Indian exports to Bangladesh are petroleum products and cereals. India’s top import from Bangladesh are readymade garments, amounting to $391 million in FY24. In recent years, Bangladesh has emerged as a major global hub for textiles.”

2. Security and Border Management: The two countries’ agencies actively cooperate on police matters, anti-corruption activities, and combatting issues such as illicit drug trafficking, fake currency, and human trafficking.

— India and Bangladesh have resolved long-pending issues, such as the Land Boundary Agreement in 2015.

— Peaceful and cooperative security mechanisms for the 4,096 km long international border include border fencing, joint inspection of boundary pillars, and joint boundary demarcation, including riverine boundaries.

3. Defence Cooperation: The cooperation between India and Bangladesh is also evident in the defense sector. Both the countries conduct joint exercises called Exercise Sampriti (for the army) and Exercise Bongo Sagar (for the navy).

4. Infrastructure and Connectivity: India and Bangladesh have consistently increased their cooperation to improve connectivity between the two nations through various modes of transportation. Efforts for greater connectivity to establish a long-lasting, people-centric partnership have led to the rehabilitation of 6 railway links between India and Bangladesh that were present before 1965.

Anjishnu Das Writes— “India has extended three lines of credit to Bangladesh since 2016 amounting to $8 billion for the development of road, rail, shipping and port infrastructure. In November 2023, two joint projects – the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link and Khulna-Mongla Port rail line – were inaugurated. The latest Akhaura-Agartala link, which provided an alternate route from mainland India to the Northeast, was the sixth cross-border rail line between the countries.”

— India and Bangladesh also have a Protocol on Inland Waterways Trade and Transit (PIWTT) that has been operational since 1972, for facilitating trade and transit between the two countries through the inland waterways. Both countries have also operationalized the Agreement for the usage of Chittagong and Mongla Ports in 2023.

5. Cultural Cooperation: It plays a crucial role in building people-to-people contacts between both nations. The cultural programs featuring renowned artists from India and Bangladesh contribute to the promotion of people-to-people contacts.

Points to Ponder:

— How is India assisting Bangladesh in capacity building and human resource development?

— What is a Land Boundary Agreement?

Question 3: What are the challenges in India and Bangladesh ties?

India and Bangladesh share a unique relationship rooted in a common cultural heritage, shared principles, and values. This relationship has been forged by common aspirations and the sacrifices of their peoples. However, there are some challenges to India-Bangladesh bilateral ties.

1. Challenge of Illegal Migration: The illegal migration from Bangladesh to India continues to be a major concern in bilateral relations. This influx of migrants puts a strain on Indian border states, not only impacting their resources but also presenting a challenge to security. The problem of illegal migration has intensified with the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.

2. Challenge of River Water Management: The management of transboundary river water has been a point of tension between India and Bangladesh. The two countries share 54 common rivers which directly impact the livelihoods of people in both countries. While both countries have signed major treaties related to river water sharing, such as the Ganga Waters Treaty and the Kushiyara River Treaty, negotiations are ongoing for other major rivers such as the Teesta.

3. Increasing Influence of China: The growing influence of China in Bangladesh is a point of concern for India. Bangladesh is a member of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. There is concern that China’s increasing involvement with Bangladesh can challenge India’s regional standing and impede its strategic aspirations.

Points to Ponder:

— What is the significance of Bangladesh for India?

Question 4: How does the current Bangladesh turmoil present a challenge for India?

How the turmoil in Bangladesh will impact India-Bangladesh bilateral relations is something that we will see in the coming times, but there are inevitable challenges that have emerged for India on various fronts with the recent turmoil in Bangladesh.

Anjishnu Das Writes— “Bangladesh has been a key ally to India since Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009. From eradicating anti-India terrorist groups which operated out of safe havens in Bangladesh to facilitating greater economic, social, and cultural ties, Hasina’s tenure has fostered a healthy relationship between New Delhi and Dhaka.

Her exit could jeopardise this — affecting growing trade ties, restricting the movement of people and goods, and stalling a potential free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

A disruption in Indo-Bangladesh ties could thus restrict India’s access to the Northeast, which will be connected to mainland India only through the narrow “Chicken’s Neck” — only 22 km at its narrowest — between West Bengal and Assam.”

Considering the crisis in Bangladesh, it is important for India to address potential trade and security risks. This can be achieved through proactive measures and regional cooperation to minimize negative impacts and sustain economic stability and growth. It is crucial for India to take active steps to minimize damage and safeguard the important aspects of the relationship.

C. Raja Mohan writes—

India will need enormous strategic patience, faith in the logic of geography, belief in the centrality of commerce, and a strong political commitment to transcend the Partition pathologies in building relations with a changing Bangladesh.

Post Read Questions

Prelims

(1) Consider the following infrastructure projects:

1. Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link

2. Khulna-Mongla port rail line

3. Maitree super thermal power plant

4. MoU on Blue Economy and Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal

5. Jaynagar–Janakpur–Bardibas railway line

How many of the aforementioned infrastructure projects have India and Bangladesh agreed to collaborate on?

(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

(2) With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.

2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.

3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

(3) How many of the following states share the borders with the Bangladesh?

1. Assam

2. West Bengal

3. Tripura

4. Mizoram

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) One only

(b) Two only

(c) Three only

(d) All four

(4) ‘Exercise SAMPRITI’ is a military exercise between India and which of the following nations?

(a) Bangladesh

(b) Sri Lanka

(c) Nepal

(d) Thailand

Mains

(1) Discuss the significance of India’s relationship with Bangladesh in the context of regional cooperation and development. Highlight the recent developments between the two countries.

(2) Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh. (UPSC CSE 2013)

(3) The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India? ( UPSC CSE 2013)

(4) Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (UPSC CSE 2018)

(Sources: Class 12 NCERT, Brief on India-Bangladesh Bilateral Relations 2024, How Sheikh Hasina’s ouster may impact India-Bangladesh trade ties, How India needs to deal with the new Bangladesh: 5 challenges beyond 1971)

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