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Thoughts on Republic Day of India

Barrister Harun ur Rashid
There is a saying that one can choose friends but not neighbours. The two countries are destined to live next to each other. India needs Bangladesh as much as Bangladesh needs India in the current regional and global environment.***
WHILE observing the 63rd Republic Day of India on January 26th, the Acting High Commissioner for India, Mr. Sanjay Bhatacharyya, held a reception at a local hotel in Dhaka followed by an impressive cultural presentation.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni MP was the chief guest at the well-attended function and both the foreign minister and the acting Indian high commissioner spoke of a new era of friendly and mutually supportive relations between the two countries.
While we extend our warm greetings to the government and people of India on the occasion, let us look at the state of IndoBangladesh relations
Bangladesh is surrounded by India, leaving its south open to the Bay of Bengal. Furthermore, India has 23 times larger territory than that of Bangladesh. Living with a bigger neighbour, Bangladesh has often felt strtuns and stresses in bilateral relations.
Bangladesh-India relations are complex, sensitive and multi-dimensional. The relationship is not restricted to only between governments. The ties of history are so pervasive that the relations exist independently of governments and their policies.
Bilateral relations are the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage relations between Bangladesh and India. There is no single model or form of bilateral relation because each nation sets its own priorities with other countries. In essence, bilateral relations are based on each other's national interests, given geo-political realities.
Contemporary practice acknowledges that although governments do not bear the whole burden of bilateral relations, governments lay down policies and remain responsible for responses to issues/disputes between the countries.
The relations between the two countries went through a metamorphosis after the Bangladesh prime minister visited New Delhi in January 2010 and opened a new horizon of comprehensive partnership as agreed in the Joint Communique issued after her visit and later envisioned in the Indo-Bangladesh Framework Agreement on Cooperation and Development signed on September 6th, 2011 during the Indian prime minister's visit to Dhaka.
I would argue that overall bilateral relations will get a fresh momentum in public perception under following circumstances:
First, India has to realise that time is of the essence in implementation of promises and agreements, such as watersharing of Teesta River and exchange of enclaves and adverse possessions. These deals have been put on slow-burner for implementation because they became victims of political maneuvering in India. Delay is causing serious misgivings among most people in Bangladesh about India's commitment and sincerity in fulfilling the promised deals. Second, India cannot remain insensitive to the deep angst of the people of Bangladesh at the senseless torture and killing of Bangladeshis by BSF at the border, despite firm assurances at all levels of Indian government. Such killings need to be stopped forthwith.
Third, on controversial Tipaimukh dam, a joint team of experts from Bangladesh and India needs to be constituted soon to examine the impact of the dam on Bangladesh regarding geographic, geological, hydrographic, hydrological, climatic, and ecological factors. In addition, India's commitment not to go ahead with the dam is necessary until the experts' committee arrives at a definitive finding.
Fourth, a comprehensive or sector-wise approach towards all bilateral issues is to be considered, rather than addressing an issue on a piecemeal. In the past, India sought to negotiate a single issue on a bilateral basis, without appreciating that it was inter-connected with other issues and therefore did not admit easy solution. It is also a challenge to the skill in negotiations to make the outcome of an issue a "win-win" situation for the two countries.
Fifth, a sub-regional unit comprising Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and northeastern states of India could be set up, which could be an engine for economic growth, given the opportunities to explore and exploit natural and human resources of the region to mutual benefit. Later, the sub-region may extend to Asean and China.
Sixth, what India has to do is to adopt a regional or sub-regional approach where all its neighbours are on board for commonality of interests on issues such as climate change, energy, water management, food security and counter-terrorism.
At the same time, Bangladesh has to live with a reality that the country cannot remain isolated from interactions with India and China, and must explore the advantages of its geographical position to turn it into regional focal point through connectivity by roads, railways, inland waterways and sea ports. Connectivity is to be viewed as service industry, as in other countries across the world.
Bangladesh has also to realise that the gains in each and every case are unlikely to be equal for both countries. Bangladesh may gain more than India in some areas and in other areas India might gain more. It is the overall gains that are to be evaluated and not differential gains in dissimilar areas.
Both nations need to be mindful that the geo-political scene around South Asia is changing. Economic globalisation has led to interdependence of states and make it compelling for both countries to do more together within the region and beyond for mutual benefit.
There is a saying that one can choose friends but not neighbours. The two countries are destined to live next to each other. India needs Bangladesh as much as Bangladesh needs India in the current regional and global environment.
Finally, living with a bigger India, I am tempted to quote what former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once said about living with the US, that it was "like sleeping with an elephant: how friendly and even tempered the beast is, one is affected by its every twitch and grunt."
The writer is a former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.