Impact of PM’s Bangladesh Visit: A Detailed Analysis

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bangladesh was a result of the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina. The visit covered three significant events in the country: the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence, the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th year of the initiation of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. The visit was important to build bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as for various economic reasons. 

Celebration of Historical Connections

• Bangladesh expressed gratitude for conferring the Gandhi Peace Prize (2020) on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 
• The two countries jointly initiated the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 
• Bangladesh expressed gratitude for the recognition of the road on the Bangladesh-India border from Mujib Nagar to Nadia as Shadhinota Shorok.
• Both sides agreed to the filming of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the liberation war documentary directed by the Indian film director Shyam Benegal. 
• To celebrate the 50th anniversary of India and Bangladesh: 

1. Both countries released commemorative postage stamps
2. Both countries declared to commemorate 6 December as Matri Divas
3. India decided to set up a Bangabandhu Chair at the University of Delhi  

Collaboration on Water Resources

• Bangladesh emphasised concluding an interim agreement on the sharing of water from the Teesta river, as the draft agreement was already agreed upon by both sides in January 2011. 
• India requested the finalisation of the draft of the interim agreement for the sharing of water from the Feni river, which was agreed upon by both countries in 2011. 
• Both sides agreed to work on the interim agreement on the sharing of water from the rivers: Manu, Gumti, Dharla, Muhuri, Khowai, and Dudhkumar. 
• Bangladesh reiterated the urgency of the excavation of the remaining portion of Rahimpur Khal for the utilisation of Kushiyara waters.
• For maximum utilisation of Ganges water, as per Ganges Water Sharing Treaty 1996, both sides decided to commence with the feasibility study of the Ganges – Padma barrage. 

Bilateral Trade for Growth 

• Both countries emphasised the need for the continuation of trade policies and regulations and also emphasised the need for the removal of non-tariff barriers. 
• Both countries agreed on an up-gradation of infrastructure facilities of the Land Customs Stations (LCS) to enhance trade.
• Both countries stressed the importance of uniformity in standards and the mutual identification of trade agreements. On this matter, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institutes (BSTI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BSI) agreed to develop testing and lab facilities. 
• Bangladesh invited India to invest in the jute mills of Bangladesh to modernise and expand the growth of the jute sector. 
• India agreed to facilitate Bangladesh’s exports to Nepal and Bhutan, via India.
• The Indian Prime Minister congratulated Bangladesh on its enhancement from the Least Development Country (LDC) status.
• India stressed the joint study of the prospect of entering into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Partnership in Power and Energy

• India emphasised finalising the implementation of Katihar-Parbatipur-Boranagar cross-border electricity interconnection.
• During the PM’s visit to Bangladesh, the implementation of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline and the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project was put in progress. 
• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bangladesh visit, both leaders agreed to implement the institutional arrangement for the hydrocarbon sector.
• Both sides inaugurated the transmission line of the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh to be developed by Indian companies.

Transport System for Prosperity 

• During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bangladesh, he thanked Bangladesh for its initiative of pre-1965 rail connectivity.
• Bangladesh expressed its desire to participate in the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project. 
• Both countries agreed to the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement.
• Bangladesh agreed to the use of the international airports in Chattogram and Sylhet by the Northeast Indian people, especially from Tripura.
• Both countries took the initiative for early operationalisation of the trans-shipment agreement on the use of the Chattogram and Mongla ports for trade purposes from India to Bangladesh and vice versa. 
• PM Modi requested Bangladesh for a shipping arrangement in the Munshiganj and Pangaon areas as part of the protocol on inland water transit and trade. Furthermore, both countries expressed their eagerness to complete the bilateral project on the Ashuganj Container Terminal.

Collaboration in Public Health 

• Bangladesh expressed gratitude to India for providing assistance during the COVID-19 crisis (the Indian Government gave 3.2 million doses of Oxford’s AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine). 

Border Management and Security 

• Water connectivity
  Bangladesh requested a water passage through the Padma river for humanitarian purposes. 
• Defence Collaboration
  Both countries agreed on the exchange of programs and strengthened collaboration in defence training and capacity forming. Moreover, Bangladesh offered a USD 500 million line of credit for defence imports. 

Cooperation in Education Sector 

• The leaders of both countries agreed to cooperate in the education sector for mutual benefit.
• Bangladesh offered exchange programmes in the areas of fisheries, agriculture, and women empowerment, for Indian youth. 
• Both countries agreed to continue their work to encourage the further development of culture, education, science and technology, sports, and mass media.

Emerging Areas to Explore 

• India and Bangladesh both agreed to explore various key areas such as artificial intelligence, nuclear power and technology, the peaceful uses of nuclear testing, health and education, and other areas.

Partners in the World  

• Both India and Bangladesh agreed to continue their work together to achieve the common goals and objectives of the United Nations. 
• Both countries emphasised that regional organisations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have an important role in the COVID-19 situation.
• Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and requested India for its support.
• India greeted Bangladesh for joining the New Development Bank (NDB). 

Announced Miscellaneous Events  

• The foundation stone for a memorial in commemoration of the Martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War (1971) was unveiled.
• The foundation stone for the Rooppur Power Evacuation plan was laid.
• Three border haats (or trading posts) across the border areas of Nalikata, Saydabad, Ryngku-Bagan Bari, and Bholaganj (Bangladesh) were launched.
• The Mitali Express that connects Dhaka (Bangladesh) and New Jalpaiguri (India) was inaugurated. 

Latest MOUs signed by India and Bangladesh  

• MOU on cooperation with each other in the field of Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation.
• MOU between National Cadet Corps (INCC) and Bangladesh Cadet Corps (BNCC). 
• MOU between India and Bangladesh on making a framework of cooperation in the area of Trade Remedial Measures (TRM).
• Tripartite MOU on the supply of ICT appliances, courseware and reference books, and training for Bangladesh Bharot Digital Service and Employment Training.
• MOU between the countries for setting up sports facilities at Rajshahi College Field and surrounding areas.

Conclusion 

India and Bangladesh are connected to each other through a shared history and shared cultural heritage. Geographically, India shares the longest international boundary with Bangladesh. Diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh were established after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. Furthermore, both countries are members of SAARC, IORA, BIMSTEC, the Commonwealth, and more. Various joint exercises of the army as well as the navy such as Exercise Sampriti and Exercise Milan take place between the two nations. Thus, India-Bangladesh affinity scaled to new heights during the PM’s visit to Bangladesh in 2021.