India, expectations and connectivity
OUR efforts in foreign policy have been directed to protecting national interests, sensitising our vulnerabilities arising out of effects of climate change and fostering good relations with our development partners in general and within our neighbouring region in particular. This has persuaded our Prime Minister to undertake several visits abroad and other members of her cabinet to be also pro-active in their engagements in the international multilateral forums.
The past year has also seen expectations grow in Bangladesh about improvement of the multifaceted nature of relations with India and possible solution of outstanding issues. This anticipation has emerged partly because of the traditional ties of friendship that have existed between the ruling Awami League party in Bangladesh and the Congress party of India.
Since January 2009, we have had visits to Bangladesh of the former Indian Foreign Minister (presently Finance Minister) and their Foreign Secretaries (both past and current). This has been reciprocated by visits to Delhi by some of our senior parliamentarians, bureaucrats and also the Foreign Minister. Our Prime Minister has also had a bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart in Sharm al Sheikh, Egypt during the last Non-aligned Summit Conference. The contact process has now reached summation with the visit of Prime Minister to Delhi.
The past few months have witnessed great interest in both the print as well as the electronic media about this visit as well as the scope of future relations between India and Bangladesh. Controversy generated earlier because of Indian plans to construct the Tipaimukh dam also added politicisation to the scenario. The opposition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, as has been their custom with regard to anything Indian and consistent with their mind-set, overlooked the bigger picture and threatened mass political agitation on the streets if 'the country's interests' were compromised. It has been an example of irresponsibility at its best. This approach has been difficult to understand given the fact that we have a functioning parliamentary system which pre-supposes discussion and debate within the Jatiya Sangsad.
I believe that time has arrived for the political parties to acknowledge that there is a dynamics associated with globalisation -- a stable, working relationship with one's neighbours. In our case that includes India and Myanmar. We also have to realise that Bangladesh is part of a sub-region and an important stakeholder in the future success of South Asia as a region.
Some maintain that they do not dispute the above thesis but that they are concerned about the successful resolution of the outstanding issues that are bedeviling relations with India. In this context they point fingers inter alia towards the consequences of iniquitous water management, non-completion of border demarcation, killing of unarmed civilian Bangladeshis at the border by the Indian Border Security Force and the continued imbalance in bilateral trade resulting out of Indian non-tariff barriers. They also refer to the anxiety that has beset our strategic security interests pertaining to exploitation of resources in our continuous maritime territory.
Well, things have now moved forward with this latest visit of our Prime Minister to India -- her first since her current assumption of power. During her first tenure in office as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2001, her efforts led to success in creating an agreed paradigm in water sharing at Farakka. Unfortunately, the follow-up mechanism with regard to the water sharing agreement has failed to function as anticipated after 2001. This has been partially due to lack of appropriate engagement between the BNP-led Bangladesh government and the subsequent non-elected caretaker government in Dhaka with their counterpart in Delhi.
Both Bangladesh and India have moved on over the last decade. Bangladesh has faced many downturns, but has been able to recover from these vicissitudes. This has been largely possible because of its private sector and its migrant workers. Their efforts have enabled us to replicate success in different sectors.
Time has now come for critical decision -- all related to the major element known as 'connectivity'. I believe that it is this platform that will enable Bangladesh to effectively integrate itself within the region and will also provide it with opportunities for reaching its goals of being a lower middle income country by 2021 and also a part of the digitalised world.
It is this implication that has motivated our government to undertake its current constructive foreign policy mindset towards our neighbours -- Bhutan, Nepal, India and Myanmar and underline not only the importance of regional growth through connectivity but also to take all possible steps to contain militancy and terrorism. Consistent with this, it has been indicated that there should be more serious efforts for effective and equitous sub-regional water and environmental management. It has also been stated that there is need for a common counter-terrorism strategy and the creation of a South Asian task force.
Consequently, one needs to view the achievements of this latest visit of our Prime Minister to India dispassionately and with care.
Bangladesh and India have signed three accords and two memorandums. They underscore the commitment of both countries for mutual action against crime and terrorism. That will include mutual transfer of sentenced persons and combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking. Special attention was also given towards cooperation in power and energy and also facilitating cultural exchanges. In addition the Prime Minister, quite rightly has stressed the agrarian nature of the Bangladesh economy and the need for guaranteed normal flow (a 'fair share') of water not only in the Ganges and Teesta but also in all the trans-boundary rivers (coming in from India) throughout the year. We have also urged on the need to undertake necessary measures (through the promotion of institutional mechanisms) for reducing our trade deficit with India and to have a constructive engagement with regard to the resolution of all the complex outstanding bilateral issues.
In turn, we have been assured by the Indian Prime Minister and his colleagues in the Finance and Foreign Ministries, that India, as a 'friend', will not take steps that might impede water flow, will engage in greater connectivity through an institutional process, will provide assistance towards infrastructure growth and also try to promote a regional approach to some of the emerging areas of concern within South Asia. A significant 'credit line' has also been announced in favour of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister's personal contribution towards efforts to consolidate democracy and eradicate poverty has also been recognized through the awards of the special prize.
This visit has assumed special significance because it has opened the doors and windows that were required to improve the mind-set and also to bridge differences in respective perceptions. This has been a good first step towards the right direction.
Both governments however need now to move forward with transparency and expeditiously. It will required sustained political will and an inter-active engagement. We have to remember that there are sensitive areas that will need prioritisation. For example, the first step could be re-stating of the understanding that any one caught attempting to cross the border will be arrested and not fatally shot. The second step could relate to the completion of the demarcation of the residual length of the land boundary (6.2 km). The third could be the resolution of the enclave question. These are achievable without delay. That would also greatly contribute to the process of consolidating friendship between us and India. All other measures will follow. That will also negate the unfortunate trend of unhelpful politicisation.
Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador and can be reached at mzamir@dhaka.net
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