What does it take to be a good neighbour?
The oriental philosophy speaks constantly of a unifying principle which gives meaning and guidance to human interaction; it is the key concept for understanding human conduct. This unifying principle is manifested in "benevolence", "magnanimity", "virtue", "compassion", and "human-heartedness".
On a personal level, a good neighbour is when the neighbour rushes in to help in case of need, prompted by compassion and magnanimity.
Does the same yardstick apply between the states? Yes.
In recent days, Bangladesh's biggest neighbour India has come out in a big way to help Bangladesh face the devastation caused by cyclone Sidr on 15th November.
Visit of India's external affairs Minister
India's external affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's daylong visit on 1st December to Bangladesh testifies India's assistance to efforts in mitigating the sufferings of the victims. He came to Dhaka in an Indian Air force plane carrying more than 36 tonnes of relief goods including ready-to eat meals, milk powder, medicines, water filters and blankets. Mukherjee handed over the relief materials to the Foreign Affair Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Choudhury at the Zia International Airport. During his visit he met with the Chief Adviser of the Caretaker government, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed. Mukherjee assured that India had lifted the ban on rice exports to the tune of five lakh tonnes to help Bangladesh deal with its food shortage and also to pay for the full rebuilding of 10 villages affected badly by the cyclone. India has provided 200,000 tonnes of rice as direct relief. Mukherjee visited two of the worst cyclone-hit areas, Sharankhola and Patharghata. This has demonstrated his keen desire to have a first-hand experience to witness the devastation caused in the southern districts of Bangladesh. Indo-Bangladesh relations
The Indo-Bangladesh partnership is far too important for either side to let partisan politics interfere with the proper conduct of the relationship. Living with "big brother" has spawned for Bangladesh what some have called a post-modern approach to diplomacy -- one that is becoming more common in an internet age and at a time when nations must increasingly compete with the integrating forces of the world economy -- and when traditional borders as geographic markers are becoming less obvious. Bangladesh is not the only the country that has a very big neighbour. Consider New Zealand, with a population roughly one fifth that of Australia, or France and Switzerland who live side by side. How about Uruguay, for which Brazil represents the dominant export market? And there are many similar cases around the world. Strengthening good neighbourly relations with neighbours in South Asia is very important. Good neighbourly relations go to the heart of the spirit of SAARC in strengthening state-level cooperation. Commitment to work together by Bangladesh and India for the rapid development of the region, placing particular emphasis on the liberalisation of trade and structural programmes which will safeguard the future of the people of the region. Living in such close proximity to India has, over the years, inspired a unique network of bilateral mechanisms: for facilitating communication, promoting cooperation, and resolving disagreements through dialogue. These touch on all aspects of the bilateral agenda: trade, the environment, and water resources. In each of these areas, past challenges have bred innovative solutions which in turn will help overcome future hurdles. The key message for our neighbour is that the interests of Bangladesh and India -on South Asian sub-continent and globally - are best served by cooperation, trust and building mutual confidence between the two. Bangladesh contributes to ensuring peace and security in the world, proceeding from democratic values and national interests. Glancing at the contemporary world, it is noted that global subjects attract more attention now than in the past: energy security, environmental protection, climate changes, terrorism, trafficking in persons and drugs. Bangladesh and India do not live in a vacuum. India is an agent of change and is also subject to the changes that are sweeping the world at the beginning of the 21st century. The time has come for Bangladesh to evaluate the new world order that is emerging and to evolve a vision and strategy for the benefit of people of Bangladesh, if not already done under a foreign policy initiative. In the future Bangladesh must base its relations with India on the principles of constructive partnership and value political dialogues on different levels. Both need each other and a stable and prosperous Bangladesh is a good market for India's economy. Bangladesh's cooperation is necessary for India's desired role in the region and in world affairs. Furthermore, there is also an interdependent relationship between security and economy. Economic hardship and violence feed on each other: popular dissatisfaction and unemployment increase the disillusionment and disengagement of the people and the lack of security further hinders development and economic activity. There is no adequate reason why Indo-Bangladesh relations cannot be friendly if interests of both countries are recognized, addressed and respected. Both countries are required to make the same political, intellectual, bureaucratic, educational, cultural and media effort on the positive features of each other. Kautilya once said that the "welfare of a state depends on an active foreign policy." He was also clear that "strength is power and happiness is the objective." While strength is power and happiness is the objective, this purpose has to be tempered by selfless endeavours. The bottom line of foreign policy of all countries is one that is pro-active, purposeful and result-oriented. The author is former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.
India's external affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's daylong visit on 1st December to Bangladesh testifies India's assistance to efforts in mitigating the sufferings of the victims. He came to Dhaka in an Indian Air force plane carrying more than 36 tonnes of relief goods including ready-to eat meals, milk powder, medicines, water filters and blankets. Mukherjee handed over the relief materials to the Foreign Affair Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Choudhury at the Zia International Airport. During his visit he met with the Chief Adviser of the Caretaker government, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed. Mukherjee assured that India had lifted the ban on rice exports to the tune of five lakh tonnes to help Bangladesh deal with its food shortage and also to pay for the full rebuilding of 10 villages affected badly by the cyclone. India has provided 200,000 tonnes of rice as direct relief. Mukherjee visited two of the worst cyclone-hit areas, Sharankhola and Patharghata. This has demonstrated his keen desire to have a first-hand experience to witness the devastation caused in the southern districts of Bangladesh. Indo-Bangladesh relations
The Indo-Bangladesh partnership is far too important for either side to let partisan politics interfere with the proper conduct of the relationship. Living with "big brother" has spawned for Bangladesh what some have called a post-modern approach to diplomacy -- one that is becoming more common in an internet age and at a time when nations must increasingly compete with the integrating forces of the world economy -- and when traditional borders as geographic markers are becoming less obvious. Bangladesh is not the only the country that has a very big neighbour. Consider New Zealand, with a population roughly one fifth that of Australia, or France and Switzerland who live side by side. How about Uruguay, for which Brazil represents the dominant export market? And there are many similar cases around the world. Strengthening good neighbourly relations with neighbours in South Asia is very important. Good neighbourly relations go to the heart of the spirit of SAARC in strengthening state-level cooperation. Commitment to work together by Bangladesh and India for the rapid development of the region, placing particular emphasis on the liberalisation of trade and structural programmes which will safeguard the future of the people of the region. Living in such close proximity to India has, over the years, inspired a unique network of bilateral mechanisms: for facilitating communication, promoting cooperation, and resolving disagreements through dialogue. These touch on all aspects of the bilateral agenda: trade, the environment, and water resources. In each of these areas, past challenges have bred innovative solutions which in turn will help overcome future hurdles. The key message for our neighbour is that the interests of Bangladesh and India -on South Asian sub-continent and globally - are best served by cooperation, trust and building mutual confidence between the two. Bangladesh contributes to ensuring peace and security in the world, proceeding from democratic values and national interests. Glancing at the contemporary world, it is noted that global subjects attract more attention now than in the past: energy security, environmental protection, climate changes, terrorism, trafficking in persons and drugs. Bangladesh and India do not live in a vacuum. India is an agent of change and is also subject to the changes that are sweeping the world at the beginning of the 21st century. The time has come for Bangladesh to evaluate the new world order that is emerging and to evolve a vision and strategy for the benefit of people of Bangladesh, if not already done under a foreign policy initiative. In the future Bangladesh must base its relations with India on the principles of constructive partnership and value political dialogues on different levels. Both need each other and a stable and prosperous Bangladesh is a good market for India's economy. Bangladesh's cooperation is necessary for India's desired role in the region and in world affairs. Furthermore, there is also an interdependent relationship between security and economy. Economic hardship and violence feed on each other: popular dissatisfaction and unemployment increase the disillusionment and disengagement of the people and the lack of security further hinders development and economic activity. There is no adequate reason why Indo-Bangladesh relations cannot be friendly if interests of both countries are recognized, addressed and respected. Both countries are required to make the same political, intellectual, bureaucratic, educational, cultural and media effort on the positive features of each other. Kautilya once said that the "welfare of a state depends on an active foreign policy." He was also clear that "strength is power and happiness is the objective." While strength is power and happiness is the objective, this purpose has to be tempered by selfless endeavours. The bottom line of foreign policy of all countries is one that is pro-active, purposeful and result-oriented. The author is former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.
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