JBS Vol 11. Num 2. 2009 - Bangladesh-India Relations: Some Recent Trends

India’s contribution towards Bangladesh’s War of Liberation in 1971 was critical to the latter’s birth. But the events
that followed the liberation of Bangladesh did not result in the continuance of cordial relations, as hoped, between
these two countries. There are a few fundamental issues between India and Bangladesh, such as land and maritime
boundary demarcations, the sharing of waters from 54 common rivers, informal trade, transnational crime, and
interference in internal affairs that have adversely affected their relationship. On an optimistic note, however,
interpersonal relations and civil society contact groups between the two countries have increased. There is a need for
greater understanding, dialogue, diplomacy, regional cooperation and less interference in each other’s internal
affairs. While it may be easy to simply list these issues, addressing them would be difficult, mainly due to the
overall geopolitical compulsions, the historical legacy, and the mutual mistrust in the region. India-Bangladesh
relations would improve greatly if both parties recognize the need for greater political will to overcome the
geopolitical compulsions, to appreciate the essence of regional (mainly economic) cooperation and to realize the
benefits of peaceful coexistence. In assessing the challenges between the two countries and the need to overcome
them, this paper will examine some recent trends, as well as explore a possible framework for the future direction of
India-Bangladesh relations.