JBS Vol 12. Num 2. 2010 - The North East and Adjoining Bangladesh Districts: Exploring Development Possibilities through Economic Linkages

Under British colonial rule, the two regions comprising the northeastern states of India and Bangladesh respectively shared common infrastructure and developed economic linkages to the benefit of both the regions. After partition of India in 1947, as these two regions joined two separate states, India and Pakistan, which were not on good terms, the economic linkages were severed and adversely affected the economic prospects of both the North East and her adjoining Bangladesh districts. With the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country in 1971, it was expected that the economic linkages would be restored again, but little progress has been made so far in this regard. This paper explores the development possibilities of both the regions from enhanced economic linkages, identifies key sectors and activities, and suggests certain measures to activate economic exchanges.