Dr. Anand Kumar, Associate Fellow, MP-IDSA, made a presentation on “Sheikh Hasina’s Visit to India and India-Bangladesh Relations” at the Monday Morning Meeting held on 1 July 2024. The session was chaired by Dr. Om Prakash Das, Research Fellow, MP-IDSA. The Director General, Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy and other IDSA scholars participated in the discussion.

Executive Summary

The meeting focused on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India. The visit focused on enhancing collaboration in terms of defence cooperation, trade and commerce, frontier technologies including civil nuclear, oceanography and space technology. Both nations reiterated their commitment for a free, open, inclusive, secure, and rule-based Indo-Pacific region.

Detailed Report

Dr. Om Prakash Das convened the meeting by highlighting the significance of Sheikh Hasina’s visit on 21-22 June 2024, which was her first bilateral visit since being re-elected in January 2024, and also her second visit to India within a month following her attendance at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oath-taking ceremony. This visit was notably significant as it was the first state visit after Prime Minister Modi’s re-election for a third consecutive term.

Dr. Anand Kumar began his presentation by emphasising the importance of bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh and their mutual desire to guide the relationship into a new era of future-oriented partnership. Dr. Kumar outlined Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China in coming times, ongoing foreign currency crisis in Bangladesh and PM Hasina’s aim to ensure the continuous supply of essential commodities which are essential for maintaining political stability in Bangladesh, as the possible reasons for her visit.

Dr. Kumar informed the audience about the outcomes of the visit, marked by the signing of ten Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and thirteen announcements. Economic and trade cooperation between the two countries saw significant strides, with agreements to commence negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Bangladesh offering two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to India in Mongla and Mirsharai. Dr. Kumar highlighted that while trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh have seen significant improvements, there remains limited engagement in defence industrial cooperation. India proposed defence industrial cooperation to modernise the Bangladesh Armed Forces, and an agreement was signed to train 350 Bangladesh police officers.

Dr. Kumar pointed out that transit and connectivity were major themes, with India expressing its intent to expand connectivity in physical, energy, and digital forms. MoUs were signed between the railways of both countries. According to Dr. Kumar, an important development was India’s agreement to provide transit facilities for Bangladeshi goods to Nepal and Bhutan via Indian railways. Dr. Kumar drew attention to the agreements signed on energy and digital connectivity, including a pact between the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) and Bangladesh Bank to launch Unified Payment Interface (UPI) in Bangladesh. Further collaboration in frontier technologies was agreed upon, including civil nuclear, oceanography, and space technology.

Humanitarian issues were prominently discussed, with the renewal of an MoU between the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Disaster Management for disaster relief. Additionally, India introduced e-Visas for Bangladeshi medical patients seeking treatment in India. On regional and diplomatic issues, Dr. Kumar noted the commitment of both nations for a free, open, inclusive, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. He informed about India’s commitment of continued support for resolving the Rohingya crisis. Dr. Kumar discussed the ongoing Teesta river issue and marked it as important to the extent that it can affect bilateral relations. He further informed that the Ganges Water Treaty, signed in 1996, is being renewed by mutual consent, with a technical team established to conduct groundwork.

Dr. Kumar reiterated the Indian Government’s commitment to strengthen the country’s relations with its neighbours by highlighting remarks made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sheikh Hasina’s visit. The presentation concluded by acknowledging the mutual efforts of both nations to strengthen bilateral ties by ensuring that their relationship remains “future ready.”

Questions and Comments

Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy appreciated the detailed presentation by Dr. Kumar. He addressed several key challenges in bilateral ties by pointing out the prevailing sentiment among the Bangladeshi people regarding limited access to the Indian market. Amb. Chinoy queried the way forward to address this issue. He highlighted the complexities of dealing with smugglers in the border areas, often armed and travelling in large numbers at night, and the unwillingness of the Bangladeshi side to address these issues. Additionally, he raised concerns about the illegal entry of both Bangladeshis and Rohingyas into India, questioning the extent of India’s responsibility, given that it is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention.

During the Q&A session, Dr. Kumar responded to the question about Bangladeshi access to the Indian market by noting the interests of Indian businessmen must also be considered, necessitating detailed groundwork for a balanced approach. Addressing the question about West Bengal’s stance on water issues, Dr. Kumar explained the complexities surrounding the Teesta river, citing significant water usage upstream and Chinese involvement in reservoir construction. He suggested that India could assist Bangladesh in building reservoirs to mitigate Chinese influence, utilising the existing US$ 7 billion credit line, majority of which is still not used.

Gp. Capt. R.K. Narang inquired about the relative ease for Bangladeshis to set up companies in India compared to the challenges faced by Indian businesses in Bangladesh and the persistence of anti-India sentiments. Dr. Kumar attributed these sentiments to historical factors and the growing influence of Gulf-based Islamist ideology.

Mr. Arvind Khare, Senior Fellow, MP-IDSA, inquired about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s opposition to water discussions between India and Bangladesh without the State’s consultation, questioning if her concerns align with national objectives. Dr. Kumar stated that while consultation with the state government is desirable, foreign policy matters come under the central government.

Dr. Smruti S. Pattanaik, Research Fellow, MP-IDSA, mentioned the strategic importance of the Chittagong-Kolkata train route and the launch of the e-Suvidha Portal for border trade, highlighting the logistical advancements. She also said that Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China should not be seen as detrimental to India’s interests given the significant Indian investments.

Report prepared by Puspa Kumari, Intern, South Asia Centre, MP-IDSA, New Delhi.