- As history shows, the India-Bangladesh ties go back to the time since our Eastern neighbour came into existence on the back of a liberation war played out between India and Pakistan resulting in the birth of Bangladesh severing completely from what used to be East Pakistan. Indian role in aiding the establishment of Bangladesh is significant and the friendly relations between the two nations continue to this day despite weathering usual ups and downs expected along the way. The geopolitical compulsions and geostrategic pragmatism suitably facilitate the continuation of the friendly relation which only deserves to be further strengthened.
PC: Ali Asif Shawon
- In stark contrast to the growing bonhomie between India and Bangladesh witnessed over the years, our cantankerous and perpetually troubled Western neighbour in Pakistan whose attempts at destabilizing the country with terrorist-related activities over the past many decades has only exacerbated lack of trust and animosity to lead the relationship to any meaningful levels. Since the new nation of Bangladesh came into existence in 1971, the successive Indian Governments have solidly stood behind the nation which has made appreciable progress in due course of time. In such a scenario, the Prime Minister’s first overseas trip post-pandemic gains great importance.
- The PM is scheduled to land in Bangladesh today underlining the closes relations that New Delhi and Dhaka have come to enjoy. That the PM will be the chief guest at the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s founding, which also happens to be the birth centenary year of its founder father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also showcases representative evenness of the role essayed by India in their liberation struggle. Putting rest to doubts, Bangladesh has indeed emerged as South Asia’s modern-day rising nation under the leadership of incumbent PM Sheikh Hasina registering a steady economic growth on the back of sustained efforts at breaking the established ceiling.
PC: FPJ Web Desk
- No wonder, Bangladesh is well on target to leave the list of least developed countries by 2026 and is projected to post positive GDP growth for 2020-21 quite contrary to the global trends where contraction has become the norm. Most impressively, Bangladesh overtook India in per capita GDP last year showing how steadfast the nation is progressing under the present dispensation. It is also worthwhile to note that the nation not only grew its economy despite pandemic wrought challenges but also registering lower Covid deaths per million than India. Amazingly, Bangladesh has marched ahead of us in several human development indicators viz. immunization, hunger mitigation, and fertility rate. Some welcome progression indeed.
- The PM has heavily invested in building a solid relation with Bangladesh is stating the obvious despite the shrill pitch raised vis-à-vis pushing through contentious CAA and NRC issues highlighting illegal migration of Bangladeshis to score domestic political points. With crucial elections scheduled in West Bengal and Assam, the potentially tricky issues should be left to rest rather than make diabolical attempts at whipping up emotions to garner votes. It makes sense to focus on further improving bilateral relations vis-à-vis trade, connectivity, and people-to-people relationship. A win-win situation for both the countries to reflect on a mutually beneficial future awaits.
