India and Bangladesh settled their prickly 4,096-km-long land boundary dispute on Saturday . As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina exchanged instruments of ratification of the land boundary agreement, far away in the enclaves on the India-Bangladesh border, the door opened for over 50,000 virtually stateless people to finally get a national identity. “We have resolved a question that has lingered since Independence. Our two nations have a settled boundary,“ said Modi after 22 agreements were inked between the two governments. Of equal significance is an agreement that will allow Indian cargo vessels to use the Chittagong and Mongla ports in Bangladesh.
This has immediate connectivity benefits -Indian ships have to travel all the way to Singapore to offload cargo onto vessels that bring them back to Bangladesh, taking 30-40 days. Now, their travel time will come down to a week. This will be the first time both countries will utilize their common seas. Strategic implications are huge as well. Chittagong port has been developed by China and is part of its famed “string of pearls“. Ostensibly a commercial port, there has been a belief that China could use it for strategic purposes, particularly since China is also believed to be developing a deep sea port off the island of Sonadia at Cox's Bazar. For India to gain access to use the port is a big achievement both in economic terms, and also as an expression of greater trust with Bangladesh.
Keeping the Teesta deal alive, Modi indicated a similar political process would be employed for that deal as well.“Our rivers should nurture our relationship, not become a source of discord. Water sharing is, above all, a human issue.It affects life and livelihood on both sides of the border. We have shown political resolve and mutual goodwill with the Land Boundary Agreement. I am confident that with the support of state governments in India, we can reach a fair solution on Teesta and Feni Rivers.We should also work together to renew and clean our rivers.“ This was the only time Teesta was mentioned publicly, though sources said it figured in private discussions.
India will open two new consulates in Sylhet and Khulna in Bangladesh, while Guwahati will see a new Bangladesh consulate in the coming months. For the first time, a neighbouring country will have a specially designated economic zone only for Indian companies. Signing an agreement to allow an India-specific SEZ would encourage Indian investment and give both countries a way to address the yawning trade deficit, explained foreign secretary S Jaishankar.
Bangladesh has seen a sea change in its attitude to Narendra Modi. In 2014, it was defined by fear, latent hostility and a suspicion that relations between an India led by saffron Modi and Muslim Bangladesh would definitely go south.
On Friday , when most of the city was decorated with pictures of Modi, the change was palpable.Even the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami of Bangladesh, a sworn opponent of PM Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League, felt compelled to welcome Modi's visit. In a statement earlier this week, Jamaat member Moqbul Ahmad said: “I welcome the visit wholeheartedly...Bangladesh has a friendly relation with India.“I, on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami and the people of Bangladesh, expect that the Indian premier's visit will solve the existing disputes -such as border demarcation and enclave exchange,“ Moqbul said.
The apparent reversal has less to do with any real change of heart in the Jamaat than an acknowledgement of popular sentiment.There is a very strong sense here that this Modi visit is more special than his trips to Nepal or Sri Lanka. India is expected to announce a slew of agreements with Dhaka in power , roads, railways, health and education.
They will come on the heels of Bangladesh announcing its national budget, where it has promised to target 7% growth, raising hopes that New Delhi can play a part in Bangladesh's growth story .
It was the unanimous parliamentary approval to the LBA that tipped the scales finally . Indians may or may not remember the Parliament debate on the LBA, but it was keenly followed by Bangladesh. You can find Bangladeshis actually quoting Indian MPs who spoke on the deal.
No comments:
Post a Comment