Issues between India and Bangaldesh

Deals made  during Manmohan's visit to Dhaka 

1. Comprehensive framework on cooperation

2. a. Demarcation of 6.5 miles of land boundary
b. Exchange of enclaves and adversely possessed land
c. 24-hour access to Dahagram, Angorpota enclaves through Tin Bigha corridor

3. Protection of Sundarbans tigers

4. Cooperation of railways on transit traffic for Nepal

5. Exchange of programmes by BTV and Doordarshan

6. Cooperation between Dhaka University and Jawaharlal Nehru University

7. Preservation of Sundarbans bio-diversity

8. Cooperation on renewable energy

9. Cooperation on fisheries

10. Cooperation on fashion technology

Snippets:- Importance of bilateral ties

• Keeping Dhaka on Delhi's side Security is a key area of India-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation. Pakistan's ISI has used Islamist groups in Bangladesh to carry out attacks in India. China, meanwhile, has made inroads into Dhaka in its bid to gain access to key Bangladeshi ports that would give it access to the Indian Ocean. India and Bangladesh have concluded agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and combating terrorism.
• The Long Border India's border with Bangladesh is 4,096 km long. It is the longest border that India has with any of its . Not only that, it has also been a complicated one, with areas and peoples of each country intersecting in what are called adversely possessed lands.
• When Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina meet, the two countries will reach an important agreement to exchange these enclaves and put an end to border feuds.
• The Vital Waters India and Bangladesh share 54 common rivers, which have often been the cause for disputes. The two countries signed the Ganga Waters Treaty in 1996. Need to sign agreements in respect of Teesta and Feni rivers. These agreements are part of the reason why the chief ministers of India's north-eastern states are accompanying the prime minister to Dhaka.

BILATERAL TRADE

A remaining area on which Bangladesh has a legitimate grievance will hopefully be addressed during Dr. Singh's visit. This is the growing trade deficit — Indian exports to Bangladesh in 2010-11 stood at $ 3.84 billion, while we imported barely $ 406.3 million of Bangladesh's products. Bangladesh has been asking us to relax our garment import curbs. While the Commerce Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, demurred, one hopes Dr. Singh will show accommodation on this score.

The India-Bangladesh relationship has to be strong enough to withstand changes in Government on both sides. 

We need to build on this through more multi-Party parliamentary exchanges. It is unfortunate that sustained efforts are not being made to cultivate Parliamentarians from Bangladesh, irrespective of their political affiliations

Posted in: India and Asia