Relations in Recent: Visits, Border Dispute Genesis and Genesis

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Steps Forward vs Steps Backward
Steps ForwardSteps Backward
During recent visit to Bangladesh, SM Krishna signed an agreement on the protection and promotion of investments on both sidesThere are extreme right-wing parties in Bangladesh (e. g. BNP) which have opposed the recent strengthening of ties with India. If this government loses power, other governments might not maintain this friendly attitude towards India.
Conducted joint census exercise in the enclaves in 2011In 2010, some 74 Bangladeshis were killed by the BSF
Border management deal signed in July 2011.Minor glitch in 2011 when PM MMS mentioned that 25% of Bangladeshis are anti-India. < But Bangladesh handled this well and underplayed the remark. This shows that the two countries are moving towards a more mature relationship >
Bangladesh has cracked down upon the anti-India insurgent groups based in BangladeshTeesta issue was not resolved in the Sept 2011 meeting. Mamta Banerjee withdrew from the meeting
Signed a crucial deal to allow the Indian goods to be trans-shipped to India՚s land locked NE region (?)
India has accorded a credit line of US $ 1 billion to Bangladesh for improving railway infrastructure, supply of 250 MW electricity every day and dredger to de-silt rivers. It is the largest sum of soft credit India has ever offered to any country.
Transport line through Bangladesh will be beneficial for India to access its North-Eastern states. Two countries have agreed to link Agartala (Tripura) and Akhuara in Bangladesh by Rail
Due to Bangladesh՚s crackdown ULFA has agreed to hold a peace dialogue with Indian government.
India allowed Bangladesh transit through its territory for trade with the landlocked Nepal and Bhutan
India՚s help to Bangladesh during times of natural disaster etc
In 2010, Bangladesh allowed India, Nepal, and Bhutan to use the Chittagong and Mongla seaports for the landlocked Indian northeast.
In Aug 2011, signed joint border maps, finalising the 4156 km long frontier between the neighbours
Cross border trade has got a boost with the opening of new land ports and building of a new immigration building and truck terminal at India՚s Petra pole port bordering West Bengal
In Sept 2011, MMS visited Bangladesh. Demarcation of border agreed on. But sharing of river water, especially Teesta, is still an issue

Border Dispute Genesis

  • Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman agreed to demarcate in 1974 the border between the two countries.
  • Later, the two governments arrived at shared maps of 4096 km – but disputed enclaves left 6.5 km unresolved
  • India has 111 enclaves spread over 17158 acres in Bangladesh (150000 residents)
  • Bangladesh has 51 enclaves, covering 7110 acres inside India, with a population of about 50000
  • In addition, 38 patches of Indian territory spread over 3000 acres are in the possession of Bangladesh, while some 50 patches of Bangladesh territory measuring about 3345 acres are held by India

Genesis

  • Rajas of Cooch Behar and Rangpur in the 18th century used to put up lands as stakes in chess games between them. Hence, patches went to different Rajas
  • These territories were not accounted for at the time of the partition of India
  • They thus became enclaves when the princely states joined the new countries.