MoUs with India adding new dimension to friendship

As the world is reeling from the ripples of the aftermath of Covid-19 and the ongoing conflict in Europe, PM Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India becomes a landmark moment since both countries need to unite to ward off the impact of a slowing down global economy.

The world is inexorably sliding towards recession with economists making a grim prediction about tough days to come. However, with proper planning, the damage from a slump can be minimised. The PM’s visit in a time when the world is going through socio-political upheaval underlines the need for harnessing the best out of long standing camaraderie between the two nations.

According to a report published in The Business Post on Wednesday, Dhaka and New Delhi on Tuesday signed seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the second day of PM Sheikh Hasina’s India tour.

These are – MoU on withdrawal of 153 cusec water from Kushiyara River by Bangladesh under Upper Surma-Kushiyara Project, Sylhet via Rahmipur, MoU on Scientific Cooperation between Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India and Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), MoU between National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, India and Supreme Court of Bangladesh, MoU between Ministry of Railways, India and Bangladesh Railway for the training of Bangladesh Railway personnel at the training Institutes of Indian Railway, MoU between Ministry of Railways, India and Bangladesh Railway for collaboration for IT solutions for Bangladesh Railway, MoU between Prasar Bharati and Bangladesh Television and MoU on cooperation in the areas of Space Technology.

Naturally, these agreements will trigger in depth analysis from specialists in the coming days but the common expectation from the masses will be to get an equal share of the benefits arising from these deals.

Contention over water sharing has been a standard talking point between the two nations; therefore, the withdrawal of water from Kushiyara will be welcomed. More details need to be released to the nation about the scientific cooperation between CSIR and BCSIR.

Since India has made sparkling strides in scientific research, this agreement must include training Bangladeshi scientists and researchers with state of the art knowledge, which can be implemented for development. Indian Railway is among the five biggest rail networks in the world, so getting training from them will surely help Bangladesh to make railways more efficient.

In this regard, the main thrust can be on luxury train travelling that can ease pressure on the roads while offering train rides exclusively for entertainment.

The other MoU raising much interest is the one between BTV and Prasar Bharati. It’s not clear if this will allow Bangladeshi programmes to be aired in India or not. Indian programmes are seen in Bangladesh whereas those across the border often do not get access to Bangladeshi programmes and drama. The cultural exchange has to be balanced and not a one way traffic.

The matter of Bangladeshi professionals getting the chance to work in India seems to be side lined although this is a matter of importance. Multinationals and other enterprises in Bangladesh have Indian professionals whereas the number of Bangladeshis with adequate expertise is rarely seen to be working in India.

Arguably, with global exposure, Bangladesh now has a very dynamic and driven corporate culture with professionals who can compete with the best. To fortify Indo-Bangla relation, the governments of two nations need to jointly finance movies, dubbed in both Bangla and Hindi, for a vibrant cultural bridge.

It’s believed, during the ongoing trip, the protracted Rohingya issue will be discussed. In this matter, Bangladesh has to get a definitive position from India instead of diplomatic rhetoric.

As a regional powerhouse, India is in a position to exert pressure on Myanmar to give due attention to the matter which has been in limbo for more than five years.