PM’s India visit cements ties, opens new dimensions

An overseas trip by the head of the nation is always a significant chapter since during these visits, relations are fortified while new areas of cooperation, explored. In the case of a visit to India, the interest and the importance both are high because India is our closest neighbour and one of our biggest trading partners. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Indo-Bangla relations are not limited to commerce only and the bond profoundly impacts socio-political priorities.

As per a TBP report, PM Sheikh Hasina, referring to her recently concluded trip to India, said that Bangladesh will get fuel from India. Reportedly, the fuel will be transported from Assam’s Numaligarh to our depot in the north through a pipeline, which will be built by India.

The PM further added that when the supply of fuel starts, the economic activities of north Bangladesh and the wellbeing of the people living there will get a boost.

The premier underlined that the cooperation between two countries will be beneficial for both sides.

During the trip, seven MoUs were signed; 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.

The visit took place after three years – a period when the world faced the biggest calamity in recent times. In a post Covid-19 world, we are facing another catastrophe with the war in Europe severely disrupting global trade. The precarious condition across the globe makes regional camaraderie more important. It’s in the interest of both Bangladesh and India to work together to ensure the ongoing global economic ferment has minimum impact.

The MoUs with India has been dissected; in time, we will see the results but the common expectation from the masses is to have equal share of water plus a chance for Bangladeshi products to find a market in India.

The withdrawing of anti-dumping duty on jute products continues to be a major demand and India needs to address this with magnanimity because countless Indian products available in Bangladesh are cheaper than locally made ones.

Protectionism has to be set aside in the name of friendship. To highlight what we already feel, India’s vocal role in settling the Rohingya imbroglio will help Bangladesh immensely.

In the avalanche of compassionate rhetoric, very little progress has been attained on the Rohingya matter – a truth we must accept.

Therefore, India will do justice to the ongoing bon homie by taking a concrete step to facilitate the repatriation of the displaced Rakhine people.

The visit, covered extensively both in India and Bangladesh, will set a template for the entente cordiale to develop in the coming days; therefore, the sooner the deals are implemented, the better.

While at the state level the visit has been presented as a success, there is often a feeling in Bangladesh that India usually gets more from us that she gives back. To prove this wrong depends upon our neighbour and their commitment to give material form to the pledges.