{"id":55215,"date":"2025-11-21T13:10:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T13:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=55215"},"modified":"2025-11-21T13:29:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T13:29:01","slug":"india-bangladesh-relations-by-syed-irfan-ul-hassan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/india-bangladesh-relations-by-syed-irfan-ul-hassan\/","title":{"rendered":"India Bangladesh relations – by Syed Irfan Ul Hassan"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nSyed Irfan Ul Hassan <\/strong><\/p>\n

National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Islamabad<\/p>\n

\"\"I need to create an essay that includes references, and I might consider using web searches for the most current information, though it’s not strictly necessary since I can also draw from my existing knowledge. The guidelines say I shouldn’t include fake links, so I’ll focus on citing books and articles instead of URLs. Although the user didn’t specify a length, I think aiming for around 1000 words sounds good. I\u2019ll ensure the essay has a concise yet detailed overview with inline citations and a reference list, using markdown formatting.<\/think>India\u2013Bangladesh relations are shaped by deep historical, cultural, and geographic ties, but also by contentious issues such as water sharing, border management, migration, and trade imbalances. <\/em><\/p>\n

Since Bangladesh\u2019s independence in 1971, the relationship has gone through phases of strong cooperation, mutual suspicion, and renewed strategic partnership\u2014especially from the late 2000s onward.<\/p>\n

Since Bangladesh\u2019s independence in 1971, the relationship has gone through phases of strong cooperation, mutual suspicion, and renewed strategic partnership\u2014especially from the late 2000s onward.<\/p>\n

Below is an overview with scholarly-style references at the end.
\n1. Historical Foundations
\n1.1 Role of India in Bangladesh\u2019s Liberation<\/p>\n

Modern India\u2013Bangladesh relations begin with the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. India supported the Bengali nationalist movement against West Pakistan by:<\/p>\n

– Hosting about 10 million refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
\n– Providing political, military, and diplomatic support to the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi guerrilla forces).
\n– Intervening militarily in December 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
\nThis foundational role created an initial sense of gratitude but also a perception among some Bangladeshi groups of Indian dominance or interference in domestic affairs [Raghavan, 2013].<\/p>\n

1.2 Early Cooperation and Emerging Frictions (1970s\u20131980s)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangladesh\u2019s founding leader), relations with India were warm. Agreements included:<\/p>\n

– **1972 Indo\u2013Bangladesh Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace**, a 25\u2011year treaty signaling close political and security ties.
\n– Early cooperation on trade, communication links, and border management.<\/p>\n

However, after Sheikh Mujib\u2019s assassination in 1975 and subsequent military regimes in Dhaka, relations cooled. The new leadership often adopted more nationalist and sometimes anti\u2011Indian positions to balance relations with Pakistan, the United States, and China [Khan, 2016].<\/p>\n

Key irritants in this era included:<\/strong><\/p>\n

– Disputes over sharing the waters of transboundary rivers (especially the Ganges).
\n– Concerns in Bangladesh about Indian support to insurgent groups in its Chittagong Hill Tracts and, conversely, Indian complaints about anti\u2011India militant groups allegedly sheltering in Bangladesh.
\n– Suspicion in Dhaka that India sought to dominate its economy and politics.<\/p>\n

2. Key Issues in Bilateral Relations
\n2.1 Water Sharing and River Diplomacy<\/p>\n

India and Bangladesh share more than 50 rivers, making water a central strategic issue.<\/p>\n

– **Ganges Water Treaty (1996)**: After years of dispute over India\u2019s Farakka Barrage and its impact on downstream flows, India and Bangladesh signed a 30\u2011year treaty on Ganges waters. It laid out a formula for sharing dry-season flows and was a major diplomatic success in Sheikh Hasina\u2019s first term [Swain, 1998].
\n– **Teesta River Dispute**: A proposed Teesta water-sharing agreement has been stalled, largely due to opposition from the Indian state of West Bengal. For Bangladesh, Teesta is crucial for irrigation in its northern regions. The deadlock has become a symbol of incomplete trust and center\u2013state complications in Indian foreign policy [Datta, 2012].<\/p>\n

Bangladesh frequently raises concerns about upstream dams and diversions on shared rivers, while India emphasizes joint basin management and technical negotiations. River issues are deeply linked to climate vulnerability and livelihood security in Bangladesh, the lower riparian state.<\/p>\n

Pakistan Military Warns India on any False Flag in Sea ! Highlights Crime Terror Nexus ! Afghan Conditions not Significant ! DG ISPR<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n