✏️ DIFFERENT TRACKS OF DIPLOMACY
♦️ The word tracks in this context means channels used by international state order to undertake negotiations.
♦️ Track–I: This means official diplomacy where heads of the states and diplomats and other government officials interact and negotiate to resolve issues.
♦️ Track–II: This means use of non-official actors like NGOs, civil societies, business houses, media persons and even conflict resolution specialists negotiate to resolve issues.
♦️ Multi-track: Multi-track diplomacy is a term coined by Dr Louis Diamond who has identified nine different tracks of diplomacy. The word track is mentioned as (T) in the below diagram.
♦️ The word tracks in this context means channels used by international state order to undertake negotiations.
♦️ Track–I: This means official diplomacy where heads of the states and diplomats and other government officials interact and negotiate to resolve issues.
♦️ Track–II: This means use of non-official actors like NGOs, civil societies, business houses, media persons and even conflict resolution specialists negotiate to resolve issues.
♦️ Multi-track: Multi-track diplomacy is a term coined by Dr Louis Diamond who has identified nine different tracks of diplomacy. The word track is mentioned as (T) in the below diagram.
✏️THREE WORLD THEORY
♦️The First World refers to the club of rich nations and this term came into use during the War to signify the nations of the West led by the capitalist US.
♦️The Second World during the Cold War signified states economically and militarily stronger than the Third World and the countries led by USSR had this tag.
♦️A stereotypical term, Third World, was used to signify states which were decolonised after the World War II and were less industrialised and relatively poor states.
♦️Though the Third World
countries were mostly non-aligned countries, the tag was also associated with the communist state of Cuba.
♦️The First World refers to the club of rich nations and this term came into use during the War to signify the nations of the West led by the capitalist US.
♦️The Second World during the Cold War signified states economically and militarily stronger than the Third World and the countries led by USSR had this tag.
♦️A stereotypical term, Third World, was used to signify states which were decolonised after the World War II and were less industrialised and relatively poor states.
♦️Though the Third World
countries were mostly non-aligned countries, the tag was also associated with the communist state of Cuba.
✏️PING-PONG DIPLOMACY
🔶 In the initial years of the Cold War, the US perceived China as a threat because of the Chinese propensity to lean towards the Soviet. In Early 1970s, the US and China began to exchange table tennis players.
🔶These table tennis matches paved a way for the two to open up communication channels which ultimately culminated in Nixon’s visit to China.
🔶The ping pong refers to the table tennis opening up diplomatic channels of communication.
🔶 In the initial years of the Cold War, the US perceived China as a threat because of the Chinese propensity to lean towards the Soviet. In Early 1970s, the US and China began to exchange table tennis players.
🔶These table tennis matches paved a way for the two to open up communication channels which ultimately culminated in Nixon’s visit to China.
🔶The ping pong refers to the table tennis opening up diplomatic channels of communication.
✏️INDIA AND REALISMS IN KAUTILYA'S ARTHASHASHTRA
🔶The ancient Indian period saw numerous religious norms exercised within the purview of international relations. There were elaborate rituals on diplomacy.
🔶The birth of the idea of diplomatic envoys goes back to the times of the Rig Veda; however, the existence of diplomatic missions in reality emerged much later.
🔶The conduct of the state in war and at times of diplomacy emerged during the times of the scholar Kautilya.
🔶 His Arthashastra specially talks about diplomacy. It is only in Arthashastra that we get an in-depth idea of ancient Indian diplomacy.
🔶The ancient Indian period saw numerous religious norms exercised within the purview of international relations. There were elaborate rituals on diplomacy.
🔶The birth of the idea of diplomatic envoys goes back to the times of the Rig Veda; however, the existence of diplomatic missions in reality emerged much later.
🔶The conduct of the state in war and at times of diplomacy emerged during the times of the scholar Kautilya.
🔶 His Arthashastra specially talks about diplomacy. It is only in Arthashastra that we get an in-depth idea of ancient Indian diplomacy.
✏️FACTORS SHAPING INDIA'S FOREIGN POLICY
🔶The foreign policy of any country as well as its success or failure is determined by many factors. To name a few:
🔶 HISTORY: Political Tradition and philosophical basis as in case of India peaceful coexistence as well as non aggression are attributed to its history and culture and political tradition.
🔶 GEOGRAPHY: location and resources- Geo-politics and Geo-strategy: Many rivers in India are transboundary e.g Ganges, Brahmaputra, Teesta. Himalaya and the Indian Ocean are crucial for India’s security.
🔶 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: the development needs and stage of a country contribute to its foreign policy choices and both in terms of means and ends.
🔶 DOMESTIC MILIEU: Institutions, political atmosphere and consensus on National Interest, needs, ambitions and capabilities, Leadership, bureaucracy.
🔶 INTERNATIONAL MILIEU: War, peace and stability e.g. a peaceful external environment is conducive for economic growth and development.
🔶The foreign policy of any country as well as its success or failure is determined by many factors. To name a few:
🔶 HISTORY: Political Tradition and philosophical basis as in case of India peaceful coexistence as well as non aggression are attributed to its history and culture and political tradition.
🔶 GEOGRAPHY: location and resources- Geo-politics and Geo-strategy: Many rivers in India are transboundary e.g Ganges, Brahmaputra, Teesta. Himalaya and the Indian Ocean are crucial for India’s security.
🔶 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: the development needs and stage of a country contribute to its foreign policy choices and both in terms of means and ends.
🔶 DOMESTIC MILIEU: Institutions, political atmosphere and consensus on National Interest, needs, ambitions and capabilities, Leadership, bureaucracy.
🔶 INTERNATIONAL MILIEU: War, peace and stability e.g. a peaceful external environment is conducive for economic growth and development.
✏️EVOLUTION OF INDIA'S FOREIGN POLICY
📍1947-1962: INTERNATIONALIST, IDEALIST INDIA
🔶Independent India’s foreign policy was the result of multiple factors such as the legacy of national movement against the British rule, post-Second World War developments, domestic
needs and personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
🔶Even the Indian constitution included a provision, under article 51, for promotion of international peace and security, wherein the state shall Endeavour to:
🔶(a) Promote international peace and security;
🔶(b) Maintain just and honourable relations between nations;
🔶(c) Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised peoples with one another; and
🔶(d) encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.
📍1947-1962: INTERNATIONALIST, IDEALIST INDIA
🔶Independent India’s foreign policy was the result of multiple factors such as the legacy of national movement against the British rule, post-Second World War developments, domestic
needs and personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
🔶Even the Indian constitution included a provision, under article 51, for promotion of international peace and security, wherein the state shall Endeavour to:
🔶(a) Promote international peace and security;
🔶(b) Maintain just and honourable relations between nations;
🔶(c) Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised peoples with one another; and
🔶(d) encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.
✏️ NON - ALIGNED INDIA
🔶The formative influence of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru is the feature of initial years of foreign policy of India which left a long lasting impact and polarised opinions for years to come.
🔶His vision included special status of India given its history, size and potential. It was a foreign policy predicated on internationalism, Afro-Asian Solidarity, anti colonialism and non alignment in the era of cold war power politics dominated by the two superpowers i.e. the USA and the USSR.
🔶Even before India became Independent the Asian relations Conference was held in New Delhi from 23 March to 2 April 1947. Mr. Nehru observed “we stand at the end of an era and on the threshold of a new period of history... Asia, after a long period of quiescence, has suddenly become important again in world affairs”.
🔶The formative influence of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru is the feature of initial years of foreign policy of India which left a long lasting impact and polarised opinions for years to come.
🔶His vision included special status of India given its history, size and potential. It was a foreign policy predicated on internationalism, Afro-Asian Solidarity, anti colonialism and non alignment in the era of cold war power politics dominated by the two superpowers i.e. the USA and the USSR.
🔶Even before India became Independent the Asian relations Conference was held in New Delhi from 23 March to 2 April 1947. Mr. Nehru observed “we stand at the end of an era and on the threshold of a new period of history... Asia, after a long period of quiescence, has suddenly become important again in world affairs”.
✏️PANCHASEEL AGREEMENT
🔶In this period the approach towards foreign relations was further underlined by the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence”, known as the Panchsheel Treaty between China and India in 1954.
🔶They were enunciated in the preamble to the "Agreement (with exchange of notes) on trade and intercourse between Tibet Region of China and India", which was signed at Peking on 29 April 1954.
This agreement stated the five principles as:
🔶1. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
🔶2. Mutual non-aggression.
🔶3. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
🔶4. Equality and cooperation for mutual benefit.
🔶5. Peaceful co-existence.
🔶In this period the approach towards foreign relations was further underlined by the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence”, known as the Panchsheel Treaty between China and India in 1954.
🔶They were enunciated in the preamble to the "Agreement (with exchange of notes) on trade and intercourse between Tibet Region of China and India", which was signed at Peking on 29 April 1954.
This agreement stated the five principles as:
🔶1. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
🔶2. Mutual non-aggression.
🔶3. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
🔶4. Equality and cooperation for mutual benefit.
🔶5. Peaceful co-existence.
✏️SETBACK WITH CHINA : 1962
🔶One of the key elements of a foreign policy based on the idea of nonalignment was the limitation of high defence expenditures. Such a policy weakened the hard power capabilities of India.
🔶 It was tested most acutely in its relations with People’s Republic of China (PRC). India gave refuge to the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in 1959 and negotiations with the PRC reached a dead end in 1960.
🔶Consequently, India adopted, in the words of Sumit Ganguly, a “strategy of compellence designed to restore what it deemed to be the territorial status quo along the disputed Himalayan border”.
🔶It involved sending in lightly armed, poorly equipped and ill-prepared troops to high altitudes without adequate supply lines. This policy, however, was proved to be ill conceived.
🔶One of the key elements of a foreign policy based on the idea of nonalignment was the limitation of high defence expenditures. Such a policy weakened the hard power capabilities of India.
🔶 It was tested most acutely in its relations with People’s Republic of China (PRC). India gave refuge to the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in 1959 and negotiations with the PRC reached a dead end in 1960.
🔶Consequently, India adopted, in the words of Sumit Ganguly, a “strategy of compellence designed to restore what it deemed to be the territorial status quo along the disputed Himalayan border”.
🔶It involved sending in lightly armed, poorly equipped and ill-prepared troops to high altitudes without adequate supply lines. This policy, however, was proved to be ill conceived.
✏️THE COLOMBO CONFERENCE AND LIMITS OF NON- ALIGNED MOVEMENT
🔶Six of the non-aligned nations — Egypt, Burma, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Indonesia,selected on the basis that they were all acceptable to India and China - met in Colombo on 10 December 1962.
🔶The proposals that emerged from the Colombo Conference stipulated a Chinese withdrawal of 20 km from the ceasefire line observed by China without any reciprocal withdrawal on India’s behalf.
🔶Nevertheless,India accepted the proposals while China accepted them in principle as the basis to start negotiations. Eventually the initiative withered away.
🔶Thus, 1962 war with China marked an end to a phase in India’s foreign policy marked by idealism with initial success and multiple legacies that India had to contend with in the future.
🔶Six of the non-aligned nations — Egypt, Burma, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Indonesia,selected on the basis that they were all acceptable to India and China - met in Colombo on 10 December 1962.
🔶The proposals that emerged from the Colombo Conference stipulated a Chinese withdrawal of 20 km from the ceasefire line observed by China without any reciprocal withdrawal on India’s behalf.
🔶Nevertheless,India accepted the proposals while China accepted them in principle as the basis to start negotiations. Eventually the initiative withered away.
🔶Thus, 1962 war with China marked an end to a phase in India’s foreign policy marked by idealism with initial success and multiple legacies that India had to contend with in the future.
✏️ A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE NON ALIGNED MOVEMENT
🔶Six years after Bandung, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was founded on a wider geographical basis at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade, which was held on September 1-6, 1961.
🔶The Conference was attended by 25 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Yemen, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India,
Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia,
and Yugoslavia.
🔶In 1960, in the light of the results achieved in Bandung, the creation of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was given boost during the Fifteenth Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly, during which 17 new African and Asian countries were admitted to the UN .
🔶Six years after Bandung, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was founded on a wider geographical basis at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade, which was held on September 1-6, 1961.
🔶The Conference was attended by 25 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Yemen, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India,
Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia,
and Yugoslavia.
🔶In 1960, in the light of the results achieved in Bandung, the creation of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was given boost during the Fifteenth Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly, during which 17 new African and Asian countries were admitted to the UN .
✏️OBJECTIVES OF NON ALIGNED COUNTRIES
🔶The support of self-determination, national independence and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States;
🔶 opposition to apartheid;
🔶 non-adherence to multilateral military pacts and the independence of non-aligned countries from great power or block influences and rivalries;
🔶 the struggle against imperialism in all its forms and manifestations;
🔶 the struggle against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, foreign occupation and
domination;
🔶 disarmament;
🔶non-interference into the internal affairs of States and peaceful coexistence among all
nations;
🔶 rejection of the use or threat of use of force in international relations;
🔶 the strengthening of the United Nations; the democratization of international relations;
🔶 Socioeconomic development and the restructuring of the international economic system;
as well as international cooperation on an equal footing.
🔶The support of self-determination, national independence and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States;
🔶 opposition to apartheid;
🔶 non-adherence to multilateral military pacts and the independence of non-aligned countries from great power or block influences and rivalries;
🔶 the struggle against imperialism in all its forms and manifestations;
🔶 the struggle against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, foreign occupation and
domination;
🔶 disarmament;
🔶non-interference into the internal affairs of States and peaceful coexistence among all
nations;
🔶 rejection of the use or threat of use of force in international relations;
🔶 the strengthening of the United Nations; the democratization of international relations;
🔶 Socioeconomic development and the restructuring of the international economic system;
as well as international cooperation on an equal footing.
✏️ PERIOD OF SELF HELP APPROACH 1962-1991
🔶In the aftermath of the China war Nehru faced criticism at home, however there was none
taller than him in the domestic politics. Thus, changes in India’s approach after the debacle also begun under him.
🔶Most importantly, India embarked on a substantial program of military modernization. It committed itself to the creation of a million-strong army with ten new mountain divisions equipped and trained for high altitude warfare, a 45-squadron air force with supersonic aircraft and a modest program of naval expansion.
🔶Even under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, after Nehru’s demise in 1964, India still did not formally abandon the stated adherence to a policy of nonalignment. As a result, at the level of rhetoric and principle nonalignment remained a constant feature of Indian foreign policy.
🔶In the aftermath of the China war Nehru faced criticism at home, however there was none
taller than him in the domestic politics. Thus, changes in India’s approach after the debacle also begun under him.
🔶Most importantly, India embarked on a substantial program of military modernization. It committed itself to the creation of a million-strong army with ten new mountain divisions equipped and trained for high altitude warfare, a 45-squadron air force with supersonic aircraft and a modest program of naval expansion.
🔶Even under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, after Nehru’s demise in 1964, India still did not formally abandon the stated adherence to a policy of nonalignment. As a result, at the level of rhetoric and principle nonalignment remained a constant feature of Indian foreign policy.
✏️OBJECTIVES OF NON ALIGNED COUNTRIES
🔶The support of self-determination, national independence and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States;
🔶 opposition to apartheid;
🔶 non-adherence to multilateral military pacts and the independence of non-aligned countries from great power or block influences and rivalries;
🔶 the struggle against imperialism in all its forms and manifestations;
🔶 the struggle against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, foreign occupation and
domination;
🔶 disarmament;
🔶non-interference into the internal affairs of States and peaceful coexistence among all
nations;
🔶 rejection of the use or threat of use of force in international relations;
🔶 the strengthening of the United Nations; the democratization of international relations;
🔶 Socioeconomic development and the restructuring of the international economic system;
as well as international cooperation on an equal footing.
🔶The support of self-determination, national independence and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States;
🔶 opposition to apartheid;
🔶 non-adherence to multilateral military pacts and the independence of non-aligned countries from great power or block influences and rivalries;
🔶 the struggle against imperialism in all its forms and manifestations;
🔶 the struggle against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, foreign occupation and
domination;
🔶 disarmament;
🔶non-interference into the internal affairs of States and peaceful coexistence among all
nations;
🔶 rejection of the use or threat of use of force in international relations;
🔶 the strengthening of the United Nations; the democratization of international relations;
🔶 Socioeconomic development and the restructuring of the international economic system;
as well as international cooperation on an equal footing.
✏️THE CHINESE NUCLEAR TEST AND AFTER
🔶Following the Chinese nuclear test at Lop Nor in 1964, arguments were made in the parliament called for an abandonment of nonalignment and even urged that India acquire an independent nuclear weapons option.
🔶Prime Minister Shastri privately explored the possibility of help from
the United States for nuclear security.
🔶 More importantly he declared India would not make nuclear weapons of its own. In 1966, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who succeeded Mr. Shastri, also decided to seek a nuclear guarantee from the great powers.
🔶 This effort, however, brought
no success. Hence, Prime Minister Gandhi authorized India’s Subterranean Nuclear Explosions Project (SNEP) which led to India’s first nuclear test of May 1974.
🔶Following the Chinese nuclear test at Lop Nor in 1964, arguments were made in the parliament called for an abandonment of nonalignment and even urged that India acquire an independent nuclear weapons option.
🔶Prime Minister Shastri privately explored the possibility of help from
the United States for nuclear security.
🔶 More importantly he declared India would not make nuclear weapons of its own. In 1966, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who succeeded Mr. Shastri, also decided to seek a nuclear guarantee from the great powers.
🔶 This effort, however, brought
no success. Hence, Prime Minister Gandhi authorized India’s Subterranean Nuclear Explosions Project (SNEP) which led to India’s first nuclear test of May 1974.
✏️THE SIMLA AGGREMENT
🔶In the aftermath of the war India adopted a magnanimous gesture as reflected in repatriation of more than 91,000 PoWs of Pakistan and the Simla Agreement signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan on 2 July 1972.
🔶It was much more than a peace treaty seeking to reverse the consequences of the 1971 war.
🔶 It was a comprehensive blue print for good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan.
🔶In the aftermath of the war India adopted a magnanimous gesture as reflected in repatriation of more than 91,000 PoWs of Pakistan and the Simla Agreement signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan on 2 July 1972.
🔶It was much more than a peace treaty seeking to reverse the consequences of the 1971 war.
🔶 It was a comprehensive blue print for good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan.
✏️PRINCIPLES OF SIMLA AGGREMENT
🔶A mutual commitment to the peaceful resolution of all issues through direct bilateral approaches.
🔶To build the foundations of a cooperative relationship with special focus on people to people contacts.
🔶To uphold the inviolability of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, this is a most important CBM between India and Pakistan, and a key to durable peace.
🔶Thus, even though on the face of it the agreement is criticised by many a lost opportunity, it established the framework that India has continuously put forward as a template to resolve all disputes within a bilateral framework.
🔶A mutual commitment to the peaceful resolution of all issues through direct bilateral approaches.
🔶To build the foundations of a cooperative relationship with special focus on people to people contacts.
🔶To uphold the inviolability of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, this is a most important CBM between India and Pakistan, and a key to durable peace.
🔶Thus, even though on the face of it the agreement is criticised by many a lost opportunity, it established the framework that India has continuously put forward as a template to resolve all disputes within a bilateral framework.
✏️ERA OF PRAGMATIC FOREIGN POLICY : 1991 AND AFTER :
🔶The disintegration of Soviet Union and the transformation of the international order with the end of cold war made it imperative for India to chart a new course in foreign policy.
🔶At the beginning of the post cold war era in international relations, the ascendance of US raised multiple questions on relevance of ideology in foreign policy as well as the option of
nonalignment.
🔶On the economic front the country was also confronted with an unprecedented balance of payment crisis partly as a consequence of the first Gulf War of 1991.
🔶The disintegration of Soviet Union and the transformation of the international order with the end of cold war made it imperative for India to chart a new course in foreign policy.
🔶At the beginning of the post cold war era in international relations, the ascendance of US raised multiple questions on relevance of ideology in foreign policy as well as the option of
nonalignment.
🔶On the economic front the country was also confronted with an unprecedented balance of payment crisis partly as a consequence of the first Gulf War of 1991.
✏️ BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
🔶This was also the beginning of an era of new engagement with the United States, which involved bilateral negotiations between US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott and India’s Minister of External Affairs Jaswant Singh (1998-2000). This was followed by a visit of President Clinton to India in 2000.
🔶The upswing in these relations since this period culminated in the Civil Nuclear Deal of 2005 which de-facto recognized India as a nuclear power as well asits responsible record on non-proliferation, thus paving way for an the beginning of the end to its isolation at technology regimes such as the Multilateral Export Control Regimes (MECR).
🔶Under Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee diplomacy with Pakistan, including a Bus trip involving the Prime Minister across the Border in 1999, could not yield much results. The Lahore declaration of February 1999 was followed by incursion in the Kargil region in Jammu and Kashmir.
🔶This was also the beginning of an era of new engagement with the United States, which involved bilateral negotiations between US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott and India’s Minister of External Affairs Jaswant Singh (1998-2000). This was followed by a visit of President Clinton to India in 2000.
🔶The upswing in these relations since this period culminated in the Civil Nuclear Deal of 2005 which de-facto recognized India as a nuclear power as well asits responsible record on non-proliferation, thus paving way for an the beginning of the end to its isolation at technology regimes such as the Multilateral Export Control Regimes (MECR).
🔶Under Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee diplomacy with Pakistan, including a Bus trip involving the Prime Minister across the Border in 1999, could not yield much results. The Lahore declaration of February 1999 was followed by incursion in the Kargil region in Jammu and Kashmir.
INDIA- BANGLADESH RELATIONS : FRATERNAL FRIENDSHIP
✏️ BACKGROUND
🔶 India and Bangladesh share land and maritime boundaries, ethnic ties across borders as well as trans-boundary rivers. Similarities in language, culture and development trajectory makes the relations special .
🔶 Geographical locations complement each other and present an opportunity for both to further develop their connectivity links and economies.
🔶 India played a significant role in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 by providing moral, material, military and diplomatic support to the Mukti Bahini and the leadership of the Awami League, especially Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
🔶 India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as a separate and independent state.
🔶 The 1972 India Bangladesh Treaty of Peace and Friendship laid the foundations of good relations between the two Countries
✏️ BACKGROUND
🔶 India and Bangladesh share land and maritime boundaries, ethnic ties across borders as well as trans-boundary rivers. Similarities in language, culture and development trajectory makes the relations special .
🔶 Geographical locations complement each other and present an opportunity for both to further develop their connectivity links and economies.
🔶 India played a significant role in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 by providing moral, material, military and diplomatic support to the Mukti Bahini and the leadership of the Awami League, especially Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
🔶 India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as a separate and independent state.
🔶 The 1972 India Bangladesh Treaty of Peace and Friendship laid the foundations of good relations between the two Countries
📝 EVOLUTION IN INDIA - BANGLADESH RELATIONS
🔶 Despite the bonhomie of initial years the relations soured especially since the military coup and assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the ascendance of the Military ruler Zia ur Rahman in the year 1975.
🔶 Bangladesh remained under Military or Quasi Military rule for 1975 to 1990.
🔶 This period, for most part, the relations were marked by brief periods of raised expectations and longer period coldness.
🔶 Begum Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Pary (BNP) became the Prime Minister in 1991. In 1996 Awami League came to Power under Sheikh Hasina. In 2001 she lost to the BNP and Khaleda Zia. 2008 Saw the victory of Awami league under Shiekh Hasina.
🔶 Despite the bonhomie of initial years the relations soured especially since the military coup and assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the ascendance of the Military ruler Zia ur Rahman in the year 1975.
🔶 Bangladesh remained under Military or Quasi Military rule for 1975 to 1990.
🔶 This period, for most part, the relations were marked by brief periods of raised expectations and longer period coldness.
🔶 Begum Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Pary (BNP) became the Prime Minister in 1991. In 1996 Awami League came to Power under Sheikh Hasina. In 2001 she lost to the BNP and Khaleda Zia. 2008 Saw the victory of Awami league under Shiekh Hasina.