✏️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.
✏️RIVER WATER STATUS BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH
🔶 India and Bangladesh share 54 common rivers: Ganga and Brahmaputra are chief among
them. Bangladesh is a lower riparian state.
🔶Joint Rivers Water Commission was formed in 1972 for carrying out survey of the shared river systems.
🔶 Farrakka Barrage constructed in 1975 by India to use water from Ganges to flush the Hooghly river and keep the Kolkata Port operational, became a bone of contention.
🔶A settlement was finally reached in 1977, with a new government in India led by the Janata party, known as the Farakka accord.
🔶The Ganges Waters Treaty was signed in 1996 for the sharing of waters of the River Ganges during the lean season (January 1-May 31).
🔶On the Teesta River, an interim agreement was reached by both sides for water sharing in 1984. However, a final agreement has been elusive. The West Bengal’s government’s opposes any such agreement perceived to be unjust & insensitive to West Bengal’s water needs & demands
🔶 India and Bangladesh share 54 common rivers: Ganga and Brahmaputra are chief among
them. Bangladesh is a lower riparian state.
🔶Joint Rivers Water Commission was formed in 1972 for carrying out survey of the shared river systems.
🔶 Farrakka Barrage constructed in 1975 by India to use water from Ganges to flush the Hooghly river and keep the Kolkata Port operational, became a bone of contention.
🔶A settlement was finally reached in 1977, with a new government in India led by the Janata party, known as the Farakka accord.
🔶The Ganges Waters Treaty was signed in 1996 for the sharing of waters of the River Ganges during the lean season (January 1-May 31).
🔶On the Teesta River, an interim agreement was reached by both sides for water sharing in 1984. However, a final agreement has been elusive. The West Bengal’s government’s opposes any such agreement perceived to be unjust & insensitive to West Bengal’s water needs & demands
📝The Border Issue between India and Bangladesh
🔶India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of border, which is the longest land boundary that India shares with any of its neighbours.
🔶Before the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) came in to effect in 2015, the border was contentious due to numerous exclaves and enclaves.
🔶 For allowing Bangladesh access to its enclaves in West Bengal, the Government of India had agreed to lease out a small corridor of land (Teen Bigha Corridor) in 1974, however, it faced strong domestic opposition within India & the matter was finally resolved only in 1982. This generated needless friction over the delay in implementation of the agreement.
🔶India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of border, which is the longest land boundary that India shares with any of its neighbours.
🔶Before the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) came in to effect in 2015, the border was contentious due to numerous exclaves and enclaves.
🔶 For allowing Bangladesh access to its enclaves in West Bengal, the Government of India had agreed to lease out a small corridor of land (Teen Bigha Corridor) in 1974, however, it faced strong domestic opposition within India & the matter was finally resolved only in 1982. This generated needless friction over the delay in implementation of the agreement.
📝The Borders and Boundaries: Key Agreements Between India and Bangladesh
🔶A Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) was signed in 2011 to synergize the
efforts of both Border Guarding Forces for more effective control over cross border illegal
activities and crimes as well as for the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the India-Bangladesh border.
🔶The Land boundary agreement (LBA) was implemented in 2015.
🔶Government of India has sanctioned barbed wire fencing to the extent of 3326.14 km along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Out of this, fencing to the extent of 2731 km has been completed till March 2017.
🔶The settlement of the maritime boundary arbitration between India and Bangladesh, as per UNCLOS award on July 7, 2014, paved the way for the economic development of this
part of the Bay of Bengal and is seen as beneficial to both countries
🔶A Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) was signed in 2011 to synergize the
efforts of both Border Guarding Forces for more effective control over cross border illegal
activities and crimes as well as for the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the India-Bangladesh border.
🔶The Land boundary agreement (LBA) was implemented in 2015.
🔶Government of India has sanctioned barbed wire fencing to the extent of 3326.14 km along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Out of this, fencing to the extent of 2731 km has been completed till March 2017.
🔶The settlement of the maritime boundary arbitration between India and Bangladesh, as per UNCLOS award on July 7, 2014, paved the way for the economic development of this
part of the Bay of Bengal and is seen as beneficial to both countries
📝 India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA)
🔶India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), was first signed in 1974. A protocol to this agreement was signed in 2011.
The three outstanding issues were:
🔶 an un-demarcated land boundary of approximately 6.1 km
🔶 exchange of enclaves
🔶 unresolved adverse possession
📍The agreement was, Implemented in 2015, with the passage of relevant Act (100th Amendment Act) by the Indian Parliament and exchange of instruments the same year.
📍This step not only removed all hurdles for the final settlement of borders, but also ensured the way for exchange of Enclaves and merger of Adverse Possessions by re-drawing the International Boundary (IB), also known as the Radcliffe Line.
🔶India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), was first signed in 1974. A protocol to this agreement was signed in 2011.
The three outstanding issues were:
🔶 an un-demarcated land boundary of approximately 6.1 km
🔶 exchange of enclaves
🔶 unresolved adverse possession
📍The agreement was, Implemented in 2015, with the passage of relevant Act (100th Amendment Act) by the Indian Parliament and exchange of instruments the same year.
📍This step not only removed all hurdles for the final settlement of borders, but also ensured the way for exchange of Enclaves and merger of Adverse Possessions by re-drawing the International Boundary (IB), also known as the Radcliffe Line.
📝The Maritime Boundary Award
🔶 On 7 July 2014 a landmark judgment of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Attribution (PCA) awarded Bangladesh an area of 19,467 sq km, four-fifth of the total area of 25,602 sq km disputed maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal with India.
🔶The UN Tribunal’s award clearly delineated the course of maritime boundary line between India and Bangladesh in the territorial sea, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and
continental shelf within and beyond 200 nautical miles (nm).
🔶Now, Bangladesh’s maritime boundary has been extended by 118,813 sq km comprising 12
nm of territorial sea and an EEZ extending up to 200 nm into the high seas.
🔶 On 7 July 2014 a landmark judgment of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Attribution (PCA) awarded Bangladesh an area of 19,467 sq km, four-fifth of the total area of 25,602 sq km disputed maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal with India.
🔶The UN Tribunal’s award clearly delineated the course of maritime boundary line between India and Bangladesh in the territorial sea, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and
continental shelf within and beyond 200 nautical miles (nm).
🔶Now, Bangladesh’s maritime boundary has been extended by 118,813 sq km comprising 12
nm of territorial sea and an EEZ extending up to 200 nm into the high seas.
📝Significance of the Maritime Boundary Award
🔶The award is significant given the geo-strategic/political significance of greater Indian Ocean region and South Asian sub-region. Moreover, the award has wide security and economic implications not only for India and Bangladesh but also for the entire Bay of Bengal region.
🔶The verdict would contribute towards establishing strategic partnerships among the nations sharing borders in the Bay. The award is expected to have positive impact on emerging multilateral forum like BIMSTEC.
🔶 The verdict has been broadly accepted by both the countries as a positive development for further consolidation of friendly relations especially given the geo-strategic/political significance of greater Indian Ocean region and South Asian sub-region.
🔶The award is significant given the geo-strategic/political significance of greater Indian Ocean region and South Asian sub-region. Moreover, the award has wide security and economic implications not only for India and Bangladesh but also for the entire Bay of Bengal region.
🔶The verdict would contribute towards establishing strategic partnerships among the nations sharing borders in the Bay. The award is expected to have positive impact on emerging multilateral forum like BIMSTEC.
🔶 The verdict has been broadly accepted by both the countries as a positive development for further consolidation of friendly relations especially given the geo-strategic/political significance of greater Indian Ocean region and South Asian sub-region.
📝Economic Cooperation and Trade between India and Bangladesh
🔶Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown steadily over the last decade. In the last five years, total trade between the two countries has grown by more than 17%.India’s exports to Bangladesh in the period July 2016 – March 2017 stood at US$ 4489.30 million and imports from Bangladesh during FY 2016-17 stood at US$ 672.40 million.
🔶 There are estimates that the trade potential is at least four times the present level.
🔶 Lines of Credit: In recent Year India has extended three lines of credit worth US$ 8 billion to Bangladesh for a range of projects, including railway infrastructure, supply of BroadGauge microprocessor-based locomotives and passenger coaches, procurement of buses, and dredging projects. This is the largest quantum of credit India has extended to any other country by far and comes at a highly concessional rate of interest.
🔶Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown steadily over the last decade. In the last five years, total trade between the two countries has grown by more than 17%.India’s exports to Bangladesh in the period July 2016 – March 2017 stood at US$ 4489.30 million and imports from Bangladesh during FY 2016-17 stood at US$ 672.40 million.
🔶 There are estimates that the trade potential is at least four times the present level.
🔶 Lines of Credit: In recent Year India has extended three lines of credit worth US$ 8 billion to Bangladesh for a range of projects, including railway infrastructure, supply of BroadGauge microprocessor-based locomotives and passenger coaches, procurement of buses, and dredging projects. This is the largest quantum of credit India has extended to any other country by far and comes at a highly concessional rate of interest.
📝Energy Power Status Between India and Bangladesh
🔶Government-to-government power trade is 1,300 MW from India to Bangladesh.
🔶 India’s state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is building the Rampal coal-fired power plant in Bangladesh.
🔶In the private sector, Reliance Power has won approval to set up a 750 MW LNG-based power plant and an LNG terminal in Bangladesh, paving the way for $1.3 billion investment, and Adani Group is set to sell 3,000 MW power to Bangladesh.
🔶Connectivity: the focus has been road, rail, rivers, sea, transmission lines, petroleum pipelines, and digital links that would give India access to the Northeast and to Southeast Asia through Bangladesh.
🔶Government-to-government power trade is 1,300 MW from India to Bangladesh.
🔶 India’s state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is building the Rampal coal-fired power plant in Bangladesh.
🔶In the private sector, Reliance Power has won approval to set up a 750 MW LNG-based power plant and an LNG terminal in Bangladesh, paving the way for $1.3 billion investment, and Adani Group is set to sell 3,000 MW power to Bangladesh.
🔶Connectivity: the focus has been road, rail, rivers, sea, transmission lines, petroleum pipelines, and digital links that would give India access to the Northeast and to Southeast Asia through Bangladesh.
📝Connectivity between India and Bangladesh
🔶Two Trains services, Maitri and Bandhan, run between Kolkata and Dhaka.
🔶The new Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala bus service via Dhaka was started in 2016.
🔶 Trains are planned to run from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka, a project to be completed in 2019. on the Completion of the Akhaura-Agartala section the railway distance between Tripura and Kolkata would be reduced by over 1,000 km .
🔶The two sides agreed to examine the request of Bangladesh to establish a new rail link between Panchagarh (Bangladesh) to Siliguri (India).
🔶Bangladesh-India coastal shipping began operationalisation in March 2016.
🔶 In 2017 Bangladesh allowed Indian vessels to dock at Chittagong Port, the first time after 40 years. Indian companies are interested in developing Payra Port.
🔶 Trucks carrying Indian goods reached Tripura from Ashuganj port in Bangladesh on June 19 2016, making the long-cherished idea of transshipment into reality
🔶Two Trains services, Maitri and Bandhan, run between Kolkata and Dhaka.
🔶The new Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala bus service via Dhaka was started in 2016.
🔶 Trains are planned to run from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka, a project to be completed in 2019. on the Completion of the Akhaura-Agartala section the railway distance between Tripura and Kolkata would be reduced by over 1,000 km .
🔶The two sides agreed to examine the request of Bangladesh to establish a new rail link between Panchagarh (Bangladesh) to Siliguri (India).
🔶Bangladesh-India coastal shipping began operationalisation in March 2016.
🔶 In 2017 Bangladesh allowed Indian vessels to dock at Chittagong Port, the first time after 40 years. Indian companies are interested in developing Payra Port.
🔶 Trucks carrying Indian goods reached Tripura from Ashuganj port in Bangladesh on June 19 2016, making the long-cherished idea of transshipment into reality