India can draw satisfaction from the fact that in Sheikh Hasina Wazed this country has a friend who has been consistent in her friendship and steadfast in her endeavours towards cooperation. That the Bangladesh Prime Minister is undertaking her first official visit to India after Narendra Modi took over Indian prime ministership should be an occasion for stock-taking and forward movement. She is coming later this week at a time when China is assiduously wooing her to wean her away from India’s influence. India hopes to fund 17 projects in Bangladesh through a proposed $ 5 billion line of credit, the highest offered to any country so far. To that end the visit of Sheikh Hasina will be the clincher. In the case of China, the project is identified first and only then the money is given but India offers a line of credit first and then identifies the project.
The bulk of the new line of credit is expected to be used for connectivity projects –railway projects, road construction and maintenance—in India’s quest to link up with the Indian northeast and with southeast Asia through Bangladesh. For instance, there is a plan to start ferry services connecting Assam, Bangladesh and West Bengal. The connectivity exercises would enable Bangladesh to improve its link-up with South and Southeast Asia including Nepal and Bhutan. There is indeed considerable promise in upgrading the relationship to a special one. India-Bangladesh trade has grown by more than 17 per cent in the last five years but it is heavily in favour of India and imports from Bangladesh need to be stepped up substantially. Considering that poor rail and road connectivity has been a major roadblock in boosting trade, the new thrust will be crucial. The four current border ‘haats’ along the India-Bangladesh border are proving to be a hit. The supply of Indian power is also ready for enhancement and there is an energy cooperation plan within the India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal framework on the anvil.
Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina has been cooperating in turning over terrorists to India. Besides, cattle smuggling has decreased. A five-year agreement is on the cards for bilateral defence cooperation for joint initiatives in defence technology, research and maritime infrastructure development. All in all, there is considerable scope for enhancing India-Bangladesh cooperation and Sheikh Hasina’s visit should help cement the already happy ties further.
