Against the backdrop of a changed political scenario in Bangladesh, jurist and former politician Abdur Razzaq critiques the Indo-Bangladesh relationship, emphasising India's dominance and exploitation of Bangladesh in defence, strategic, and economic matters. It highlights past grievances, unfair treaties, and ecological damage caused by India. The author calls for a more equal and respectful relationship, urging Bangladesh to assert its sovereignty and renegotiate unfair agreements.
I believe that the relationship between Dhaka and Delhi could have been as strong as the one between Washington and London. The Washington-London relationship is special, characterized by mutual respect and trust. But, it is unimaginable for America to interfere in Britain’s internal affairs or those of France or Germany.
Why isn’t there a similar relationship between India and Bangladesh? The short answer is that India tends to dominate and exploit Bangladesh, taking undue advantage from defence, strategic, and economic perspectives. India often prioritises its own interests over Bangladesh’s legitimate needs. This mindset has existed since before India’s independence in 1947.
In March 1946, the Labour government under Prime Minister Clement Attlee sent the Cabinet Mission to India to address the country’s complex constitutional issues. The Cabinet Mission rejected the idea of Pakistan, instead proposing a federal India with three groups: Group A (present-day India), Group B (present-day Pakistan), and Group C (Bengal and Assam). The Muslim League accepted this plan, but the Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, rejected it, seeking a united India under Hindu majority rule. Historians agree that the Cabinet Mission plan could have been the best solution, potentially avoiding partition and subsequent wars, and creating a subcontinent similar to Western Europe. Moreover, present-day India would have been the leader of the groups. However, that was not to be because of the narrow mindset of Congress.
Unfortunately, the same Indian attitude persists today. Over the past 15 years, India has supported a brutal dictatorship in Bangladesh, disregarding the will of the Bangladeshi people, leading to widespread anti-India sentiment. India also has strained relationships with other neighbours, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Maldives.
Our relationship with India depends on whether Bangladesh has a democratic or undemocratic government. It was shameful when the de facto head of Bangladesh’s interim government in 2007, Moin U Ahmed, asked Indian leader Pranab Mukherjee to secure his position. It was even more disgraceful when a foreign minister under Sheikh Hasina publicly asked India to help keep Hasina in power as if Bangladesh were an Indian colony. Sheikh Hasina herself has declared, “I have given so much to India that they could not think of any more,” implying that her duty as Prime Minister was to protect India’s interests. This mentality has led to a belief that Bangladesh cannot survive without appeasing India. However, on August 5, our people proved this wrong, led by young students.
We are a nation of 173 million people. Our strength lies in our national unity, democracy, judicial independence, rule of law, economic development, and constitutionalism. By preserving these values, we can engage with any regional or global power with honour and dignity.
Our relationship with India has faced significant challenges over the years. In May 1975, the Indian government initiated the Farakka Barrage project as a ‘trial run’ by misleading the Mujib government. This ‘trial run’ has continued for 50 years, causing severe ecological damage, particularly in the Rajshahi region of northeastern Bangladesh. The once-mighty Padma River has dried up over many miles, and the current generation has no idea of its former grandeur. Additionally, we have been deprived of our fair share of the Teesta River, which is now a point of contention between China and India.
We have granted India transit and trans-shipment rights, potentially compromising our sovereignty. The nation remains unaware of the benefits gained in return, despite past government claims that this would transform Bangladesh into a new Singapore. Furthermore, the public is largely unaware of the terms and conditions of many treaties signed with India, even though Article 145A of our Constitution requires all treaties to be presented before Parliament. We suffer losses in border and international trade with India, and the Border Security Force (BSF) frequently kills our citizens at the border with impunity.
It is widely known that India’s foreign policy towards Bangladesh is primarily shaped by its intelligence agency, RAW, which is problematic.
We desire a good neighbourly relationship with India, based on equality and mutual respect between two sovereign nations. We do not want a repeat of the past government’s submissive foreign policy towards India. Our politicians should recognise that India is not monolithic and should engage with its diverse society to benefit Bangladesh. They need to develop the confidence to do so.
Once we have our internal affairs in order, we should reevaluate and renegotiate all unfair clauses in our agreements and treaties with India, asserting our sovereignty with honour and dignity.
Historically, Indian political leadership has sought to dominate and exploit neighbouring countries, leading to poor and sometimes sour relationships. This is a dark chapter in India’s foreign policy, and ultimately, India is the loser. The sooner India realises this, the better it will be for India, its people, and its neighbouring countries in the Himalayan subcontinent.