Implement land boundary agreement to transform ties with Bangladesh

[Ray]

A big leap

Implement land boundary agreement to transform ties with Bangladesh

Coming in the wake of the recent India-Bangladesh foreign secretary-level consultations in Delhi, the cabinet committee on security's decision to green-light a constitutional amendment to ratify the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between the two countries is welcome. The protocol to the 1974 agreement was inked during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka last year. Once ratified, it would facilitate a swap of 162 enclaves and adverse possessions held by the two sides and give India its longest resolved land boundary - a first for New Delhi with any neighbour.

The strategic significance of this is incalculable. Even more than the Teesta river water treaty, the LBA is a big-ticket initiative that can galvanise bilateral ties. However, reservations on the part of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the BJP have impeded its implementation. The BJP has proposed a complete exchange of populations residing in the enclaves.

In the 21st century, we must look beyond ethnic cleansing and pursue policies based on choice. It's imperative to note that apart from Bhutan, Bangladesh is the only regional neighbour that currently has a positive relationship with India. India's inability to settle relations with neighbours comes in the way of its development and rise as a world power. Statesmanship and the ability to rise beyond petty vested interests is required on the part of all political forces in the country. Transit rights through Bangladesh - which were held back following Mamata's last minute objection to the Teesta deal - can provide a huge fillip to the economy of India's eastern and northeastern states and open up a gateway to Southeast Asia. Enhanced cooperation in sectors ranging from power and telecom to manufacturing and education can unleash the forces of growth in the region. Plus, a developed Bangladesh is the only long-term solution to the illegal migration issue.

While New Delhi has done well to provide the $1 billion line of credit to Dhaka for development projects, the LBA and Teesta deal have an emotive appeal in Bangladesh. With little more than a year left before the Awami League and its allies face fresh polls, it is imperative that these are pushed through so that the League's India-friendly policies are rewarded. The political class needs to come together on this. A strong, secular Bangladesh is not only in India's interest but can be a catalyst for transforming South Asia as a whole. If Indian policies on Afghanistan are largely consensual, why are those needed to settle relations with much friendlier Bangladesh so controversial?

A big leap - The Times of India

Mujarul Quayes, thge Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary has said - It is not in the interest of Bangladesh or in the interest of India to make a commitment and not deliver on it.

Indeed that is correct.

Why make a commitment and not deliver.

There is no doubt that the Indo Bangladesh is chaotic owing to enclaves, changing course of rivers and so on. This makes it immensely difficult to implement any constructive activity like checking illegal immigrants or smuggling.

It is time to get all parties on board and implement the accord or else it will reduce the credibility of the Indian Govt to be the master of its activities and keeper of its word.

If indeed Mamata Bannerjee or the BJP are not suitably disposed, then they should have been consulted and the difference ironed out through dialogue.

What is the use of making a commitment that one cannot deliver and instead appear to be totally impotent, as if India is in the grip of anarchy.

 

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This is a very fundamental point that you have raised. Whether or not the Government has taken it's allies and the principal opposition parties in confidence remains to be seen. If the answer is in negative then we may see more embarrassing situations ahead.