FROM SHARED HISTORIES TO STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: EVOLVING DYNAMICS OF INDIA- BANGLADESH RELATIONS

Ishfaq Ahmad; Abdul Hamid Kumar; Samim Ahmad Khan

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i3.2024.2704

Authors

Ishfaq Ahmad Research Scholar at Dept. of Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190006.
Abdul Hamid Kumar Senior Research Fellow, Dept. of Political Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190006.
Samim Ahmad Khan Senior Research Fellow, Dept of Political Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar- 190006

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i3.2024.2704

Keywords:

Soft Power, Diplomacy, Bilateral Relations, Non-Reciprocity, Regional Geopolitics

Abstract [English]

This study tries to fill the gap in the existing literature by looking into the historical background of India-Bangladesh relations. It examines the political, social and economic cooperation between the two nations in contemporary times. The examination is based on major fields of collaboration resulting from which relations have strengthened in recent years, such as trade, energy, defense, and regional connectivity. However, there still persist some longstanding problems between the two countries, such as the issue of fair division of the river waters, problems arising from migration, the Rohingya issue and last but not least Islamic fundamentalism. Further, the increasing dependence on Chinese loans and products complicates relations in power structure in Bangladesh region. This article reveals out that, overcoming these challenges and fostering cooperation will be essential for the further development of bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh. It also proves that the equitable approach towards regional geopolitics based on trust and practical cooperation is instrumental for the future progress and development.

References

Ali, A. (2018). Bangladesh: Balancing Act in South Asia’s Security Landscape. Journal of South Asian Studies, 35(4), 203-217.

Bhardwaj, P. (2015). Geopolitical Importance of India’s Northeastern Region and the Bangladesh Factor. Indian Journal of Geopolitics, 12(1), 45-63.

Bhaumik, S. (2009). Troubled Periphery: Crisis of India's Northeast. New Delhi: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9788132104797

Chakma, B. (2012). India-Bangladesh Relations: A Geopolitical Perspective. Asian Journal of Political Science, 20(3), 201-214.

Chakraborty, A. (2005). Geopolitical shifts and India-Bangladesh relations. South Asia Journal of International Relations, 11(2), 35-41.

Chakraborty, A. (2019). Geopolitical influence of India-Bangladesh cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Journal of South Asian Studies, 16(3), 157-180.

Chakraborty, P. (2023). India-Bangladesh Relations: Economic Integration and Regional Cooperation. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Chaudhury, D., Basu, S., & Banerjee, P. (2016). Modi’s Neighborhood First Policy and Bangladesh’s Strategic Position. South Asia Journal of International Relations, 29(3), 345-362.

Chaudhury, S. (2020). Re-Connecting Neighbours: Connectivity and its Role in India-Bangladesh Relations. Journal of South Asian Studies, 38(2), 123-134.

Choudhury, D. (2019). Economic partnerships and regional security in South Asia. South Asia Journal of International Relations, 11(2), 89-108.

Choudhury, D. (2020). The India-Bangladesh economic nexus and RCEP concerns. Journal of South Asian Studies, 14(3), 215-241.

Chowdhury, A. (2013). Asymmetry in Indo-Bangladesh Relations: Challenges and Opportunities. South Asian Journal of Policy and Governance, 23(1), 45-62.

Hussain, R., & Sattar, M. (2023). Bilateral partnerships in South Asia: The case of India and Bangladesh. Asian Journal of Geopolitics, 21(1), 67-89.

Kashem, M. A., & Islam, M. M. (2016). Narendra Modi's Bangladesh Policy and India-Bangladesh Relations: Challenges and Possible Policy Responses. Journal of South Asian Studies, 34(4), 289-306.

Kumar, R. (2020). India-Bangladesh Relations: Some Issues Need Deft Handling. International Journal of South Asian Studies, 15(2), 90-104.

Majumdar, S. (2014). Making Sense of India-Bangladesh Relations: A Geopolitical Approach. Journal of Geopolitics, 30(2), 158-172.

Ministry of External Affairs [MEA]. (2023). India-Bangladesh relations in the Indo-Pacific context. Retrieved from https://mea.gov.in.

Mohan, C. R. (2012). Samudra Manthan: Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific. New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wpjb4

Rahman, S. (2010). The evolution of India-Bangladesh relations: Security and cooperation. Asian Journal of Political Science, 22(2), 112-189.

Rahman, S. (2020). Defining security partnerships: India-Bangladesh and Indo-Pacific stability. Asian Journal of Political Science, 22(2), 112-201.

Rahman, S. (2021). Strategic alliances in South Asia: India-Bangladesh cooperation within the Indo-Pacific strategy. International Affairs Journal, 29(4), 234-256.

Rajagopalan, R. P. (2019). Space Policy in India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Ranjan, M. (n.d.). India-Bangladesh Border Disputes: History and Post-LBA Dynamics. In South Asian Geopolitical Complications.

Saha, P. (2023). Infrastructure and energy cooperation in South Asia: India’s role in Bangladesh’s development. International Journal of South Asian Studies, 17(4), 53-72.

Saran, S. (2017). How India Sees the World. New Delhi: India Research Press.

Varshney, A. (2002). Ethnic Conflict and Civic Life: Hindus and Muslims in India. New Haven: Yale University Press.

World Bank. (2021). South Asia Regional Connectivity: Trade and Investment in the BBIN Sub-region. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.

World Bank. (2022). South Asia economic integration and trade growth: India and Bangladesh.

World Bank. (2023). Economic integration and trade dynamics: India and Bangladesh.