Discuss the various measures that are required to remove long-standing issues between India and Bangladesh. (200 Words)
Refer - The Hindu
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 4 years
KEY POINTS
India’s political, diplomatic, military and humanitarian support during Bangladesh’s Liberation War played an important role towards Bangladesh’s independence.
Cooperation
· Bangladesh and India have achieved the rare feat of solving their border issues peacefully by ratifying the historic Land Boundary Agreement in 2015.
· India has offered duty free access to multiple Bangladeshi products.
· However, only 51% of the first $800 million line of credit has been utilised whilst barely any amount from the next two lines of credit worth $6.5 billion has been mobilised, due to red-tapism.
Connectivity
· A direct bus service between Kolkata and Agartala runs a route distance of 500 km, as compared to the 1,650 km if it ran through the Chicken’s Neck to remain within India.
· A 1.9 kilometre long bridge, the Maitri Setu, connecting Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.
· Bangladesh allows the shipment of goods from its Mongla and Chattogram (Chittagong) seaports carried by road, rail, and water ways.
For better relation
· As Bangladesh celebrates its 50 years of independence, India continues to be one of its most important neighbours and strategic partners.
· As the larger country, the onus is on India to be generous enough to let the water flow.
· Ensure that people are not killed on the border for cattle even if it is illegal when there are appropriate means for justice.
