Bangladeshi is a peace loving country having moderate Muslim majority. After coming to power in 2008, Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina did not spare any time to demolish all the terrorist bases, bordering Bangladesh and India. These bases were built after BNP & Jamaat formed coalition government in 2002. The plot was originally made by Pakistani military intelligence `ISI’.
Now that scenario is totally past. Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh became one of the most peaceful countries in the world. It has no issues with the neighbours even with Myanmar which has pushed more than 17 lakhs Rohingyas to Bangladesh, causing a huge problem for the country that is already heavily populated.
Especially with India Bangladesh enjoys a special bond. They are tested friends. It remembers with gratitude the Indians outstanding contribution during our Liberation War. They suffered extensive loss of lives and properties, but did not hesitate to cooperate with us to root out the occupied forces from our motherland. So, when India suffers, it becomes painful for us.
It is not untrue that Bangladesh felt uncomfortable on some issues with India. But all but one was resolved through negotiations. Though the federal government under Narendra Modi is determined to resolve the Teesta river water sharing issue, it could not happen because of the state government of West Bengal’s firm opposition.
In recent times there appeared another problem with India, that is also created by West Bengal government. India was exporting goods to Bangladesh, but the West Bengal Government was against the export through the Benapole Land port of Bangladesh. As a result the Bangladeshi importers stopped importing goods from India. It took only two days to resolve the issue.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Monday (6 July 2020), the import-export between India and Bangladesh has finally started through the agreement between the two sides.
He said, goods were coming from one side (India). Suddenly there was trouble in Petrapole and Benapole. The West Bengal government has not agreed to take any product from our country.
Initially, the problem was that West Bengal had ordered that if Indian trucks entered Bangladesh, those drivers would not be able to return. The drivers did not bring the product for this. Then it was decided to unload things from Indian trucks, get on Bangladeshi trucks, then come. It is very expensive. No more than 4-5 trucks of goods can be unloaded in a day. It was later dropped.
`Then it was decided that the goods would come by rail. There was a lot of discussion about that. Meanwhile, we are allowing Indian products to enter Benapole. We have no objection to this. They came to us with trucks. But the West Bengal government did not allow our trucks to enter. Then the agencies involved in our import and export stopped it. Finally, Import-export resumed from Sunday (July 5) afternoon’.
Relation between the two countries again turned to a sweet tune when Sheikh Hasina came to power for the second time. Since then both the countries are helping each other in many forms. In 2014, India and Bangladesh have ratified the Land Boundary Agreement and signed agreements on connectivity and implemented agreements to supply 1160 MW of power to Bangladesh at cheapest cost.
On the other hand, India has been granted the transit facilities by Bangladesh. As a result North Eastern states of India gained a lot. Now, goods are easily transported there from other parts of India.
Recently, Bangladesh supported India in getting the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent membership for 2021-22. Last Wednesday (8th July 2020) Indian foreign minister Dr. S Jaishankar in a letter to Bangladesh foreign minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen has expressed their gratitude as Bangladesh stood like a rock in supporting them.
Thanking Bangladesh for its warm wishes on India’s election as a non-permanent member to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), he said, “We deeply value your support extended towards India’s success at this election and look forward to a meaningful and a productive tenure at the UNSC”.
By this time India and China has settled their border dispute. That created an uncomfortable situation for Bangladesh.
According to media reports, China has begun pulling back troops from along its contested border with India, following the worst clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in nearly 50 years, which left 20 Indian soldiers dead.
The Chinese military was seen dismantling tents and structures on Monday (6 July) at a location in the Galwan Valley near the site of the latest clash. Vehicles were seen withdrawing from the area, as well as at Hot Springs and Gogra - two other contested border z
