• UGI USER
  • Jan 23, 2024
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INDIA-BANGLADESH TIES: A CLOSER LOOK

Why in the News ?

  • PM Sheikh Hasina’s fourth consecutive term victory reinforces the robust ties between India and Bangladesh.

 About India-Bangladesh Cooperation

  • Dating back to the 1971 Liberation War, India played a crucial role, and despite intermittent challenges, diplomatic relations have flourished since Hasina came to power in 1996.
  • Economic Cooperation:
  • Bilateral trade has steadily grown, making Bangladesh India’s largest trade partner in South Asia.
  • The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a milestone.
  • Infrastructure projects, including the Akhaura-Agartala rail link, signify India’s major development partnership with Bangladesh, enhancing connectivity and energy trade.

Points of Concern : 

  • Teesta water-sharing and the Rohingya issue remain points of tension.
  • Security challenges like cross-border terrorism, infiltration, and the rise of majoritarian forces add complexity to the bilateral landscape.
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

CEPA is a significant India-Bangladesh trade pact aiming to reduce customs duties and simplify trade norms, fostering broader economic opportunities and cooperation.

Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link

Source : Swarajya

This rail link connects Bangladesh and India, providing vital access to Chattogram and Mongla ports, boosting trade and industrial development.