To say that diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India soured ever since the fall of the previous Awami League government would be an understatement.
Despite our storied friendship and India’s undeniable role in Bangladesh’s independence, our closest neighbouring country has exhibited occasional hostility towards us, especially since the incumbent BJP has been in power, with party’s own members referring to Bangladeshis as “termites” and “infiltrators” at various points in the recent past.
A lot of the language coming from the Indian side has been violent and absolutely worthy of condemnation. However, there was renewed hope for the status quo to change following a 40-minute meeting between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok -- but India’s recent decision to close off a transshipment route to Bangladesh is now sending a decidedly different message.
According to reports, India’s Revenue Department issued a circular stating that the earlier circular (dated June 29, 2020) that granted transshipment facilities to Bangladesh was withdrawn this past Monday.
A lot of the language coming from the Indian side has been violent and absolutely worthy of condemnation. However, there was renewed hope for the status quo to change following a 40-minute meeting between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok -- but India’s recent decision to close off a transshipment route to Bangladesh is now sending a decidedly different message.
According to reports, India’s Revenue Department issued a circular stating that the earlier circular (dated June 29, 2020) that granted transshipment facilities to Bangladesh was withdrawn this past Monday.
This transshipment facility had allowed goods to be sent from Bangladesh to other nations. Although this route was rarely used in practice, it was considered symbolically important in terms of regional cooperation.
This is a political move through and through on the part of India, and completely undermines any gestures of goodwill and cooperation that both Bangladesh and India have expressed so far. The lack of any transitionary period which could help Bangladesh deal with the fallout is nothing if not a dead giveaway to that end.
Yes, as far as challenges go, this is not insurmountable for Bangladesh as experts have said that alternative arrangements can be considered to make up for this loss. But more than anything this looks like nothing if not further message from India that it only understands the language of non-cooperation, both implicit and explicit -- such language inevitably gets in the way of mutual benefit and good neighbourly relations.