Dhaka University’s International Relations Department, in collaboration with India- Bangladesh Foundation, arranged the first meeting of former high commissioners of India and Bangladesh for two days, which concluded on November 15, 2014. A nine-point recommendation was presented to improve the bilateral relationship between the two bordering countries.
They called for political goodwill from both sides to remove mistrust and resolve pending issues hindering Dhaka-Delhi ties and to widen the economic engagement. They asked for strengthening cooperation at sub-regional and regional levels with focus on Saarc and Bimstec. To enhance mutual trust, they agreed upon the importance of contact between academics, media, corporate sectors, and other stake holders.
Prof Imtiaz Ahmed announced the statement on behalf of the high commissioners at a press conference held at Dhaka University (DU) Senate Building. Going by the statement, concerned citizens wonder how far it could be executed at the people’s level.
But we expect a positive outcome for the simple reason that retired high commissioners are now free senior citizens no longer bound by diplomatic service rules, and people have high regard for them for their experience, which their government cannot ignore.
More so, the Indian foreign service is well organised and its high commissioners are kept in high esteem. Though the same cannot be said about Bangladesh, it is hoped they would rise above politics to make the meeting truly meaningful.
In Dhaka, Veena Sikri, who effectively developed ties between two countries without any bias, pointed out that India’s foreign relationships depend on national consensus, and said: “We don’t implement what we agree upon … that affects our bilateral relationships.” Her concern was eloquently expressed, as she said Bangladeshi channels were not broadcast in India. It is due to problems at the operators’ level, which may be tackled by the Bangladesh Information Ministry.
On the other hand, Indian channels, Hindi and Bangla, are open, which are viewed by many in Bangladesh. It takes us to the question of whether the Bangladeshi programs are less attractive. For example, talk shows are irritating partisan bouts, except a few non-political ones, for no benefit to the viewers but for seeking publicity from the studio. Our cultural minister, Asaduzzaman Noor, himself a star of this domain, can compare different programs of both sides to do what is necessary.
Some specific issues which ought to have been raised by Bangladesh have not been put up. A section of analysts expected that the Bangladeshi side would put up public perceptions on relevant issues to remove suspicion. Before the January 5 elections, the Congress-led Indian government sent the Indian foreign secretary to Dhaka in December 2013, who met HM Ershad to keep him in the election fray, to which he obliged but deemed as interference by India.
It showed their bilateral relations are more on a party-to-party basis instead of country-to-country, which would be the logical and rational way. With a historic change of government and the visit of BJP External Affairs Minister Shushma Swaraj to Dhaka, that chapter has been closed.
Secondly, guardians and students do not understand why DU arranged the meeting at its venue when campus crises continue unabated, session jams shorten active life, and they had no audience with the ex-envoys which might have inspired them. Was it to show a neutral place, which it is not because of the teacher-student partisan politics that have been going on there since 1973? Foreign envoys might have come across news of campus violence in the national dailies during their stay in Dhaka.
The diplomats highlighted the urgency for integration of regional economy. If Saarc does not work, there is the need for sub-regional connectivity. Now we will have to concretise this recommendation. History and geography dictate it should be in the agenda to revive the natural connectivity in this sub-region comprising Bangladesh, Indian state of West Bengal, and the seven sister states facilitating free flow of goods and services and movement of persons visa free.
This natural unity was hindered by the British partition through artificial 4,200km porous borders in 1947. Other powers or vested stakeholders may not like this. The main strength is that Bengali speaking people, and others who have lived in this region for centuries, wish it for their economic development and peace.