India–Bangladesh Relations: An Indian Perspective

The people of India and Bangladesh share close and multi-faceted socio-cultural, religious and linguistic ties spanning centuries. The two countries share the same values of secularism, pluralism and democracy, and the distinct honour of having their national anthem written by the same person—Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. Bangladesh Jatiyo Kabi Nazrul, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Lalon Fakir, etc., are revered on both sides of the border. Their influence transcends political boundaries and inspires people in both countries. Given their geographical proximity as neighbours, the two countries are bound by a common destiny. In a globally connected world, interdependency has become key. The enormous challenges they face also require close cooperation. Bangladesh remains India’s key partner in the region, and is crucial both for stability in the north-eastern region and as a bridge to South-East Asia. It is also a lynchpin of India’s ‘Look East’ policy.