Anand Kumar replies: There may not be one or single document providing authentic information regarding so many enclaves. But a 520-page historical study of the enclaves has been done by Brendan R. Whyte at the University of Melbourne in 2002. This study has large number of documents which throw light on the issue.
India and Bangladesh need to work together in the field of health and medical research to devise expedient measures to contain the menace of arsenic poisoning of ground water.
P.K. Gautam replies: These are ad hoc and post event figments of imagination. It was clearly not a lack of foresight. Too many aims and wish lists would have diluted India’s strategic objectives. The political leadership of Bangladesh was also not fully formed, and it would have been a poor judgement, rather complete lack of foresight, to have asked for such favours.
A country cannot behave like a proverbial camel that enters a tent pushing the owner out. Good diplomacy has to have a stop and an exit. I also find some now desiring and saying that India should have kept areas of Chittagong for better connectivity to the north eastern region. There is no end to these theoretical counterfactuals, and I think India did just the right thing. Transit passage etc., is an issue of continued diplomacy as part of foreign policy which is now slowly emerging.
The goodwill built up during Khaleda Zia’s recent India visit needs to be capitalised upon judiciously, by keeping a manifestly even-handed stance on the internal politics of Bangladesh.
Indian leaders may have to convincingly convey to Begum Zia and her BNP party delegation their commitment towards the economic development of Bangladesh, continuation of Indian aid, and intent to address the balance of trade issue irrespective of the party in power there.
That cooperation between neighbours can pave the way for resolving issues relating to the management of shared borders is amply demonstrated by the outcomes of various bilateral interactions that took place between India and Bangladesh in recent months.
The relations between Bangladesh and India are important and have a strong historic basis. The prospects for these relations to grow in strength are indeed enormous if they are pursued for mutual benefit and with mutual respect. Our geographical proximity, cultural affinity and shared history should form the parameters of our relations.
Ershad’s recent visit to India seems to have whetted his political ambition. In the last election he was hoping for the post of president, a ceremonial position in Bangladeshi political set-up; now he has stated openly that he wants to be prime minister after the next elections.
Smruti S. Pattanaik replies: India's decision to provide grant and loan is going to benefit both India and Bangladesh. These grants and loans are for building roads and other communication networks that would facilitate transit to the north-eastern parts of India. Transit through Bangladesh has been a long standing request from India.
Under Awami League regime, action against anti-India activities has been taken. Some insurgent leaders have been arrested and handed over to India. Both the countries are working out mechanisms to address the issue of illegal migration as it includes illegal trafficking of women and children. Illegal migration affects India’s security and economic and social stability. In the absence of any mechanism to address this, the two governments agreed for joint border patrol which started last year in July. Apart from this, the BSF needs to be more vigilant to prevent unauthorised migration.
This book brings out perspectives from India and Bangladesh on various important issues of bilateral cooperation. Bringing together scholars from two premier think tanks in India and Bangladesh who play an important role in providing policy inputs, generating informed debates and discussion and act as an interface between policy makers and the people, this is the first effort of its kind.
Cooperation Between India and Bangladesh on Control of Arsenic Poisoning
India and Bangladesh need to work together in the field of health and medical research to devise expedient measures to contain the menace of arsenic poisoning of ground water.