India-Bangladesh relations: analyzing the recent developments

The Indo-Bangladesh bilateral relationship is rooted in common civilizational heritage. The bilateral relationship encompasses political, economic, cultural and strategic dimensions. Despite the proximity in their cultural tradition, such that popular verses of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam are revered by people on both sides of the border even today, a number of issues have clouded the Indo-Bangladesh relationship for years. However, the assumption of office by the new leadership in both India and Bangladesh has led the two Asian neighbors into a new phase of bonhomie. The present ties maybe defined as mature, pragmatic and practical. It is founded on the values of friendship, equality, sovereignty, trust and understanding. Consequently several issues which are a manifestation of sovereign reality, such as the disputed boundary between the two countries, have seen the light of settlement in the recent past. Skeptics suggest that India can remain apathetic to its relationship with its eastern neighbor and Bangladesh is too vulnerable to adopt such a stance. However, reality champions such oversimplification. With China making deep inroads into India's backyard, it is imperative for India to renew its strategic ties with Bangladesh. In this context, can the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Bangladesh, be viewed as a ‘game changer’?