BGB-BSF celebrate Holi along border

[toxic_pus]

Right we sign an agreement and wait 36-37 years, and then we sign another “no fixed term” agreement and wait how long for the next “no fixed term” agreement. So now you see why people in Bangladesh have no trust in india.

I hope you realise that BD is occupying more of India than India is of BD.

oh the "Tin Bigha Corridor" a strip of land 1500 square meters was not given, it was leased.

As far as I can remember, it is a perpetual lease.

 

[damiendehorn]

I hope you realise that BD is occupying more of India than India is of BD.


As far as I can remember, it is a perpetual lease.

It does not work like that, the land swap deal will mean a net transfer of 8,000-10,000 acres to Bangladesh, most of which are already within Bangladesh borders. It’s an issue of jurisdiction, sovereignty etc… once this is sorted tin bigha corridor will not be required.

 

[LaBong]

Na I'm half Dutch n half Bangladeshi, so yea we'll wait another 100 years if thats how long it takes, and the hatred and mistrust towards india and indian will continue.

We can't help it as long as people there want to be known as Indian, Republic of India is a nation because of her people, not vice versa.

 

[LaBong]

It does not work like that, the land swap deal will mean a net transfer of 8,000-10,000 acres to Bangladesh, most of which are already within Bangladesh borders. It’s an issue of jurisdiction, sovereignty etc… once this is sorted tin bigha corridor will not be required.

Same canard applies to big, bad India as well.

 

[Vinod2070]

Vinod please explain what LOSS we are makeing by being hostile?

Can't you think of that on your own?

Hostility with a bigger neighbor can never be good. Co-operation will help you focus on economic development and take advantage of the opportunities presented by a bigger marker provided by India as well as sourcing what you can get cheaper from India.

You can only gain from co-operation.

 

[Vinod2070]

Sorry Vinod, but if someone was occupying your land you’d be angry too. Try to see it from our point; we signed many agreements with regards land and water issues, which india has not lived up-to.

That is how you look at it. If you are talking of conclaves, it is a problem left by partition and I guess it is being resolved by the two governments.

It is not a big problem anyways.

“People's attitudes change when the country's policies change”, if that was the case please explain when we have such a pro-india government in power, view of india and Indians are getting worse?

Because you still have a very big anti India political section that thrives on it.

Your right, “India is too big” in the eyes of many Bangladeshi’s , and there is a preserved threat. But insensitive “big brother” attitude and arrogant comments from sections of Indian diplomatic corp. and politicians etc don’t help.

Some of it is perception but I agree we should do better on this front.

I am all for friendly relations with all our neighbors as long as it does not infringe on our sovereignty.

Agree.

 

[damiendehorn]

Can't you think of that on your own?

Hostility with a bigger neighbor can never be good. Co-operation will help you focus on economic development and take advantage of the opportunities presented by a bigger marker provided by India as well as sourcing what you can get cheaper from India.

You can only gain from co-operation.

Co-operation is fine but, only when it beneficial. The truth of doing business with India is they want open access to our markets but when we want the same, they impose barriers (list of restricted products, quotas etc). Its better for Bangladesh, to keep relation with india at arms length and play india and china of against each other.

The final word is from my experience the vast majority don't trust india.

 

[Vinod2070]

Co-operation is fine but, only when it beneficial. The truth of doing business with India is they want open access to our markets but when we want the same, they impose barriers (list of restricted products, quotas etc). Its better for Bangladesh, to keep relation with india at arms length and play india and china of against each other.

The final word is from my experience the vast majority don't trust india.

Agree. There are problems that India can help solve related to market access.

Regarding trust, well there is only so much we can do about it. There are several factors here beyond our control.

And yes, it makes sense for you to try and get the best deal. Its a fine balance and I hope you can do it well.

 

[damiendehorn]

Because you still have a very big anti India political section that thrives on it.

You’re assuming the politicians are the driving force in the anti-india feeling, but my experience is it’s much more than that. The current government is trying to portray positive news in Bangladesh/india relations but on the streets this is not coming through, people are getting more anti-indian, I have seen this for the past decade.

The older generation still have a positive outlook to india but the vast majority of the younger generation really don’t like india or Indians.

 

[Vinod2070]

You’re assuming the politicians are the driving force in the anti-india feeling, but my experience is it’s much more than that. The current government is trying to portray positive news in Bangladesh/india relations but on the streets this is not coming through, people are getting more anti-indian, I have seen this for the past decade.

The older generation still have a positive outlook to india but the vast majority of the younger generation really don’t like india or Indians.

Yes, I can see that to some extent. But I have seen pro India Bangladeshis as well. We don't really have a good data,just anecdotes and one can't really decide on them.

India needs to play her part and your leader theirs if the situation has to improve.

 

[damiendehorn]

Yes, I can see that to some extent. But I have seen pro India Bangladeshis as well. We don't really have a good data,just anecdotes and one can't really decide on them.

India needs to play her part and your leader theirs if the situation has to improve.

There is now a growing nationalistic feeling in the air (I remember seeing this in india during late 80s/90s).

I am not too optimistic in improved relations Vinod, the generation that remembers pre-71 are in their late seventies and don’t have long in power, those that will come to power in the next decade or so constantly see news of BSF killings, water sharing, etc.

There is confidence and drive in this generation that don’t look at india with any positive feelings at all.

 

[Vinod2070]

There is now a growing nationalistic feeling in the air (I remember seeing this in india during late 80s/90s).

I am not too optimistic in improved relations Vinod, the generation that remembers pre-71 are in their late seventies and don’t have long in power, those that will come to power in the next decade or so constantly see news of BSF killings, water sharing, etc.

There is confidence and drive in this generation that don’t look at india any positive feelings at all.

OK. Then this is just a phase that we have to go through.

Perhaps the leaders of both countries may try to limit the damage from this "nationalistic feeling". The phase will pass as well with time and people will realize what is good for them.

If hostility to India is good for them, all the best with that as well.

Frankly, India has moved on beyond her immediate neighborhood. We want good relations with you guys if possible, we think we both gain from it. We will be happy if you gain more from the co-operation than us.

But if good relations are not possible due to the hostilities, we will still move on and wait for you guys to realize what is good for you.

If it is a very long wait, so be it.

 

[damiendehorn]

You’re right “India has moved on beyond her immediate neighborhood”, and this is where india will drop the ball. The focus for india will in future be trying to become a super power, neglect its direct neighborhood or because it is so powerful assume it can dictate terms or interfere with the internal politics of its neighbors’ (people never learn from history).

This will fuel greater antagonism and push the neighbors’ towards China (you’re already seeing this in Nepal).

And this explains your question in post #299.

 

[Dalai Lama]

You’re right “India has moved on beyond her immediate neighborhood”, and this is where india will drop the ball. The focus for india will in future be trying to become a super power, neglect its direct neighborhood or because it is so powerful assume it can dictate terms or interfere with the internal politics of its neighbors’ (people never learn from history).

This will fuel greater antagonism and push the neighbors’ towards China (you’re already seeing this in Nepal).

Wrong! Our position is that we would like a good relationship with all our neighbours. And we will make our part of the effort to make that happen. If it's still not possible we move on and pursue other goals. Simple as. Our neighbours can choose to become satellite states of China if they please but they will all too soon realise that playing a proxy war will produce little result and they will end up having been used themselves. The sooner our neighbours come to this realisation the better it will be for stability in the region.


EDIT: To elaborate, we won't be "dropping the ball". We will simply not bend over backwards to the smaller neighbours who wish to threaten India with a proxy war (ie. China) in return for a "good relationship" (ie. What our neighbours want from us).

 

[Vinod2070]

You’re right “India has moved on beyond her immediate neighborhood”, and this is where india will drop the ball. The focus for india will in future be trying to become a super power, neglect its direct neighborhood or because it is so powerful assume it can dictate terms or interfere with the internal politics of its neighbors’ (people never learn from history).

No, we are no superpower. We will not be one for decades at least if ever.

And I think there is growing realization that we should have good relations in our neighborhood. The consensus is that we should go more than half way in mending the relations.

There are some core interests that can't be ignored. The territorial integrity of the country is one such interest.

I don't think anyone here thinks that we can dictate to any neighbor. There is also the realization that our policies have led to most neighbors trying to find favor with China. I think steps are being taken to correct it.

There is also the realization that we can't let it to effect our growth. That is something we owe our people and our country.

This will fuel greater antagonism and push the neighbors’ towards China (you’re already seeing this in Nepal).

I think the major reason for what is happening in Nepal is due to the Maoists ideology. The Maoists are a major force now and they will like to grow closer to China irrespective of what we do or don't do.

And this explains your question in post #299.

I see that you have moved on beyond 1971 and are looking at current issues. Because India is your only large neighbor and is a convenient scapegoat, the hostilities have been escalated beyond what is warranted by the real issues between countries.

Frankly smaller neighbors are generally prickly. Our's are more prickly than most.

We should take that into account and respect their sensibilities that we can without sacrificing our core interests.