Gabbar
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The discussion seems very interesting, with some patronizing attitude from the Indians as usual. I understand India has a grand plan to be a major world player, and they are more concerned with China rather than Pakistan and much less Bangladesh. But how can India dominate the region without winning the trust of its neighbours?
Indeed, good relations with your neigbours is a must.
I understand India has longstanding issues with Pakistan, and as Bangladesh, as part of Pakistan, chose not to be with India in 1948, naturally Bangladesh inherited some of these issues despite parting path with Pakistan in 1971. But what are the existing issues that come between India and Bangladesh??
1. Water sharing issues
2. Boundry dispute, was not very well defined during partition
3. Illegal immigration.
4. Smuglers and terrorits crossing borders.
1. India, despite its claim to be a secular state, is dominated by Hindus. And the Hindus who usually hold power have a deep hatred towards their muslim brothers ( be it Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi).
A major indicator of this mentality is the victory of BJP (A hardline Hindu Party, similar to their muslim counterpart Jamaat e Islami of Bangladesh and Pakistan). Imagine Bangladesh being ruled by Jamaatis, that is an unbelievable scenerio, yet a billion Indians did just that with their hardline Hindu party. Indian army also sidelines any muslims from joining the military, making the army very one dimensional in their vision, hence they treat Bangladesh and Pakistan on the same angle even though the difference is vast.
Afcorse Hindus will dominate most part of life due to thier population size.
You do realize that these HINDUS were the main reason BJP was defeated. Moderate and educated Hindus do not want this extremist type of Hinduism preached by BJP and it's allies. Sikhs make up 8% of the army. Army does not recruite on the bases that just because he is a muslim so he cant join it. Muslims are not too keep to join the army. Why?, do know why but they just dont. Sikhs and Gurkhas show up in large numbers.
2. Like Pakistan, Bangladesh was geographically sidelined by Lord Mountbatten when he chalked up the map of the subcontinent, giving strategically important regions to India, but in case of Bangladesh it is more seviere. Unlike Pakistan, Bangladesh is almost entirely surrounded by India. Although there is no major territory claim by Bangladesh, the claustrophobia of Bangladesh is used by the Indians well when there's a need for bilateral trade and watersharing agreements.
Can you elaborate more?
3. Indian heavy-handedness in patrolling the Bangladesh India Border region. Every week one or two Bangladeshis are shot down by Indian border patrols. The Padua incident where 22 Indian solders were killed by Bangladeshi is just an example that if Bangladesh wants they can be equally brutal, but we choose not to because we love peace. And the fencing of the border is just shameful, in a world where nations are benefiting from mutual trust, India is bringing technology from Israel to fence its border like Israel did in Gaza and West Bank. It can be a very ominous indication to Bangladesh that India might one day try to dominate Bangladesh fully like what Israel is doing with the Palestanians.
There have been cases where some BSF personels have trigger happy. There have been cases where smuglers and terrorist have tried crossing borders and are serious threat to national security. We have the right to protect our selves. Do even compare your selves to Plestinians, you have your own country, economy, military and voice UN. Where poor and brave palestinians dont.
4. Dominance of trade, as India flood substandard cheap products in Bangladeshi market, they vigourously resist Bangladeshi products going in to India, creating imbalance in trade. Ineffective SAARC (a Bangladeshi initiative) is a glaring proof of Indias lack of interest in working with its neighbours. While Europeans benefit from strong regional cooperation, India is hellbent in dominating the region at the expense of its neighbours.
Some proofs would be nice. Yes there is huge trade imbalnace but it is hardly a conspericy theory. Its just that India can mass produce many products and cheaper too. But do you know that China is the largert exporter to Bangladesh.
What about thier trade imbalance? Do they have conspericy theory too? Never heard anything about BD members complaining about that?
5. Indian arms race with China, which increases the sense of insecurity is clearly evident, as Pakistan has no other option but to bolster her defenses. Indian "defense" is more geared towards attack with nuclear submarines and long range missiles. Also India claims a major chunk of the mineral rich bay of bengal which rightfully belongs to Bangladesh, and Bangladesh's future depends on those minerals.
Well you can claim it is yours and I can it is mine but there is only one way to do it, talking. Dont forget Burma have also same issues with you so how you can claim that it is only India that you having problems on this issue?
6. Bangladesh is an agri based economy, and most of its rivers come through Indian territory. India blockaded one source of water with Farrakah barrage, making Bangladeshi north west near barren. Now they are doing the same in Tipaimukh project, which will have similar effect in Bangladeshi North East. These unilateral moves have been repeatedly protested by Bangladesh, but fell to deaf ears of Indian politicians.
It is very nice of you to add deaf ear part but discussions are still going on.
India, Bangladesh discuss dam on Barak river
I am sure these points are making the Indians in this forum real proud, which I guess speaks volume of the Indian attitude in general. For these above mentioned reasons Bangladesh needs to have a strong military in order to prevent India from continuously exploiting Bangladesh. Indians will say again and again, that Bangladesh should focus on development rather than military expenditure. Well Sirs, with all due respect you Indians have been the major hindrance to our development so far.
No, your points are not making us proud by any mean. You go around the world and see lots of neigbour countries are having similar issues such as water sharing, boundry issues, and trade isssues. It is hardly and Indian created problem. Do you know ther have been not been a single war between BD and India in its modern history? India and its industry is inversting havily in BD. Your aggresion theory doesn't quite add up. If BD wants to have strong army, they have all the rights to do so, but can you really afford it? Pakistan it self can afford a arms race with India, how would you support it?