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RAW analysis - India And Bangladesh Must Come Together

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By Bhaskar Roy

No foreign relations in Bangladesh raises such a political storm as relations with India do. This is not new. Bangladesh became independent in 1971. The people of Bangladesh paid with their blood to achieve this goal and correct an incongruous relationship with West Pakistan or Pakistan as it is now.

The division of the subcontinent in 1947 which created the two wings of Pakistan, West Pakistan and East Pakistan was never a case for common bonding. Problems started in 1948 with the East Pakistanis resenting cultural and economic domination from the western wing. The anti-West Pakistan movement was ignited by the 1952 language movement in Dhaka, opposing imposition of Urdu as the main language.

India played a significant role in Bangladesh’s liberation war, having been dragged in by the Pakistani army and their Bangladeshi collaborators launching a genocidal mayhem on the country. Around three thousand Indian soldiers lost their lives, India bore the burden of hosting around 10 million Bangladeshi refugees, and accorded substantial assistance to the fledging nation. Then things began to go wrong.

Certainly, the credit for independence must go to the Bangladeshis. Their sacrifice is incomparable. But a question remains on the outcome of this war if Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had not intervened. With Pakistan’s air attack on India, it became an India-Pakistan war. Some core freedom fighter organisations in Bangladesh have been demanding for years national recognition of Lt. Gen. J.S. Aurora, GOC of Indian forces in Bangladesh (who accepted the Pakistani surrender), Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, and Mrs. Indira Gandhi. But India has desisted from involving itself in such projects for good reasons.

Although Prime Minister Indira Gandhi withdrew Indian forces from Bangladesh in the shortest possible time despite dismay from some Bangladeshi leaders, it was a wise decision.

The Pakistani army surrendered to Lt. Gen. Aurora in Dhaka on December 16, 1971. It was an euphoric occasion. But according to Indian army officers on duty in Bangladesh, within the first few months of 1972 they became targets of children and lumpens on Dhaka streets shouting “Indian dogs, go back!’. The significance of this development cannot be under estimated. It demonstrated that a section with strong anti-India and pro-Pakistan feelings had taken deep roots in the country, despite the move by the new government to try collaborators and war criminals. There should be some explanation as to how these elements were allowed to function so freely.

The assassination of Bangabandhu Sk. Mujibur Rahman and family and relatives by a group of army officers on August 15, 1975 turned India-Bangladesh relations upside down. Important questions hang over the real intentions of freedom fighters like Maj.Zia-ur-Rehman, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) M.A. Matin and some others. Zia worked through the turmoil of the post-Mujibur years to become the Army Chief, President and founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is now headed by his widow, Begum Khaleda Zia. He ensured that the Mujib killers got diplomatic assignments abroad. He legalised the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI), the pro-Pakistan collaborators.

Zia brought India-Bangladesh relation to a low point till his assassination in 1981. The BNP-JEI government from 2001-2006, under Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, surpassed even that. Evidence supports the assessment the BNP-JEI government did everything possible, even at the cost of the country’s development, to obstruct India. This visceral antipathy is rare between close neighbours, but this was done according to a plan.

The Awami League (AL) and the grand coalition led by Sk. Hasina swept to power at the December 28, 2008 elections on two grounds. The BNP-JEI had reduced the country to a Mafia-like fiefdom. And the army kept itself out from rigging the electoral process. A third reason, perhaps, was the focus of the international community on the elections.

In the last three months, Prime Minister Sk. Hasina’s India visit has engaged Bangladesh’s politics. The BNP-JEI with their alliances are determined to show that the AL and Sk. Hasina are selling the country’s sovereignty to India. To them, Bangladesh’s development is of no concern. The only objective is to spite India and join Pakistan as a loose federation.

Sk. Hasina is looking at a much larger picture of a stable Bangladesh which has to confront fast growing challenges of economic development, climate change, and an economic and trade network with South East Asia for which the Asian Highway sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a must.

Leaderships of countries in today’s globalised world seek to maximise their country’s development with co-operation with others, not a zero-sum game. But the BNP-JEI scuttled the Myanmar-Bangladesh-India gas pipeline, cutting its own licensed earnings, to prevent India from getting the Myanmar gas. They stymied the Asian Highway project which could bring Bangladesh substantial transit trade benefit, just to counter India. The combine also blocked all India related Bangladesh cooperation which could advance mainland India’s connectivity with its North-East region to ensure short transit linkages did not develop, despite the fact that Bangladesh would earn transit fees. These are a few examples which cost Bangladesh more than India.

It is generally perceived that the Awami League and its grand coalition comprising secular, democratic and progressive political parties are India’s natural allies. These are the pro-liberation minded groups who see in India support, development and stability.

On the other hand, the BNP-JEI combine have demonstrated that they are natural opponents of India. The JEI and its students wing Islamic Chatro Shibir (ICS) were the Pakistan occupation army’s collaborators. This has been officially recorded. The BNP, which was formed in 1978, comprised of old Jamaat cadres and leaders, some stray anti-India elements, cold war allies of the USA and pro-China elements.

The following comparison between the JEI and BNP is interesting. Just before surrendering to the Indian forces in 1971, the Pakistan army and their collaborators, differently named groups as Al Shams, Razakars and Al Badrs tried to physically eliminate all pro-independence leaders and intellectuals in virtual pogroms. They wanted to leave the country as leaderless as possible.

In 1975, the group of army officers who assassinated Sk. Mujibur Rahman and his family and relations, also mowed down top leaders of the Awami League who had been put in jail. The aim was to eliminate the party’s leadership. President Zia-ur-Rehman protected these killers.

This is indicative of a serious divide over India in Bangladesh. Although the BNP and the JEI were swept out of power at the last general elections, they have their own committed supporters and constituencies, which is not insignificant.

Old ghosts have returned to haunt the JEI and the BNP. In the Sk. Mujibur Rahman case 12 ex-army officers have been condemned to death. Five of them are in custody while the rest are absconding abroad.

The 1971 war criminal trials are going to commence in February or March. Among the important listed offenders are top JEI leaders and at least one BNP leader. The names of about a dozen Pakistani leaders also figure in this list, but it is unlikely the government will press for their appearance.

Investigations into the attempt on Sk. Hasina’s life on August 21, 2004 is nearing conclusion. A senior Awami League leader was among the 24 killed. Evidence suggest several BNP leaders including at least one Minister handled this conspiracy, employing the terrorist organization, HUJI.

Another case under investigation is April, 2004 illegal arms confiscation case in the port city of Chittagong. Eight truck loads of arms brought from a Chinese port, were landed at the Chittagong port, for transfer to the ULFA in
Assam. Involved in this operation is a line up of intelligence heads of Bangladesh and Pakistan, a Pakistani media company ARY based in Dubai, around ten former Ministers and political leaders , and the trail is leading to the then Prime Minister Khaleda’s door. There are other serious cases, too.

During the BNP-JEI government, Indian insurgent groups like the ULFA, NSCN (I/M), the Manipuris and Bodos were given full support apart from the assistance from Laskhar-e-Toiba (LET), HUJI and, finally Dawood Ibrahim. In brief, the BNP-JEI led four-party alliance (2001-2006) converted Bangladesh into a frontline terrorist base against India.

The record of JEI and the BNP from 1971 was one of anti-nationalism. By the time the verdict is announced on these cases they would earn national and international opprobrium.

These two parties, pushed to a corner, are looking for opportunities to open new questions against the Awami League, to create a volatile political situation in the country. The focal point is Prime Minster Sk. Hasina’s forthcoming visit to India. All potential India-Bangladesh agreements are targeted as anti-Bangladesh and a sell out of Bangladesh’s sovereignty to India. This is aimed to raise questions on India’s intention and credibility among the people of Bangladesh. There is a lot of sensitivity on both sides of this bilateral relations. The negativity is there and apprehensions about a big neighbour are not difficult to exploit.

The BNP and JEI mouthpiece have already started misinformation about Sk. Hasina’s visit, and Indian intelligence agencies sabotaging Bangladesh’s sovereignty. Simultaneously, seminars are being held, marches are being organized, appeals are being made abroad, against possible India-Bangladesh agreements on the cards. Although Bangladesh is power starved, a possible power purchase agreement is being dubbed as an Indian trap where India can cut off supply at will.

It is now India’s call on how to handle Sk. Hasina’s visit. She has delivered on her promise to tackle terrorism. While the process is still ongoing, Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism which had taken deep roots will take much more to defeat, if at all.

It will be wise to put aside contentious issues for further discussions, while going ahead with those which are workable. Trade and transit surface connectivity between Bangladesh, and Nepal and Bhutan through India is doable. So is Bangladesh’s power purchase from Nepal and Bhutan. Better tariff and access to Bangladeshi products must also be considered positively.

The issue of adversely possessed enclaves, especially Dahagram and Angarporta must be resolved. As a much larger country and economy, India must accord Bangladeshi exports special terms. And the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) should be much less trigger happy on petty Bangladeshi smugglers.

India’s large heartedness will take the wind out of the sails of the Bangladeshi opponents. This will create space for strong arguments for the Bangladeshi government to push through other bilateral agreements. The entire gamut of issues cannot be resolved with one issue.

How confident are Sk. Hasina and her team to execute their Indian policy without constantly looking over their shoulders. The latest developments in Bangladesh suggest there is significant bureaucratic opposition to fast paced Bangladesh-India good will. Most of these officers are either JEI or BNP acolytes or beneficiaries. It is well known that Prime Minister Hasina’s life is under constant threat. She is the living symbol of Liberation, being Sk. Mujibur Rahman’s eldest daughter. Unless she holds firm she will lose ground.

Sk. Hasina must return from India with at least one bag full. The rest can then follow. But the journey will be arduous.

India And Bangladesh Must Come Together
 
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Improve military ties with Dhaka

Anti-India mindset is changing

by G Parthasarathy


New Delhi will be welcoming Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as its first State guest of this decade. Overcoming formidable hurdles, Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League swept the December 2008 polls, winning 230 seats and securing a two-thirds parliamentary majority. Ever since she was sworn in, Sheikh Hasina has not only faced challenges from right-wing parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of Khaleda Zia, but also the Pakistani-Saudi assisted fundamentalists of the Jamat- e -Islami (JeI), which unashamedly backed the occupying Pakistan Army during the 1971 freedom struggle. This grouping was reinforced by radical Islamic groups like the Jamat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB) and the Harkat-ul-Jihad-ul-Islami, which also enjoy Pakistani/Saudi backing. All these groups are united in undermining the efforts to improve relations with India.

The greatest challenge that Sheikh Hasina overcame in her first year was the mutiny by the Bangladesh Rifles, which erupted on February 25, 2008, at its headquarters in Pikhana and soon spread across the country, to 12 other locations. The mutineers killed their chief, Major-General Shakil Ahmed, and his wife and dozens of others. Sheikh Hasina acted deftly in getting a large number of the mutineers to surrender and then permitted the army to crackdown using tanks and heavy weapons. While the mutineers had some genuine grievances, it soon became apparent that outsiders from the BNP and JeI were actively involved in fomenting the unrest.

Complementing the crackdown by Sheikh Hasina’s government on the mutineers was immediate and effective action by India, which sealed its borders with Bangladesh and forced back mutineers, attempting to cross over. The depth of anger felt at senior levels of the Bangladesh Army was reflected when the new Director-General of the BDR, Major-General Moinul Islam, referred to the mutiny as the “most heinous crime”. He added that what transpired reminded him of “the liberation war of 1971”.

Referring clearly to Pakistan and its friends in the BNP and the JeI, Major-General Islam noted that “external enemies still exist” for Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina has reciprocated India’s assistance, by acting to force the surrender of ULFA leader Arabindo Rajkhowa, its deputy military commander Raju Barua and others operating from safe havens in Bangladesh. It has been made clear to North-Eastern separatist groups that they could not consider Bangladesh a safe haven. She has also cracked down on the JMB and the Lashkar-e-Toiba and acted to pre-empt cross-border attacks on India and on the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Sheikh Hasina is now facing domestic criticism spearheaded by the BNP and the JeI for allegedly having sold out to India.

She was earlier the target of assassination attempts by pro-BNP/JeI Islamists during her years in the opposition. She will have to show that relations with India are producing tangible benefits to Bangladesh and that long-pending differences are moving towards resolution. Under the 1974 Indira-Mujib agreement, India is required to return around 111 enclaves to Bangladesh and in return get 51 enclaves from Bangladesh. It took us 18 years to lease a small corridor of land near Tin Bigha to Bangladesh, which we were required to do, under the 1974 agreement. Barely 6.5 kilometres out of the 4096 kilometre land border remains undemarcated.

Measures need to be agreed upon that the border is expeditiously demarcated. Moreover, a political consensus needs to be built in West Bengal, to resolve the remaining pending issues of “adverse possessions” and enclaves, which have bedevilled relations through the past four decades. If New Delhi could get the assistance of then West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu in the 1990s, to resolve the vexed Farakka issue, there is no reason why we cannot take a similar initiative soon to deal with the boundary issue.

There was substantial progress achieved in moving forward on a number of issues when Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Muni visited India in September 2008. The most crucial issue for India is “connectivity,” which would involve developing road, rail and river communication facilities in Bangladesh, for promoting access to our north-eastern states. India should express its readiness to invest in the development of Chittagong and Mongia ports in Bangladesh and agree to provide access for goods from Nepal and Bhutan to these ports. This could be coupled with approaches to Bhutan for a joint study of projects to augment river water flows. India would also be well advised to provide assistance soon for the Akhaura-Agartala rail link and undertake action to meet Bangladesh’s immediate energy requirements, by sale of 300 MW of electrical power. Indian investment in the development of road, rail and port infrastructure in Bangladesh should be seen in Dhaka to be mutually beneficial.

While Bangladesh has agreed to provide access to Ashuganj Port for the Palatana Power Project in Tripura, there should be a conscious effort to counter propaganda by the BNP against the construction of the Tipaimukh Dam across the Barak river in Assam. Contrary to malicious propaganda by Khaleda Zia and her cohorts, even experts in Bangladesh agree that this project will actually help in flood control, in augmenting lean season flows and assist in de-silting within Bangladesh. The BNP propaganda is motivated, considering the fact that experts in Khaleda Zia’s government, who were kept informed about the project in 2003 and 2005, raised no objections when the BNP was in office. Another emotive issue in Bangladesh is sharing of waters of Teesta river.

Bangladesh has shown a measure of realism by agreeing to “Joint Hydrological Observations” so that future actions are taken on the basis of realities and not unfounded fears. We should be able to agree to mechanisms to address mutual concerns on this issue, as we did in resolving the Farakka tangle.

Sections of the Bangladesh Army and its intelligence apparatus have been traditionally anti-Indian and supportive of the BNP and the JeI. There appears to have been some change in this mindset in the aftermath of the BDR mutiny. New Delhi would be well advised to strengthen military ties with Bangladesh and encourage a greater participation of the Bangladesh military in international peace keeping, which will encourage them to avoid Bonapartist ambitions.

Past experience shows that the political mood in Bangladesh can be volatile and one could well see a return to the BNP order if Sheikh Hasina falters and cannot fulfil the people’s growing aspirations. India should demonstrate that while it will assist in the progress and welfare of the people of Bangladesh, rulers in that country who show sensitivity for Indian concerns can and will receive Indian goodwill in return.

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Opinions
 
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Nothing but another crappie bharai artical to bash greatest Bangladeshi leader general Zia, BNP and Jamat-e-islami. Only reason Bharati hate Zia is because he freed Bangladesh from bharat dominance unlike low life mujib who tried to made us bharais subservient. .

It doesn't matter what bharati think about zia, BNP and Jamat because Real Bangladeshi Muslims always support them. Bharat can do what ever it wants but Bangladeshi would never like them for it arrogance behavior.
 
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The issue of India causing a deep divide in Bangladeshi politics is apparent even on this forum.

India should do as much as it can to win the hearts of our Bangladeshi friends. We should leave no stone unturned to please their PM. If you give respect you get respect.

Absolutely. We must show how important Bangladesh is to us.
 
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Nothing but another crappie bharai artical to bash greatest Bangladeshi leader general Zia, BNP and Jamat-e-islami. Only reason Bharati hate Zia is because he freed Bangladesh from bharat dominance unlike low life mujib who tried to made us bharais subservient. .

It doesn't matter what bharati think about zia, BNP and Jamat because Real Bangladeshi Muslims always support them. Bharat can do what ever it wants but Bangladeshi would never like them for it arrogance behavior.

Here comes another India basher.....offtopic rant. Could not hide frustation or jealousy. :D

@topic:
It is very nice to know that Indo-BD ties are improving. We should do as much as possible to develop strong relationship of mutual interests. SA is already lagging behind, there is no time for narrow mindedness. We should benefit from other experiences.

Way to go. :cheers:
 
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Here comes another India basher.....oftopic rant. Could not hide frustation or jealousy. :D

@topic:
It is very nice to know that Indo-BD ties are improving. We should do as much as possible to develop strong relationship of mutual interests. SA is already lagging behind, there is no time for narrow mindedness. We should benefit from other experiences.

Way to go. :cheers:

Read the article. Neither off topic nor India bashing. This article clearly tried to paint a negative picture about Gen Zia, BNP and Jamat as villain of Bangladesh with respect to Bd-bharat relation and liberation while Awami league and mujib as real patriot. Fact of the matter is no real Bangladeshi Muslim would tolerate negative comment about Zia. He has done more for us including identity in few years than rest of the leaders combined.

Bharat needs to understand the mentality of Bangladeshi if wants to see us friend. If anything irritates us is that Dada giri and unwanted and uninvited interference in our internal political matter. We did not create Pakistan and than Bangladesh to be part of bharat or be like bharati. We are separate entity (at least in physiology) and that needs to be understood by bharati. We bangaldeshi will decide our fate in our way. You do not need tell us how to shape our society.

One hand you are hoping to build good relation with us and on the other hand talk negative about our greatest leader and his political ideology. :tdown::angry:
Not happening……:disagree:
 
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Read the article. Neither off topic nor India bashing. This article clearly tried to paint a negative picture about Gen Zia, BNP and Jamat as villain of Bangladesh with respect to Bd-bharat relation and liberation while Awami league and mujib as real patriot. Fact of the matter is no real Bangladeshi Muslim would tolerate negative comment about Zia. He has done more for us including identity in few years than rest of the leaders combined.

These all are your personal openions. You are not sole representative of Bangladeshi public.

Bharat needs to understand the mentality of Bangladeshi if wants to see us friend. If anything irritates us is that Dada giri and unwanted and uninvited interference in our internal political matter. We did not create Pakistan and than Bangladesh to be part of bharat or be like bharati. We are separate entity (at least in physiology) and that needs to be understood by bharati. We bangaldeshi will decide our fate in our way. You do not need tell us how to shape our society.

Another martial race theory in creation? Just an information, at time of Pakistan creation, BD was not there.
BD as part of India!!....rant at par best.:blah:

One hand you are hoping to build good relation with us and on the other hand talk negative about our greatest leader and his political ideology. :tdown::angry:
Not happening……:disagree:

BD guys have voted for Hasina govt. And they are doing a good job to improving ties between India and BD.
 
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Another martial race theory in creation? Just an information, at time of Pakistan creation, BD was not there.
BD as part of India!!....rant at par best.:blah:

I think he is correct,if my history is not wrong.It was the bengalis who proposed Pakistan.So technically he is correct.
 
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I think he is correct,if my history is not wrong.It was the bengalis who proposed Pakistan.So technically he is correct.

Even at the time of Pakistan creation there were a deep devidation in Bengal's politics. The secular faction led by Jinnah, Fazlul Haque, Sohrawardy joined Muslim League only for a separate economic and political entity for Muslims but not to build a fanatic state called Pakistan. But their ideology was hijacked by original Muslim Leaguers and Pakistan army and created a sense of insecurity among ordinary people and India bashing and Islam were used as a trump card for their own political mileage and power. Awami League was formed due to this deep rooted philoshopical dividataion as well as Bhutto formed PPP and both of these parties in East and West represented the secular faction of then Pakistan and which proved that most muslims population in East and West Pakistan were infact Secular not Fanatics which Al-Zakir tried to prove otherwise all the time.

Is it off topic???
 
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RAW analysis

It is not an analysis by RAw Mr. MBI Munshi.

Secondly, M/s Shiek Hasina is doing a superb job in development of Bangladesh. Also the mafia are on the run now and BD looking forward to assume it's right place in world economy. India should do everything it can to help the people of BD in their development.
 
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It is an analysis from a RAW analyst. The mafia in BD is now the AL. Anything that India wants for BD could not possbily be good for BD.
 
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The mafia in BD is now the AL.

This shows your prejudice ,and as some claims you are on ISI payroll, towards awami govt. They are doing a good job according to many in BD. You should try to view them from a neutral point of view.

As for your RAW claims, everyone is aware you are suffering from RAW paranoia so you will look towards India from that state of mind only.
 
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It is an analysis from a RAW analyst. The mafia in BD is now the AL. Anything that India wants for BD could not possbily be good for BD.

I never ever believe that India wants to see BD in good position. But there could be mutual deal which can be beneficial for both but it dose not mean that India wants our good. India will never allow such any deal which could be good for us and non-beneficial (not harming)to India, like tax free access of our few products in India.

And I also think that AL got huge vote just for the failure of BNP in terrorism issue. And BNP will again get huge vote if they can achieve the credibility that they do not support extremists. AL is BD people's second choice when BNP fails.
 
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Here comes another India basher.....offtopic rant. Could not hide frustation or jealousy. :D

@topic:
It is very nice to know that Indo-BD ties are improving. We should do as much as possible to develop strong relationship of mutual interests. SA is already lagging behind, there is no time for narrow mindedness. We should benefit from other experiences.

Way to go. :cheers:

Yes, it is going only on sided. So, if AL is not in the power we will face
a adversary country around us ?
 
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