Bangladesh-India Relations: Fifty Years of Friendship and Partnership

Md. Shariful Islam

Assistant Professor of International Relations, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Abstract

How can one understand the narratives on Bangladesh-India relations over the last 50 years? What are the key issues in Bangladesh-India ties? How can Bangladesh-India ties be deepened further in the next fifty years or beyond? This paper investigates these questions. It argues that though Bangladesh and India have experienced ups and downs in the post-1975 era, under the Sheikh Hasina government (2009-present), a golden chapter has been scripted in their bilateral ties. The paper argues that Bangladesh and India need each other for their mutual interest. Thus it is suggested that strengthening and widening the existing development partnership and people to people contacts becomes essential for the benefit of the people of these two countries and beyond.

Keywords: Bangladesh-India, development partnership, security cooperation, connectivity, border governance, people-to-people contacts.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55875/jbga.bd.may22.006

Read Pdf Here: Bangladesh-India Relations: Fifty Years of Friendship and Partnership

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