New Delhi:
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be starting her three-day visit to India on Sunday. The issue of terror and trade is expected to top the agenda.
One year before, Sheikh Hasina had said, "We will not allow Bangladesh's land to be used by terrorists, especially against our neighbouring countries. We had taken a tough stand when we were in power last time. We will continue that policy."
A year after that declaration, upon winning a landmark election, Dhaka feels, Sheikh Hasina has delivered
with crackdowns on groups like the HUJI and against ULFA leaders based across the border.
Now, in an attempt to stifle her critics among the opposition BNP and the radical Right, Hasina is hoping that New Delhi will give her something to show in return.
Three agreements -- on mutual legal assistance against crime, the transfer of sentenced people, and on combating terrorism -- will be signed during the visit, A MoU on power sharing in which India will help set up two 1300 MW power plants in Bangladesh will also be signed.
As goodwill increases, Bangladesh is looking for movement in some key areas like narrowing the trade imbalance. Currently official Indian trade is at 3 billion dollars vs Bangladesh's 349 million dollars. Bangladesh is looking to export more duty free products into India.
And a water sharing agreement is also the cards. After the Ganges water treaty in 1996, there has been no movement on this hugely emotive and political issue.
Talks were held last week after a gap of seven years on the water sharing issue. Bangladesh is looking for a time bound commitment to resolving the dispute over the Teesta river waters.
India is also planning to extend a 500 million dollar line of credit for railway infrastructure to Bangladesh as well, even as it keeps its eye on the security front burner.
For much of the last three decades, Indo-Bangla ties have seen their share of strain. Now, sources say for the first time since 1971 there seems to be a return to that sense of trust and friendship.
As Hasina comes visiting now, it's up to Delhi to prop up its weakest neighbour by giving her proof of India's commitment to a stronger, democratic, less poor, and secular Bangladesh. Because it's the fragility of these very basics that's at stake.
One year before, Sheikh Hasina had said, "We will not allow Bangladesh's land to be used by terrorists, especially against our neighbouring countries. We had taken a tough stand when we were in power last time. We will continue that policy."
A year after that declaration, upon winning a landmark election, Dhaka feels, Sheikh Hasina has delivered
with crackdowns on groups like the HUJI and against ULFA leaders based across the border.
Now, in an attempt to stifle her critics among the opposition BNP and the radical Right, Hasina is hoping that New Delhi will give her something to show in return.
Three agreements -- on mutual legal assistance against crime, the transfer of sentenced people, and on combating terrorism -- will be signed during the visit, A MoU on power sharing in which India will help set up two 1300 MW power plants in Bangladesh will also be signed.
As goodwill increases, Bangladesh is looking for movement in some key areas like narrowing the trade imbalance. Currently official Indian trade is at 3 billion dollars vs Bangladesh's 349 million dollars. Bangladesh is looking to export more duty free products into India.
And a water sharing agreement is also the cards. After the Ganges water treaty in 1996, there has been no movement on this hugely emotive and political issue.
Talks were held last week after a gap of seven years on the water sharing issue. Bangladesh is looking for a time bound commitment to resolving the dispute over the Teesta river waters.
India is also planning to extend a 500 million dollar line of credit for railway infrastructure to Bangladesh as well, even as it keeps its eye on the security front burner.
For much of the last three decades, Indo-Bangla ties have seen their share of strain. Now, sources say for the first time since 1971 there seems to be a return to that sense of trust and friendship.
As Hasina comes visiting now, it's up to Delhi to prop up its weakest neighbour by giving her proof of India's commitment to a stronger, democratic, less poor, and secular Bangladesh. Because it's the fragility of these very basics that's at stake.
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