Bangladesh is a key pillar of India's Neighborhood First policy, but recent developments on both sides threaten to disrupt the 'Sonali Adhyay' in bilateral relations. Analyze. (15 marks, 250 words)
Introduction
"You can change friends, not neighbours" - Atal Bihari Vajpayee India & Bangladesh share a boundary of 4096 km and share a close historic & strategic ties rooted in India's involvement in liberation of Bangladesh (1971)
36 words
Main Body
Bangladesh - A Key Pillar of Neighbourhood First
(a) Counter Growing rise of china in the region - Eg) Acquired Chittagong Port development tender
(b) Realise India's goal of regional leadership & a leader of Global South
2.1) Bilateral trade of $16 Bn - highest amongst South Asian partners
2.2) Undertake key infrastructure projects such as Kaladan, Akhaura rail link etc
3.1) Counter illegal immigration into India
3.2) Reduce radicalisation against India
4.1) Extends India's soft power in region
4.2) Collaborate on conservation of Sundarban project
Recent Developments Creating Challenges
(i) Political instability in Bangladesh & rise of Anti India sentiments
(ii) Disagreement of river sharing especially regarding Teesta
(iii) Rise of Illegal immigration & India's deportation
(iv) Jamaat e Islami's rise leading to extremism & human rights violation
(v) Use of excessive force by Border Security Force
Way Forward
(i) Increase dialogue with new govt
(ii) Increase trade integration
(iii) Creation of Integrated check points to reduce illegal immigration
(ii) Creation of Hub & Spoke model where higher ranked institutions act as hubs helping lower ranked institutions [diagram showing high rank institution connected to low rank institutions]
& PAIR Programme of National Research Foundation
(iii) Performance linked funding of universities (Niti Aayog)
(iv) Align standards with International metrics
(v) Create independent autonomous body for QS ranking regularly.
Conclusion
"India cannot be a rising power & ignore the region it is rising in" - S. Jaishankar These measures will enable us to achieve goal of becoming Vishwaguru in higher education.
31 words
Diagram
A diagram showing Hub & Spoke model with a central 'High Rank' institution connected via arrows to multiple 'Low Rank' institutions.
- Effective opening quote
- Historical context provided
- Specific example (Chittagong Port)
- Comprehensive dimensions covered (economic, security, cultural)
- Specific figures cited ($16 Bn trade)
- Named infrastructure projects
- Strong closing quote from S. Jaishankar
- Balanced coverage of challenges and way forward
- Specific issue reference (Teesta river dispute)
- Use of diagram to illustrate model
- Specific scheme reference (PAIR Programme, Niti Aayog)
Aryan Sirsikar
India and its Neighborhood - Relations
India-Bangladesh Relations
Neighborhood First Policy and Bilateral Ties
296
Total words
12
Paragraphs
analytical
Tone