BJ

BHOOMIKA JAINAIR 331· 2025

Question Q.20AnalyzeGS2GS2

Bangladesh is a key pillar of India's Neighbourhood First policy, but recent developments on both sides threaten to disrupt the 'Sonali Adhyay' in bilateral relations. Analyze. (15 marks, 250 words)

Open scan (p.47)

Main Body

The Sonali Adhyay of India-Bangladesh relationship has begun but faces problems.

Key pieces of neighbourhood ties seen through:-

1Trade - $18 billion
2People to people ties - (e.g Bengali legacy)
3Connectivity - (e.g Agawala-Akhaura State link)
4Multilateral support - (e.g BIMSTEC, ZORA, etc.
5Infrastructure - Chapainawabganj (TAJMAHAL) to Chittagong (CAODA)
6Defence support - Sampriti exercise, PAX-21.

yet recent development threaten:-

1Instability - gyni fall of Awami League
2Sino-China sentiment - among elite authorities
3Refugee crisis - Rohingya from Myanmar.
4Failure of peace diplomacy - (e.g West Bengal against Bangladesh refugee support)
5Border disputes - (e.g Terra Tillee water dispute.
6Part of string of Pearls - China's naval base at Cox Bazaar in Bangladesh & Chittagong
7Trade threat - Against India in WTO.

Ways to reform:-

1Constructive engagement with every deprivation
2Countering string of Pearls with Nemad of Diamonds
3Consistent building measures
4soft power diplomacy - (e.g Yoga, Bollywood promotion)
5Engagement through multi-lateral forums

This would help in realizing convergences and managing threats to realize dreams of global South leadership.

187 words7 paragraphs

Conclusion

This would help in realizing convergences and managing threats to realize dreams of global South leadership.

16 words

Diagram

Simple map of India and Bangladesh showing their geographical relationship

Topper

BHOOMIKA JAIN

AIR 3312025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

India and its Neighborhood - Relations

India-Bangladesh Relations

Bilateral Relations - Challenges

Writing Stats

203

Total words

7

Paragraphs

structured analytical with point format

Tone