India shared the largest length (~1000 km) border with Bangladesh and has been key to [1971] Bangladesh liberation war.
Diagram showing: Chinese string of pearls (strategic location of ports, Transport routes [BBIN], Significance of Bangladesh, India, Trade ties, door to Act East policy of India, Bengali language).
Bangladesh - key pillar for India:
1Geopolitical significance - ~1000 km long border
2Vital for connectivity to Northeast - Road/Rail connect established between Kolkata and Agartala
3Economic value - Trade worth $18 billion in 2023-24, India offered line of credit
4Role in security - of border regions
(Ex) Intelligence sharing, border security
5Connectivity projects - BBIN agreement, Inland water transport
6Cultural sinks - Bangladeshi students, Liberation war history, Language diplomacy (Bengali)
Issues threatening 'Sonali Adhyay':
1Teesta water dispute - Bangladesh riparian state, disputes in river sharing agreement (opposition from West Bengal)
2Issue of Illegal migrants - to Assam, West Bengal
3Illegal activities around border - smuggling drugs, arms, cattle, human trafficking
4Chinese involvement - through BRI, port development
5Assam Accord, NRC, CAA, 2019 - anxiety in Bangladesh
Preserving Sonali Adhyay - strategy:
1Dispute resolution - (as done by 107A amendment Act, need of water sharing [Teesta] heat)
2Border fencing and surveillance
3Enhance cultural exchange
4Secure maritime interest - in Bay of Bengal, Military exercises
5Counter Chinese nexus - swift infrastructure project, revival of BBIN
3Illegal activities around border - smuggling drugs, arms, cattle, human trafficking
4Chinese involvement - through BRI, port development
5Assam Accord, NRC, CAA, 2019 - anxiety in Bangladesh
Preserving Sonali Adhyay - strategy:
1Illegal activities around border - smuggling drugs, arms, cattle, human trafficking
4Chinese involvement - through BRI, port development
5Assam Accord, NRC, CAA, 2019 - anxiety in Bangladesh
Preserving Sonali Adhyay - strategy:
1Dispute resolution - (as done by 107A amendment Act, need of water sharing [Teesta] heat)
2Border fencing and surveillance
3Enhance cultural exchange
4Secure maritime interest - in Bay of Bengal, Military exercises
5Counter Chinese nexus - swift infrastructure project, revival of BBIN
3Illegal activities around border - smuggling drugs, smuggling drugs, smuggling drugs, arms, cattle, human trafficking
4Chinese involvement - through BRI, port development
5Assam Accord, NRC, CAA, 2019 - anxiety in Bangladesh
Preserving Sonali Adhyay - strategy:
1Dispute resolution - (as done by 107A amendment Act, need of water sharing [Teesta] heat)
2Border fencing and surveillance
3Enhance cultural exchange
4Secure maritime interest - in Bay of Bengal, Military exercises
5Counter Chinese nexus - swift infrastructure project, revival of BBIN
India - Bangladesh ties are vital for upholding Guyani Doctrine