Editorial Desk :
In response to an invitation by General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ram Madhav, a 20-member delegation led by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader recently visited India. During their visit the delegation visited Indian Lokshova Bhaban after paying tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India, at Rajghat of Delhi. It was followed by a meeting with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Later they went to the new head quarter of BJP. Though the BJP President Amit Shah was not present there, the delegation had a meeting with other top leaders of the party. At night, they attended a dinner hosted by Ram Madhav.
According to Indian media, the delegation went to Delhi to exchange views with BJP leaders only. It was not expected that, being invited by BJP, they would meet Congress or any other party leaders. The meeting of Obaidul Quader with Narendra Modi found great importance in Indian media. But there was no news in any newspaper about what was discussed in the meeting between the Awami League delegation and the leaders of BJP. Let’s look into what the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi told the Awami League delegation. He repeated what the Indians usually say to Bangladesh. He said, “The relation that started since the Liberation War has been elevated to a unique height. This relation is time tested.”
However, much time has been elapsed without resolving the Teesta issue, which does not reflect the elevated relationship.
The election is around the corner. If the Teesta Water agreement does not come into fruitition, it will be difficult for the people of Bangladesh to realize the greatness of Bangladesh-India friendship. The Indian Prime Minister is aware of it too. But it is not that much easy for him to remove the barrier for making the agreement. We know that the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banurjee and her Trinomool Congress are against the agreement. And perhaps, the Chief Minister of Orissa is also not in favor of it. So, the Indian intellectuals are in the opinion that decision should be taken after discussing with all concerning states through which Teesta flows. It means in order to give the share of water to Bangladesh the positive public opinion is a must for India. That is why, the Indian Central Government is making delay to work on resolving this issue. Let us hope for the best!
Modi assured the delegation that they are trying to come up with a solution of Teesta Water ‘as soon as possible’. About Rohingya issue he supports the role of Bangladesh and wishes its solution ‘as soon as possible’. Diplomats are acutely aware of how much time can be elapsed using the parlance ‘as soon as possible’. One can question, when India wants quick resolution of the Teesta Water Sharing problem and Rohingya Repatriation issue, why it is taking so much time solving these two issues. Does it mean that India is not able to convince the concerned authorities? Only India knows the answer. People of Bangladesh have no clear idea of what the Awami League delegation have achieved by visiting India.
There is speculation that the election of Bangladesh will be held at the end of 2018. The election time is coming closer day by day. The rainy season is impending, and if the repatriation of Rohingya is delayed, humanitarian problems will be aggravated. Then it will be difficult to keep the public opinion in favour of the sitting government. If the BJP government of India wants to see the next government of Bangladesh to be formed based on public consensus, Awami League have to keep the public opinion in its favour by solving the old unsolved problems quickly. If public opinion is in favour of the government, the international community will be respectful, otherwise they will not.
It is difficult to assume what Delhi would do or wishes to do to fulfil the need and expectation of Bangladesh. However, at the moment, India would want to establish business partnership in medical services, education, IT and banking sectors. But Bangladeshi entrepreneurs already have the capacity to invest in these sectors independently. It is not unexpected that joint venture might result in adverse reaction among physicians, teachers, IT professionals and bankers of Bangladesh, because 35,000 Indians are already working in these sectors. Joint venture investment will increase the number of Indian employees, which will trigger a negative reaction. Bangladesh needs to invest USD 32,000 cr for the construction of Roads, Railway, and Deep Sea Port. Besides, more investment is required in electricity and fuel sector. Because of geographical proximity, Bangladesh has the opportunity to export products to China, countries of the ASEAN region and 7 North-Eastern states of India. That is why, Bangladesh should invest in manufacturing sector. Bangladesh should welcome the initiative if India is willing to invest in manufacturing enterprises. Are they showing their interest at all? According to a report by FBCCI, Bangladesh exported products of USD 67 cr to India whereas imported products equivalent to USD 616 cr from India. It shows how crucial it is to invest in product manufacturing sector.
The Indian Prime Minister has given assurance to AL delegation for being beside Bangladesh or in weal and woe. However, what indeed is reflected through the following speech of the Chairman of Dhaka Chamber, “Last year Bangladeshi businessmen had to go through a huge amount of loss because India imposed the antidumping vat for exporting jute and jute products from Bangladesh.”
We hope for a meaningful friendship not in words, but in deeds. India has to be realistic in looking into their interest and the meaningful interest of Bangladesh as well. Only then the bilateral relation will be strengthened.
In response to an invitation by General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ram Madhav, a 20-member delegation led by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader recently visited India. During their visit the delegation visited Indian Lokshova Bhaban after paying tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India, at Rajghat of Delhi. It was followed by a meeting with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Later they went to the new head quarter of BJP. Though the BJP President Amit Shah was not present there, the delegation had a meeting with other top leaders of the party. At night, they attended a dinner hosted by Ram Madhav.
According to Indian media, the delegation went to Delhi to exchange views with BJP leaders only. It was not expected that, being invited by BJP, they would meet Congress or any other party leaders. The meeting of Obaidul Quader with Narendra Modi found great importance in Indian media. But there was no news in any newspaper about what was discussed in the meeting between the Awami League delegation and the leaders of BJP. Let’s look into what the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi told the Awami League delegation. He repeated what the Indians usually say to Bangladesh. He said, “The relation that started since the Liberation War has been elevated to a unique height. This relation is time tested.”
However, much time has been elapsed without resolving the Teesta issue, which does not reflect the elevated relationship.
The election is around the corner. If the Teesta Water agreement does not come into fruitition, it will be difficult for the people of Bangladesh to realize the greatness of Bangladesh-India friendship. The Indian Prime Minister is aware of it too. But it is not that much easy for him to remove the barrier for making the agreement. We know that the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banurjee and her Trinomool Congress are against the agreement. And perhaps, the Chief Minister of Orissa is also not in favor of it. So, the Indian intellectuals are in the opinion that decision should be taken after discussing with all concerning states through which Teesta flows. It means in order to give the share of water to Bangladesh the positive public opinion is a must for India. That is why, the Indian Central Government is making delay to work on resolving this issue. Let us hope for the best!
Modi assured the delegation that they are trying to come up with a solution of Teesta Water ‘as soon as possible’. About Rohingya issue he supports the role of Bangladesh and wishes its solution ‘as soon as possible’. Diplomats are acutely aware of how much time can be elapsed using the parlance ‘as soon as possible’. One can question, when India wants quick resolution of the Teesta Water Sharing problem and Rohingya Repatriation issue, why it is taking so much time solving these two issues. Does it mean that India is not able to convince the concerned authorities? Only India knows the answer. People of Bangladesh have no clear idea of what the Awami League delegation have achieved by visiting India.
There is speculation that the election of Bangladesh will be held at the end of 2018. The election time is coming closer day by day. The rainy season is impending, and if the repatriation of Rohingya is delayed, humanitarian problems will be aggravated. Then it will be difficult to keep the public opinion in favour of the sitting government. If the BJP government of India wants to see the next government of Bangladesh to be formed based on public consensus, Awami League have to keep the public opinion in its favour by solving the old unsolved problems quickly. If public opinion is in favour of the government, the international community will be respectful, otherwise they will not.
It is difficult to assume what Delhi would do or wishes to do to fulfil the need and expectation of Bangladesh. However, at the moment, India would want to establish business partnership in medical services, education, IT and banking sectors. But Bangladeshi entrepreneurs already have the capacity to invest in these sectors independently. It is not unexpected that joint venture might result in adverse reaction among physicians, teachers, IT professionals and bankers of Bangladesh, because 35,000 Indians are already working in these sectors. Joint venture investment will increase the number of Indian employees, which will trigger a negative reaction. Bangladesh needs to invest USD 32,000 cr for the construction of Roads, Railway, and Deep Sea Port. Besides, more investment is required in electricity and fuel sector. Because of geographical proximity, Bangladesh has the opportunity to export products to China, countries of the ASEAN region and 7 North-Eastern states of India. That is why, Bangladesh should invest in manufacturing sector. Bangladesh should welcome the initiative if India is willing to invest in manufacturing enterprises. Are they showing their interest at all? According to a report by FBCCI, Bangladesh exported products of USD 67 cr to India whereas imported products equivalent to USD 616 cr from India. It shows how crucial it is to invest in product manufacturing sector.
The Indian Prime Minister has given assurance to AL delegation for being beside Bangladesh or in weal and woe. However, what indeed is reflected through the following speech of the Chairman of Dhaka Chamber, “Last year Bangladeshi businessmen had to go through a huge amount of loss because India imposed the antidumping vat for exporting jute and jute products from Bangladesh.”
We hope for a meaningful friendship not in words, but in deeds. India has to be realistic in looking into their interest and the meaningful interest of Bangladesh as well. Only then the bilateral relation will be strengthened.
