The resumption of these ‘pre-partition connectivities’ was announced by the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was the first Bangladeshi Prime Minister to visit the North East region, on the 40th year of its liberation and in which the region played a vital role.

The Bangladesh premiere was in Tripura to receive the degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) from Vice-President Hamid Ansari at the Tripura Central University in the presence of the Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Tripura’s Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. She was offered the honorary degree by the university in recognition of her “great contribution to the protection of multicultural democracy and peace” in her country and in the sub-continent. An emotional Ms. Hasina said her long cherished dream was fulfilled as she arrived in Tripura which is one of the prime locations from where the Bangladesh Liberation War was fought.

Tripura’s tremendous sacrifices during the glorious Bangladesh liberation war for independence in other words can be termed as the ‘war capital’ as it sheltered more than 15 lakh people from across the border, the Bangladesh Prime Minister said. She added, “I express my deep gratitude to the people of Tripura who gave us food, shelter and clothing and care when the people of our country were subject of inhuman and barbaric torture at the hands of the army and migrated to this land. Other states of this region also took a lot of pain for our liberation. Our freedom fighters received training and support on this side of the border and eventually fought with our Indian friends to the final surrender of the occupation forces and liberation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.

Sheikh Hasina opined that the region is lagging behind because, unlike the European Union, this part of the world suffers from poor connectivity and inter-regional trade which is even less than nine percent.

Sheikh Hasina, while addressing the India-Bangladesh business meet said, “We can free the people of this region from the shackles of poverty only if we can improve the business and economy of this region through better cooperation and bilateral relation. There is a lot of scope and also challenges but problems can be solved through dialogue and since India is a very large nation it should come forward with a more liberal attitude to solve common problems between the two countries.”

More than three hundred representatives of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) participated in the meet at the Pragnya Bhavan in Tripura’s capital Agartala.

Hasina, calling for more free trade to Bangladeshi products said, “In the Southeast Asia region, Bangladesh is the biggest importer of Indian goods that annually amounts to more than $ 3 billion but on the contrary India imports amount to only $ 250 million. However, India has removed its import tariff from 46 garment items. Again under the SAFTA agreements, tariff will hopefully be removed from all exported items to India which has opened the market for Bangladesh goods. I urge the Bangladeshi business community to take advantage of this and to survey the market demands here so that we can produce those items in our country and reduce the huge business gap.”

 

Bangladesh is the biggest importer of Indian goods that annually amounts to more than $ 3 billion but on the contrary India imports amount to only $ 250 million.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister said that in order to improve connectivity in the region, “The Bangladesh government has recently decided to allow neighboring countries including India to ferry goods through the Chittagong and Mongla sea ports besides the Ashuganj river port which has facilitated transit of heavy equipment for the upcoming Palatana power project of Tripura and in return we demand electricity for that project. There is a lot of gas in this state and if it is utilized properly then it can solve the power crisis of this region along with Bangladesh. Recently we have also decided for Agartala-Akhuara rail connectivity, construction of a bridge on the Feni river and opening up of new customs land port at Sabroom-Ramghar area.”

She reminded the Indian government that a solution to the Teesta water sharing problem should be arrived at sooner than later, quipping that “As a much bigger neighbour, India could afford to be magnanimous.” She said that Bangladesh was keen to get into joint ventures in the power projects in India’s North East, especially Tripura, from which it imports electricity to tide over its rising power shortfall.

Sheikh Hasina reiterated her government’s policy of zero-tolerance for terrorism and, in an oblique reference to the bases of the Northeastern militants that earlier existed in her country, warned “Disruptive elements who believe in violence” to stay away from her country.

But as the Bangladesh Prime Minister tries to improve friendly relations with India demanding for a peaceful, secular and pro-people democracy in the region there are reports of a conspiracy of an army coup by a group of fundamentalist like-minded army and ex-serviceman.

Earlier also there have been incidents of direct attack on Sheikh Hasin by anti-India and other fanatic groups who are in favour of converting Bangladesh into the next Afghanistan. The most important question now is who will come to power in Bangladesh after its next elections which are coming up in two years. Peace and development of this part of the world depends on the outcome of these elections.

Chandana Bhowmik

Photos By: P Das