Lightning visit, lasting impacts

New Delhi is more than a diplomatic hub for global leaders, but for PM Hasina, the capital has been a comforting place like a home, after the tragic assassination of Bangabandhu, her father, and other family members in 1975. Her residency in this town has been pivotal in shaping her remarkable persona, imbuing her with strength and wisdom.
PM Modi and Hasina met nearly 10 times in less than a year. The government to government relations have blossomed over a decade. PM Hasina is the first state-guest of India after the new cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was formed. "Bangladesh is India's biggest development partner, and we give utmost priority to our relations with Bangladesh," PM Modi remarked in his address in New Delhi.
Talking Teesta
Politics stops at water’s edge, but the two leaders have shown deft skills to table the main issue and tame the mighty Teesta. Water shortage in the dry season remains one of the frustrating issues in Bangladesh. During her visit, PM Hasina and her Indian counterpart attempted their best to mitigate the issue. The Teesta river has evolved beyond being merely a watercourse. In the near future, a technical delegation will visit Bangladesh to engage in discussions regarding the conservation and management of the Teesta river in Bangladesh. Interestingly, Teesta has earned strategic significance in the wake of long diplomatic talks.
Deepening connectivity
The enhancement of digital and energy connectivity as discussed in the prime ministerial talks is expected to boost the economies of both nations. In pursuit of elevating bilateral economic ties, both sides have committed to initiating negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). But before inking CEPA, two sides need a round of negotiations, especially on tariffs and items. The Rupee-Taka currency trade between the two has already reduced the dependency on third currency. Bangladesh will eventually find a steady boost in flow of finance from Indian Inc.
Indian High Commission in Dhaka receives and processes one of the largest number of visas. The e-medical visa facility as announced during the visit for people coming from Bangladesh to India for medical treatment is a great step to heal patients and satisfy the concerned families. Opening of a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur will serve the people in the North-Western region of Bangladesh better. Interestingly, the people of Teesta basin in Bangladesh will be beneficiary of this facility.
Infrastructure projects like the Akhaura-Agartala rail link and the Maitree Express have streamlined transportation, enhancing trade and tourism between the two nations. Economic partnerships, the establishment of special economic zones, have spurred growth and development in border regions, catalyzing shared prosperity.
Under the leadership of PM Hasina and Modi, the two neighbours are looking to deepen their ties. The Chittagong-Kolkata bus service, announced during PM Hasina's visit, is expected to streamline travel between the two major economic centres, reducing travel time and logistical complexities for passengers and businesses alike. This direct route is bound to boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange by providing a more convenient and efficient mode of transport.
Simultaneously, the announced Kolkata-Rajshahi train service promises to improve connectivity within Bangladesh, particularly benefiting commuters and traders by offering a reliable and comfortable travel option. The link is being laid to catalyze economic activities in Rajshahi and neighbouring regions by facilitating smoother access to Kolkata's markets and periphery. Furthermore, India has pledged its support for the development of an Inland Container Depot in Sirajganj, Bangladesh.
A reliable partner
In a press briefing on PM Hasina’s visit on Saturday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, termed India-Bangladesh ties “time-tested.”
As Bangladesh modernizes its defense facilities, India stands as a suitable partner, offering expertise in defense technologies and a deep understanding of hardware systems that Bangladesh also employs or requires.
New Delhi and Dhaka are dedicated to enhancing power and energy cooperation, promoting intra-regional electricity trade, which includes competitively-priced power from clean energy projects in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, facilitated through the Indian electricity grid. They are also committed to expediting the construction of the 765kV high-capacity interconnection between Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar, supported by suitable financial assistance from India.
Bangladesh, an LDC graduating country, and India have elegantly woven a chain of regional connectivity in South Asia, exemplified by their collaborative efforts across various domains. As part of our sub-regional connectivity initiatives, India has offered transit facilities for Bangladeshi goods to Nepal and Bhutan via railway networks, emphasizing commitment to operationalize the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement, alongside welcoming a new MoU on railway connectivity and the prospective goods-train service from Gede-Darshana through Chilahati-Haldibari to Hasimara via Dalgaon railhead at the India-Bhutan border. In his third term, as PM Modi is gearing up projects in homeland, it’s expected the pace of bilateral projects will be faster under the leadership of two leaders.
In a geopolitical arena characterized by division and isolationism, the actions of this neighbouring pair stands out as a beacon of cooperation and forward-thinking. While many nations are focused on building walls -- both metaphorically and physically -- India and Bangladesh are engaged in a collaborative effort to weave a fabric of connectivity and common prosperity. Delhi and Dhaka’s initiatives to lay down new roads and rail lines are not merely infrastructural projects but symbolic gestures of integration and shared vision. By investing in these transport links, the two neighbours are facilitating easier movement of people, goods, and ideas across their borders, thereby fostering economic growth and cultural exchange.
By inviting Bangladesh's prime minister as a guest during the G20 summit and hosting her as the first state guest in Prime Minister Modi's third term, New Delhi demonstrates an alignment aimed at cementing not just bilateral ties but also ensuring regional stability and integration.
Ayanangsha Maitra is an Indian journalist and Foreign Affairs scholar.