The land boundary agreement between India and Bangladesh was conceived originally in 1974.The then prime ministers of India and Bangladesh agreed upon to sign the agreement.But,the agreement couldn't materialise for nearly three and a half decades due to lack of political consensus on both sides.It was in 2011,that the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart,Sheikh Hasina decided to end the impasse on border issue.However,no consensus prevailed even during this period,which further delayed its immediate ratification.
The BJP government has now decided to solve the border row after getting a massive mandate in recent Lok Sabha elections.It has decided to forge a consensus on primarily three issues.First,approximately 6 kilometers of the nearly 4000 km long boundary is virtually unsettled.The unsettled boundary land falls within the territorial domain of Assam. Tripura,
Meghalaya and parts of West-Bengal.It has spurred illegal migration,cattle-smuggling and drug-smuggling over decades,which would be put under control if the agreement is signed.
Second.India has almost 111 enclaves in the territory of Bangladesh,while 51 Bangladeshi enclaves are in Indian territory.For decades,the people in these enclaves have suffered immensely as they could not avail the citizenship rights of either of these nations.Moreover these enclaves have too become a safe-haven for illegal migration.The apprehension of territorial loss for Assam is rather unfounded because India does not govern the Indian enclaves in Bangladesh,and vice-versa.
Third,certain territorial lands are in adverse possession of both the nations.That said,Bangladesh land contiguous with the border, inhabitated by its citizens,and de facto under its control.but falling within the Indian side of the border,and vice-versa. The solution to the issue of adverse-possession is pre-requisite for demarcating the border and also facilitating trade.
It is a well-known fact that India shares a 4000 km long boundary with Bangladesh.Yet.most of the trade is conducted by sea resulting in avoidable trade barriers.It is essential to carry out both the land and sea-based trade for greater integration of both the nations.The regional trade between Bangladesh and North-east India is also expected to grow.Further,the agreement would put an end to illegal migration and smuggling across the border,which until now has been a cause of concern for the demographic profile of Assam and its adjoining states.The demarcated boundary would encourage effective monitoring thus preventing cross-border crimes.
Thus,the land-border agreement between the two nations is a long overdue step.India and Bangladesh must exhibit the political will which will have salutary effect on the long-term economic and security interests of both the nations!
The BJP government has now decided to solve the border row after getting a massive mandate in recent Lok Sabha elections.It has decided to forge a consensus on primarily three issues.First,approximately 6 kilometers of the nearly 4000 km long boundary is virtually unsettled.The unsettled boundary land falls within the territorial domain of Assam. Tripura,
Meghalaya and parts of West-Bengal.It has spurred illegal migration,cattle-smuggling and drug-smuggling over decades,which would be put under control if the agreement is signed.
Second.India has almost 111 enclaves in the territory of Bangladesh,while 51 Bangladeshi enclaves are in Indian territory.For decades,the people in these enclaves have suffered immensely as they could not avail the citizenship rights of either of these nations.Moreover these enclaves have too become a safe-haven for illegal migration.The apprehension of territorial loss for Assam is rather unfounded because India does not govern the Indian enclaves in Bangladesh,and vice-versa.
Third,certain territorial lands are in adverse possession of both the nations.That said,Bangladesh land contiguous with the border, inhabitated by its citizens,and de facto under its control.but falling within the Indian side of the border,and vice-versa. The solution to the issue of adverse-possession is pre-requisite for demarcating the border and also facilitating trade.
It is a well-known fact that India shares a 4000 km long boundary with Bangladesh.Yet.most of the trade is conducted by sea resulting in avoidable trade barriers.It is essential to carry out both the land and sea-based trade for greater integration of both the nations.The regional trade between Bangladesh and North-east India is also expected to grow.Further,the agreement would put an end to illegal migration and smuggling across the border,which until now has been a cause of concern for the demographic profile of Assam and its adjoining states.The demarcated boundary would encourage effective monitoring thus preventing cross-border crimes.
Thus,the land-border agreement between the two nations is a long overdue step.India and Bangladesh must exhibit the political will which will have salutary effect on the long-term economic and security interests of both the nations!
No comments:
Post a Comment