Nepal, Bangladesh can share much
Yuba Nath Lamsal
Nepal and Bangladesh are neighbours and close friends that can share many things and cooperate with one another on various fronts. Nepal and Bangladesh possess many commonalities and also have similar experiences in nation building which can be shared by both the countries for their survival and development.
Bangladesh is a new country created only 38 years ago following a mass revolt guided by Bengali nationalism. It used to be called East Pakistan until 1971 when Bangladesh was established as an independent and sovereign country. During the British engineered partition of Indian sub-continent on religious basis, the present Bangladesh was made a part of Pakistan simply because it had overwhelming Muslim majority. But the voice for the separate Bangladesh was raised even during the time of partition. A group of individuals had rejected the ‘two-nation theory’ on the basis of which Hindustan and Pakistan were created out of the British administered united India. Some Bangladeshis had demanded more than two nations and creation of separate Bangladesh instead of being the part of Pakistan. The Bengali nationalism was so strong that they kept their flame of movement for their independent state alive which came into fruition in 1971.
Led by Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, who is revered as Bangabandhu (father of the nation), Bangladesh got independence. After the liberation succeeded to establish Bangladesh as an independent country, Seikh Mujib became the first prime minister of Bangladesh, who vowed to create democratic, secular and socialist Bangladesh. The constitution visualized parliamentary form of democracy on Westminster model based on four cardinal principles: secularism, socialism, democracy and Bengali nationalism. However, these principles were later dumped into the waste container when Mujib’s government was overthrown in a military coup in 1975. Since then, Bangladesh underwent political turbulences. The secular, democratic and socialist concepts were rejected by the military regimes.
In its 38 years of history, Bangladesh has remained under martial law most of the time. Only recently, democracy has been restored in Bangladesh and Awami League headed by Seikh Hasina Wajed, daughter of Bangabandhu Seikh Mujib, is in power winning a landslide victory in the parliamentary election held last year. The overwhelming victory of Hasina’s Awami League party is a testament that the ethos and ideology of liberation struggle still remain deep-rooted in the mind and hearts of Bangladeshi voters. The Awami League played a pivotal role in the Bangladesh liberation war and is linked it with the spirit of struggle and liberation. Prime Minister Hasina has vowed to revive the 1972 constitution and make Bangladesh a true democratic and secular country. She might face severe obstacle from the fundamentalist elements that have been patronized by some political parties in her efforts to turn Bangladesh into a secular country. However, she appears determined to do what she has promised.
Although Bangladesh is a new nation, its survival strategy and struggle for development have been quite identical to those of Nepal. Bangladesh got independence because of the determined people and their struggle for their own distinct identity. Neighbouring India had provided moral and material support to the agitating Bangladeshis in their liberation war. But its support was not guided with the intention of helping the Bangladeshis but motivated by its strategy to split and weaken its arch rival Pakistan. The vested interest of India could be seen right after the liberation of Bangladesh as New Delhi sought the dividend from the newly created Bangladesh in the form control over Bangladesh in governance, economy, security and foreign policy, which has been the main source of irritation in the bilateral relations between these two countries. India initially thought that newly created Bangladesh would be its closest ally in South Asia because of its role in the liberation war. However, India’s own policy annoyed Bangladesh and has kept itself away from Indian influence. Now India is the main external security threat to Bangladesh and its entire security strategy is to counter Indian hegemony.
Although Bangladesh is a new state compared to Nepal, it carries a long and rich history and culture. The survival strategy and security perspective of Bangladesh are so distinct and unique that Nepal has much to learn. As a small country surrounded on three sides by India, Bangladesh has several unresolved issues with India including the border dispute in some points, sharing of waters from rivers that flow down from Himalayas of Nepal to the Bay of Bengal via India. As a lower riparian state, Bangladesh has always been exploited by upper riparian India in sharing of water of these rivers. The main source of friction is the issue related to Farakka dam, which was built by India on Ganges almost close to the point where the river is to enter Bangladesh border. By building Farakka dam, India has diverted water substantially reducing the flow of water in the river that flows to Bangladesh. This has already caused negative impact on environment, economy, industry and agriculture in Bangladesh. Although Bangladesh has raised this issue in bilateral, regional and international forums, India has turned a deaf ear towards the plea and demand of the Bangladesh. India is exploiting Bangladesh in the share of water raising the rights of upper riparian country whereas it has taken just the opposite stance while dealing with Nepal on water sharing. With Nepal, India champions the cause of lower riparian state and tries to exploit Nepal. Therein lies a clear double standard and duplicity of India in relation with its neighbours. Bangladesh has sought for the involvement of Nepal in dealing with water of the Himalayan rivers in South Asia, which has been rejected by India. The other dangerous plan India has mooted is its river linking project. If it at all comes into operation, Bangladesh would be further hit and the entire Bangladesh would be in crisis of water.
This is a common problem for both Nepal and Bangladesh, as Nepal also faces problems in dealing with water resources with India. India has built several dams on several rivers close to border with Nepal without informing the Nepal government in a similar way Farakka dam was constructed on Ganges close to border with Bangladesh. This has already created serious problems of flooding and inundation in Nepal sides. While India constructed Farakka dam to divert water to India during dry season, it has constructed dams on rivers along the borders with Nepal to block the flood water.
These problems can be dealt only when Nepal and Bangladesh work together and cooperate with one another. Close cooperation and exchange of experiences would be helpful for both the countries in their fight against social and economic malaises and security related issues. Nepal and Bangladesh are small, poor and the least developed countries. Poverty has been the single biggest challenge that these countries are faced with. Almost half and in some cases more than the half of the population in both the countries are poor. In Bangladesh 47 per cent people are poor and 37 per cent are below poverty line whose earning is less than a dollar a day. Similarly, Nepal also has more than half of the population under poverty, although official statistics claim that poverty has come down to below 30 per cent. Both Nepal and Bangladesh have accorded top priority to attack poverty. However, the results are not quite inspiring and satisfactory. As the issues and constraints are identical, Nepal and Bangladesh can share their experiences and benefit in the campaign for eradication of poverty.
In the regional and international levels too, these two countries share commonalities. Both Nepal and Bangladesh are members of the United Nations, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Bimstec and the non-aligned movement. Nepal and Bangladesh cherish similar values and principles in the international forums. Adherence to the United Nations Charter and ideals of non-aligned movement that includes five principle of peaceful co-existence are the bases of their foreign policy.
It was Bangladesh that mooted the idea of SAARC during the reign of late President Ziaur Rahman with the objective of creating a regional forum where South Asian countries could discuss issues and share experiences to tackle the burgeoning social, economic and environmental problems collectively. Nepal instantly backed this idea followed by other South Asian countries which made the creation of SAARC possible despite initial reservation and hesitation of India. New Delhi had dubbed the idea of the SAARC as an attempt of ganging against India by the smaller South Asian countries.
Nepal has attached importance to the friendly relationship with Bangladesh. In the same way, Bangladesh has always been cooperative and friendly with Nepal. As close and friendly neighbors, the two countries have forged a relationship of mutual respect and trust, equality and cooperation. The relations between Nepal and Bangladesh had been good right from the creation of Bangladesh. However, Nepal's relations with Bangladesh improved particularly after 1975. Nepal and Bangladesh have several agreements relating to trade, transit, civil aviation, and technical cooperation.
Nepal and Bangladesh have greater potentials for cooperation in many fields. These areas have to be explored for the mutual benefit of both the countries. However, little efforts have been made towards this end. The bilateral trade is one important area that has a big potential. Bangladesh has also agreed to provide its port to be used by Nepal. But it has not been of great use despite goodwill and generosity of Bangladesh towards Nepal. It is because of the lack of free transit facilities. Nepal and Bangladesh have sought with India a few kilometers of road access from Nepal to Bangladesh. But India has not allowed the access which has hindered Nepal-Bangladesh bilateral trade.
Nepal and Bangladesh do not share common border. Yet they consider one another as close friends and friends in need. The bilateral relations between these two countries are characterized by mutual trust, goodwill and cooperation, which need to be further strengthened in the years to come.
Nepal and Bangladesh are neighbours and close friends that can share many things and cooperate with one another on various fronts. Nepal and Bangladesh possess many commonalities and also have similar experiences in nation building which can be shared by both the countries for their survival and development.
Bangladesh is a new country created only 38 years ago following a mass revolt guided by Bengali nationalism. It used to be called East Pakistan until 1971 when Bangladesh was established as an independent and sovereign country. During the British engineered partition of Indian sub-continent on religious basis, the present Bangladesh was made a part of Pakistan simply because it had overwhelming Muslim majority. But the voice for the separate Bangladesh was raised even during the time of partition. A group of individuals had rejected the ‘two-nation theory’ on the basis of which Hindustan and Pakistan were created out of the British administered united India. Some Bangladeshis had demanded more than two nations and creation of separate Bangladesh instead of being the part of Pakistan. The Bengali nationalism was so strong that they kept their flame of movement for their independent state alive which came into fruition in 1971.
Led by Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, who is revered as Bangabandhu (father of the nation), Bangladesh got independence. After the liberation succeeded to establish Bangladesh as an independent country, Seikh Mujib became the first prime minister of Bangladesh, who vowed to create democratic, secular and socialist Bangladesh. The constitution visualized parliamentary form of democracy on Westminster model based on four cardinal principles: secularism, socialism, democracy and Bengali nationalism. However, these principles were later dumped into the waste container when Mujib’s government was overthrown in a military coup in 1975. Since then, Bangladesh underwent political turbulences. The secular, democratic and socialist concepts were rejected by the military regimes.
In its 38 years of history, Bangladesh has remained under martial law most of the time. Only recently, democracy has been restored in Bangladesh and Awami League headed by Seikh Hasina Wajed, daughter of Bangabandhu Seikh Mujib, is in power winning a landslide victory in the parliamentary election held last year. The overwhelming victory of Hasina’s Awami League party is a testament that the ethos and ideology of liberation struggle still remain deep-rooted in the mind and hearts of Bangladeshi voters. The Awami League played a pivotal role in the Bangladesh liberation war and is linked it with the spirit of struggle and liberation. Prime Minister Hasina has vowed to revive the 1972 constitution and make Bangladesh a true democratic and secular country. She might face severe obstacle from the fundamentalist elements that have been patronized by some political parties in her efforts to turn Bangladesh into a secular country. However, she appears determined to do what she has promised.
Although Bangladesh is a new nation, its survival strategy and struggle for development have been quite identical to those of Nepal. Bangladesh got independence because of the determined people and their struggle for their own distinct identity. Neighbouring India had provided moral and material support to the agitating Bangladeshis in their liberation war. But its support was not guided with the intention of helping the Bangladeshis but motivated by its strategy to split and weaken its arch rival Pakistan. The vested interest of India could be seen right after the liberation of Bangladesh as New Delhi sought the dividend from the newly created Bangladesh in the form control over Bangladesh in governance, economy, security and foreign policy, which has been the main source of irritation in the bilateral relations between these two countries. India initially thought that newly created Bangladesh would be its closest ally in South Asia because of its role in the liberation war. However, India’s own policy annoyed Bangladesh and has kept itself away from Indian influence. Now India is the main external security threat to Bangladesh and its entire security strategy is to counter Indian hegemony.
Although Bangladesh is a new state compared to Nepal, it carries a long and rich history and culture. The survival strategy and security perspective of Bangladesh are so distinct and unique that Nepal has much to learn. As a small country surrounded on three sides by India, Bangladesh has several unresolved issues with India including the border dispute in some points, sharing of waters from rivers that flow down from Himalayas of Nepal to the Bay of Bengal via India. As a lower riparian state, Bangladesh has always been exploited by upper riparian India in sharing of water of these rivers. The main source of friction is the issue related to Farakka dam, which was built by India on Ganges almost close to the point where the river is to enter Bangladesh border. By building Farakka dam, India has diverted water substantially reducing the flow of water in the river that flows to Bangladesh. This has already caused negative impact on environment, economy, industry and agriculture in Bangladesh. Although Bangladesh has raised this issue in bilateral, regional and international forums, India has turned a deaf ear towards the plea and demand of the Bangladesh. India is exploiting Bangladesh in the share of water raising the rights of upper riparian country whereas it has taken just the opposite stance while dealing with Nepal on water sharing. With Nepal, India champions the cause of lower riparian state and tries to exploit Nepal. Therein lies a clear double standard and duplicity of India in relation with its neighbours. Bangladesh has sought for the involvement of Nepal in dealing with water of the Himalayan rivers in South Asia, which has been rejected by India. The other dangerous plan India has mooted is its river linking project. If it at all comes into operation, Bangladesh would be further hit and the entire Bangladesh would be in crisis of water.
This is a common problem for both Nepal and Bangladesh, as Nepal also faces problems in dealing with water resources with India. India has built several dams on several rivers close to border with Nepal without informing the Nepal government in a similar way Farakka dam was constructed on Ganges close to border with Bangladesh. This has already created serious problems of flooding and inundation in Nepal sides. While India constructed Farakka dam to divert water to India during dry season, it has constructed dams on rivers along the borders with Nepal to block the flood water.
These problems can be dealt only when Nepal and Bangladesh work together and cooperate with one another. Close cooperation and exchange of experiences would be helpful for both the countries in their fight against social and economic malaises and security related issues. Nepal and Bangladesh are small, poor and the least developed countries. Poverty has been the single biggest challenge that these countries are faced with. Almost half and in some cases more than the half of the population in both the countries are poor. In Bangladesh 47 per cent people are poor and 37 per cent are below poverty line whose earning is less than a dollar a day. Similarly, Nepal also has more than half of the population under poverty, although official statistics claim that poverty has come down to below 30 per cent. Both Nepal and Bangladesh have accorded top priority to attack poverty. However, the results are not quite inspiring and satisfactory. As the issues and constraints are identical, Nepal and Bangladesh can share their experiences and benefit in the campaign for eradication of poverty.
In the regional and international levels too, these two countries share commonalities. Both Nepal and Bangladesh are members of the United Nations, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Bimstec and the non-aligned movement. Nepal and Bangladesh cherish similar values and principles in the international forums. Adherence to the United Nations Charter and ideals of non-aligned movement that includes five principle of peaceful co-existence are the bases of their foreign policy.
It was Bangladesh that mooted the idea of SAARC during the reign of late President Ziaur Rahman with the objective of creating a regional forum where South Asian countries could discuss issues and share experiences to tackle the burgeoning social, economic and environmental problems collectively. Nepal instantly backed this idea followed by other South Asian countries which made the creation of SAARC possible despite initial reservation and hesitation of India. New Delhi had dubbed the idea of the SAARC as an attempt of ganging against India by the smaller South Asian countries.
Nepal has attached importance to the friendly relationship with Bangladesh. In the same way, Bangladesh has always been cooperative and friendly with Nepal. As close and friendly neighbors, the two countries have forged a relationship of mutual respect and trust, equality and cooperation. The relations between Nepal and Bangladesh had been good right from the creation of Bangladesh. However, Nepal's relations with Bangladesh improved particularly after 1975. Nepal and Bangladesh have several agreements relating to trade, transit, civil aviation, and technical cooperation.
Nepal and Bangladesh have greater potentials for cooperation in many fields. These areas have to be explored for the mutual benefit of both the countries. However, little efforts have been made towards this end. The bilateral trade is one important area that has a big potential. Bangladesh has also agreed to provide its port to be used by Nepal. But it has not been of great use despite goodwill and generosity of Bangladesh towards Nepal. It is because of the lack of free transit facilities. Nepal and Bangladesh have sought with India a few kilometers of road access from Nepal to Bangladesh. But India has not allowed the access which has hindered Nepal-Bangladesh bilateral trade.
Nepal and Bangladesh do not share common border. Yet they consider one another as close friends and friends in need. The bilateral relations between these two countries are characterized by mutual trust, goodwill and cooperation, which need to be further strengthened in the years to come.
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