Why this matters now
Bangladesh is central to India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East policies. UPSC tests the pillars of cooperation and the irritants (Teesta, migration, border).
Foundation
The relationship is anchored in India’s decisive role in the 1971 Liberation War that created Bangladesh. Ties have generally strengthened, with a landmark resolution of the long-pending border via the Land Boundary Agreement (2015), which exchanged enclaves and settled the boundary.
Areas of cooperation
- Trade — Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia;
- Connectivity — restored rail/road/inland-waterway links, transit, and projects boosting India’s North-East;
- Energy & power — cross-border electricity trade and pipelines;
- Development & security — lines of credit, and cooperation against insurgents and terrorism.
Irritants
Outstanding issues include the pending Teesta river water-sharing agreement, illegal migration and the NRC debate, border killings, the trade imbalance, and managing the China factor (Beijing’s growing economic presence in Bangladesh).
The way forward
The priority is to sustain the positive trajectory through connectivity, trade, water cooperation and people-to-people ties, resolving Teesta and managing sensitive issues with empathy — keeping Bangladesh a model of India’s neighbourhood diplomacy.
UPSC angle
Know the 1971 foundation, the Land Boundary Agreement 2015, the cooperation pillars (trade/connectivity/energy) and the irritants (Teesta, migration/NRC, border killings, China).
Frequently asked questions
What is the foundation of India-Bangladesh relations?
India’s decisive support in the 1971 Liberation War that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
What was the Land Boundary Agreement?
The 2015 agreement that settled the India-Bangladesh boundary by exchanging enclaves and adverse possessions.
What is the Teesta issue?
A long-pending agreement on sharing the waters of the Teesta river — a key irritant in the relationship.
Why is Bangladesh important to India?
It is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia, vital for North-East connectivity, and central to the Neighbourhood First and Act East policies.