India played an important role in the firth of Bangladesh as

an independent nation in 1971. The foundation of deep and

close India-Bangladesh relations was laid down by the three
agreements signed by them during the visit of Indian Prime
Minister to Dhaka in March 1972.
The first was the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation which affirmed the principles of
Panchsheel as the guiding principle between the two.
The second was the trade and commerce agreement which among other things provided for
the freedom of trade to the people living areas up to 16 km from the boundary.
The third was the agreement on the cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Also India promised to provide an assistance of Rs. 25 crore
for the reconstruction of Bangladesh. In 1974, both agreed
to demarcate their boundary as India handed over two
small enclaves Dahagram and Angorpota to Bangladesh
and, in return got possession of area of Berubari. This
exchange of territory was need for administrative and
transportation convenience. It should be noted that there
are still small enclaves on the boundary, which are to be
demarketed and exchanged for the sake of convenience of
both. In 2011, both countries have agreed to start this
process again.
7 Main Areas of Concern
1. Ganga Water Agreement
The distribution of Ganga water has been the main concent
between the two countries. The problem arose in 1975 when
India decided to construct Farakka dan on river Ganga to
divert its water to river Hoogly to improve the navigability
of Calcutta harbour. Bangladesh objected to Indian project
on the ground of not getting due share in the water of
Ganga. The problem of distribution of Ganga water was
resolved by two agreements signed in 1977 and 1996.
The first agreement was known as Farakka Agreement was
concluded in 1977. Under the Agreement, India will get
40000 cusec of water, while Bangladesh would get 34000
cusec of Ganga Water. In the lean season, the share of India
would be reduced to 28000 cusec. Since Bangladesh
violated some conditions of this agreement, it came to be
suspended in 1982. However, both parties continued with
the adhoc arrangement till 1996, when new Ganga water
agreement signed between the two countries.
The 1996 agreement makes a realistic assessment of
availability of water in Ganga. The main provisions of the
agreement are
1. If the availability of water in Ganga is less than 70000 cusec of water, both countries will
share equal amount of water.
2. If the availability of water between 70000 and 75000 cusec Bangladesh share would be
35000 and India would get the rest of the water.
3. If the availability of water is more than 75000 cusec, India would get 40000 cusec of water
and rest of water will go to Bangladesh.
The Ganga water agreement shall be in force for the period
fo 30 years. It is one of the major achievements in resolving
bilateral issues though mutual consultation, for a better
India-Bangladesh relations. Both countries have decided to
continue negotiation to develop understanding with respect
to use of water in other rivers.
2. Chakma Refugees
Chakma are the Buddhists living in Chittagong hill tract of
Bangladesh. In order to avoid discrimation and prosecution
in Bangladesh, they have been coming to Indian State of
Tripura. India has requested Bangladesh to take back these
refugees, but the response has not been encouraging.
Finally, two countries sign and agreement in 1997, by which
Bangladesh has agreed to take back all 50000 Chakma
refugees. By now all Chakma refugees have been taken back
by Bangladesh.
3. Barbed Wire Fencing in the
Border
India and Bangaldesh share a border of 3200 km, which is
not properly guarded on all places. In order to check the
infiltration of illegal immigrants, India decided to fix
barbed wire fencing along the entire border, which was
objected to by Bangladesh. However, India continued with
fencing, which is now complete.
4. Teen Bigha Corridor
Teen Bigha is a 178 meter long and 85 meter wide corridor
along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Bangladesh demanded it
because it facilitates the movement between two areas of
Bengladesh lying on both side of this corridor. India
decided to hand over this corridor to Bengladesh in 1992 on
the basis of perpetual lease, but India will retain sovereignty
over this corridor and Indian citizen will have freedom of
movement in this corridor. The transfer of this corridor
fulfils longstanding demand of Bengladesh.
5. Sanctuary of India Ultra
Elements
Some ultra elements and members of outlawed
organizations active in North-East parts of India have found
safe sanctuary in Bengladesh. India has been insisting of
handing over such elements due to security reasons. But
successive Bangladeshi governments have not obliged
India. However, when Awami League came to power, India
raised this issue. Consequently, the present government
handed over in 2009 some of the top ULFA activists, who
found safe sanctuary in Bangladesh. This has helped in the
improvement of India-Bangladesh relations.
6. Development Partnership
Bangladesh is one of the four Least Developed Countries
(LDCs) of South Asia. Besides extending all benefits and
concessions given by India to all LDCx, India has been a
dominant partner in the development of Bengladesh. Both
started Dhaka-Kolkata rail service named as Maitry
Express in 2008 after a gap of 43 years.
7. Recent High Level Visits
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India in
January 2010 and the two countries signed five agreement
including cooperation on drug trafficking and criminal
matters. ULFA terrorists were handed over to India
subsequent to this agreeemtn. Indian PM Manmohan Singh
visited Bangladesh in September 2011 and both countries
signed a framework agreement on development cooperation
and another agreement on the exchange of enclaves and
emarcation of remaining patch of boundary.