Against the backdrop of heavy flooding that has killed dozens and left millions more stranded on both sides of the border, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar discussed collaboration on river management with his Bangladeshi counterpart A.K. Abdul Momen.
On Sunday, during the seventh round of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) in New Delhi on Sunday, Jaishankar said, “We would [...] like to convey our support and solidarity at the unprecedented flooding that we have had in northern Bangladesh. We have also had in the north-east. We are now sharing flood management data for an extended period. I would like to take the opportunity to convey that if in any concrete way, we can be of assistance to you in the management of flood and relief efforts, we would be very glad to be supportive.”
He noted that the two countries share 54 rivers and thus have an “environmental responsibility” to work together in areas such as the Sundarbans.
Though the two countries signed the Land Boundary Agreement in 2015, they remain in dispute over the sharing of several rivers, particularly the Teesta River, which runs through the northern region of West Bengal.
In fact, New Delhi and Dhaka have been discussing the Teesta Water Sharing Treaty for over a decade, with no progress since the deal was called off following staunch opposition from West Bengal’s Chief Minister (CM), Mamata Banerjee.
The seventh round of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) was held in New Delhi on June 19, 2022. The JCC was co-chaired by Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India and Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, M.P., Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/4MQzJWI0Ue
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh (@BDMOFA) June 19, 2022
Nevertheless, both sides expressed satisfaction that despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the neighbours have “worked closer than ever before in every sector,” including national security, border management, mutually beneficial trade and investment flows, power and energy cooperation, developmental assistance, capacity building exchanges, and cultural ties.
In this regard, the EAM also conveyed New Delhi’s willingness to expand its strategic relationship with Bangladesh in the fields of food security, sustainable trade, climate change, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, start-ups, fintech, and cybersecurity.
A joint press release said both diplomats also “reiterated the importance of safe, speedy and sustainable return of the forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State to Myanmar, currently being sheltered by Bangladesh.”
Over one million Rohingya refugees, who escaped from the deadly crackdown by Myanmar’s military in 2017, are currently being housed in Bangladesh. The refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar faces severe flooding every year, endangering the lives of the residents.
In spirit of further strengthening our #ShonaliAdhyay, concluded the 7th Joint Commission Meeting with FM Dr. AK Abdul Momen of Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/Nof4GKoCIY
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 19, 2022
The latest meeting comes on the back of the recent resumption of train services between the two countries after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, a new passenger train service, Mitali Express, via the recently-restored Haldibari-Chilahati rail link, was launched on June 1.
There have also been reports in recent days of widespread protests in Bangladesh over controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad by media officials from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Demonstrators called for a boycott of Indian products and voiced their stern opposition to the Indian government. Thousands gathered around the Baitul Mukarram mosque, voicing their opposition to the Indian government and calling for a boycott of Indian products. Demonstrations were seen in Savar, Narayanganj, Pabna, Manikganj, Barishal, and Khulna, as well as Teknaf, a town bordering India.
Bangladesh has insisted that while it would not compromise “on the honour of the Prophet,” the controversy is an “external issue.” Its Information Minister, Hasan Mahmud, has said the two countries continue to maintain a “very good relationship” and praised the BJP for suspending one of the officials and expelling the other from the party.
Delhi: EAM Jaishankar extends "support and solidarity" to visiting Bangladesh FM Momen over the floods in his country; Offers assistance even as he points how Delhi has been "sharing flood management data for an extended period". pic.twitter.com/qFXNLsuK6A
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 19, 2022
In fact, despite occasional friction, the two neighbours have maintained a close relationship for years now, which, as the joint statement suggests, is due to India’s unparalleled support for Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War.
In fact, during Jaishankar’s one-day visit to Dhaka in April, the Indian EAM highlighted the importance of Bangladesh to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, to which his counterpart AK Abdul Momen replied that India is Bangladesh’s “most important neighbour,” a point which Momen reiterated during his visit to New Delhi on Sunday.
Jaishankar added, “Today Bangladesh is our largest development partner, it is our largest trade partner in the region; it is our largest visa operation overseas. And that really underlines every aspect of our cooperation. And we, in turn, are your largest export destination in Asia.”
Jaishankar and Momen also talked about the necessity of tackling trans-border crimes, progress on the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement, and the possibility of sub-regional cooperation in power generation, particularly hydropower.
This was the first in-person JCC meeting held since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous edition was held virtually in 2020. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs revealed that the 8th round of the India-Bangladesh JCC meeting will be held in Bangladesh in 2023.