India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh establish contact as more KukiChin refugees are expected to enter Mizoram.

Many KukiChin members entered Mizoram on November 27, taking the total number of refugees to 293 so far.
The members of the community from the Chittagong Hill Tract Area in Bangladesh fled the country after the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) began a crackdown against the Kuki-Chin fighters, an armed wing of the Kuki-Chin National Front.

Political relations:
India was the first country to recognise Bangladesh as a separate and independent state and established diplomatic relations with the country immediately after its independence in December 1971.
Bilateral trade:

In 2020, India exported $7.91 billion to Bangladesh. The main products that India exports to Bangladesh are raw cotton, Non-Retail Pure Cotton Yarn, and electricity.
In 2020, Bangladesh exported $1.01 billion to India. Bangladesh’s main products exported to India were other pure vegetable oils, Non-Knit Men’s suits, and textile scraps.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):

India invested over $570 million in Bangladesh.
According to the Bangladesh Industries Minister, Bangladesh will likely see foreign direct investment (FDI) from India touch $9 billion in the near future.
Connectivity projects:

Currently, three express trains and international bus services operate between both countries.
The new passenger service, Mitali Express, was launched recently.
Bangladesh has expressed its interest in joining the India-Myanmar Thailand highway project.
Defence:

The Defence Cooperation Framework (DCF) pact involves military equipment and technology transfer.
SAMPRITI is a joint military exercise.
Multilateral organisations:
Both are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) Initiative, and the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
River water sharing:
The Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Teesta are the significant rivers shared between both countries.
Educational relations:

The Indian prime minister announced the “Swarna Jayanti Scholarship” for the youth of Bangladesh in 2021.
India shares its National Knowledge Network with Bangladesh.
Boundary agreement:
In 2015, both countries resolved the decadeslong border dispute through the Land Swap Agreement.

Chinese interest:
China stepped in and offered $1 billion to Bangladesh for an irrigation project on the Teesta river.
Rohingya issue:
Due to the presence of Rohingya groups in Bangladesh, their illegal migration to India poses a threat.
Smuggling:
There are frequent incidents of cattle smuggling as well as human trafficking and drug networks along the border.
Teesta River Issue:
The water sharing issue has not been solved, hurting India and Bangladesh’s food security and farmer welfare.

Content Source: The Hindu