India and Bangladesh
Why the topic matters for UPSC
India‑Bangladesh relations are a cornerstone of South‑Asian geopolitics. The two neighbours share a 4,096 km porous border, a common riverine ecosystem, intertwined economies, and deep cultural‑linguistic ties. For a civil‑service aspirant, understanding this bilateral partnership is essential for answering questions on foreign policy, border management, water‑sharing, trade, security, migration, regional groupings (SAARC, BIMSTEC, IORA), and India’s “Neighbourhood First” doctrine. Moreover, the historical legacy of the 1971 Liberation War continues to shape diplomatic narratives, defence cooperation, and people‑to‑people contact—areas that frequently surface in both Pre‑lims fact‑based questions and Mains essay/GS‑II/III answer‑writing.
Constitutional / legal foundation
- India‑Bangladesh Friendship Treaty (1972) and the Indus‑Water‑Treaty‑style agreements on the Ganges (1975), Teesta (1996) and other rivers provide the legal scaffolding for water‑sharing and border management.
- Both countries are signatories to SAARC (1985), BIMSTEC (1997), IORA (2011) and the Commonwealth, which institutionalise multilateral cooperation.
Sub‑topics covered in this chapter
- Historical evolution – From pre‑1947 Bengal to the 1971 Liberation War and the role of India’s military and diplomatic support.
- Border dynamics – Length, enclaves (Chitmahals), the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement, and current challenges (illegal migration, smuggling, insurgency).
- Water diplomacy – Ganges‑Brahmaputra‑Meghna basin, the 1975 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, Teesta Accord, and emerging climate‑change pressures.
- Economic & trade linkages – Bilateral trade trends, preferential market access, connectivity projects (Banglabandha, Maitri Setu, rail‑link upgrades).
- Security & defence cooperation – Counter‑terrorism, joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and the impact of the Rohingya crisis.
- People‑to‑people contact – Cultural commonalities, language, diaspora, tourism, and educational exchanges.
- Regional and multilateral engagement – Roles in SAARC, BIMSTEC, IORA, and the impact of China’s Belt‑and‑Road Initiative on the bilateral equation.
- Contemporary issues – River‑bank erosion, flood management, COVID‑19 cooperation, and the evolving “Neighbourhood First” policy under different Indian governments.
Exam relevance
| UPSC Stage | Relevance | Typical Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑lims | Factual recall & linkage | • Year of India’s recognition of Bangladesh (1971) <br>• Key provisions of the 1972 Friendship Treaty <br>• Figures on bilateral trade or border length |
| Mains – GS‑II | International relations, regional cooperation | • Analyse the impact of the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement on India‑Bangladesh ties. <br>• Discuss water‑sharing challenges in the Ganges‑Brahmaputra basin. |
| Mains – GS‑III | Economic integration, infrastructure | • Evaluate the role of connectivity projects (e.g., Maitri Setu) in boosting bilateral trade. |
| Mains – Essay / Optional | Comparative studies, security | • “Neighbourhood First vs. Act East: India's strategic choices in South Asia.” <br>• “Border management and internal security: Lessons from India‑Bangladesh.” |
A solid grasp of these dimensions equips candidates to answer both objective and analytical questions, demonstrating the ability to link historical legacies with contemporary policy challenges—an essential skill for any civil‑service officer.
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