Experts on deals with India

Ehsanul Haque Jasim :
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had come empty-handed in his maiden visit to Dhaka, but backed to Delhi getting India’s long-standing desire for transit and transshipment facilities through the Bangladesh territory, and some other facilities, said political analysts and international affairs experts.
They said that the much talked about two-day visit of the Indian Premier did not create any significant benefit for the people of Bangladesh.
The two countries signed and exchanged 22 instruments, 4 deals, 3 protocols, 14 MOUs and 1 letter of consent during Modi’s visit. But none of them can be considered for Bangladesh’s interest, they said.
Modi had a long meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her senior cabinet ministers. The regional security, India-Bangladesh war on terrorism, and to create more road and air links to boost trade and tourism between the two close neighbouring countries were discussed in the meeting and Modi realised the facilities in favour of his country.
However, the Indian PM did not discuss the Teesta Water Sharing Agreement, which is the long-standing desire of the people of Bangladesh.
Commenting on the Modi-Hasina joint declaration, a political analyst said that it was time for Bangladesh to understand the Teesta, Farakkah and Tipaimukh issues, but Bangladesh failed to do it. Modi came here empty handed, but he backed realizing India’s desires. The neighbouring country got transit facilities and transshipment to link New Delhi with India’s turbulent Northeast through Bangladesh.
“India will be doubly benefited by importing all raw materials of the projects to be set up in Bangladesh. Modi’s visit is just a break up of a sweet dream,” economist and a former adviser to the caretaker government Mirza Azizul Islam told The New Nation yesterday.
The economist said that Indian assistance of $2 billion for Bangladesh’s various projects is completely a business where India is standing on a winning position. All the accessories related to projects will be imported from India.
About coastal shipping agreement, which will provide for movement of Indian ships to various ports in Bangladesh, former Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said that India would be more benefited by this agreement.
Former adviser to the caretaker government Hossain Zillur Rahman said that it is not clear what Bangladesh will be benefited by giving transit and transshipment facilities. However, India will get benefit from using the Chhittagong and Mongla ports, he said.
India sealed a deal on lucrative power business for its companies such as the Adani Group and Reliance. Modi reportedly played the major role in pricing out power consumers belonging to low-income groups in the Indian state of Gujarat in particular.
The two countries exchanged documents of the Land Boundary Agreement to help resolve the decade-old disputes over their land boundaries. But it is true that the agreement had been signed 41 years ago.
Observers said that the visit would have been meaningful for Bangladesh if several important issues, especially the resolution of disputes over common rivers and stopping the killing of Bangladeshis across the border, would came in the agenda. Bangladesh people are disappointed for not singing the Teesta accord. Chief Minister of the West Bengal Mamata Banerjee in her last visit to Dhaka assured that Bangladeshis should have faith in her on the Teesta issue. She again visited Bangladesh with Modi, but left Dhaka without resolving the issue.