| Syllabus: GS-II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India and its neighborhood, Issue: India-Bangladesh relations |
Context: India Out” campaign in Bangladesh
India’s importance for Bangladesh:
- Proximity and transportation links contribute to India’s trade advantage with Bangladesh.
- In 2021-22, India was the second-largest import source for Bangladesh, totaling $13.69 billion.
- Textile industry supply chain dominates India’s exports to Bangladesh.
- Other key exports include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery.
- India exported 50,000 tons of onion to Bangladesh in 2023, despite an export ban.
- India supplies construction materials and transportation vehicles to aid Bangladesh’s infrastructure development.
- Indian Government’s Line of Credit has contributed to improving transportation and office capacity in Bangladesh.
The way ahead:
- An “India Out” campaign in Bangladesh threatens economic cooperation between the two countries.
- Both governments need to build trust through citizen exchanges and media cooperation.
- Easier visas would also help maintain the India-Bangladesh partnership.
