DHAKA: Indian Parliament ratifying the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) is a major milestone in good neighborly relations of the two countries. It was one of the major irritants that sourced the relation and was impeding multitude of mutual trade, investment, and other relationship among the two major South Asian Neighbors. Bangladesh founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and great Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi signed the protocol in 1974, Bangladesh parliament immediately ratified it.

But it took 41 long years for India to ratify this in their parliament. It is not that India did not want it. But this required India to amend its constitution. Ruling government never had two third majorities in the parliament to approve the bill. It is a historic event that this time LBA bill was unanimously approved. The disputed land boundary will now be demarcated; the people living in enclaves will now have legal citizenship in one country or the other. They will start enjoying all rights and privileges of citizens of independent countries. Settlement of land border dispute and exchange of enclaves will open the door for major areas of partnership and win-win agreements which are so important for lasting peace and sustained economic growth of the region.

It is also a healthy sign that the leaders of large opposition party of Bangladesh has also welcomed this event and congratulated Indian Government for this. Possibly they now realize after so many years that Mujib-Indira historic deal was not a document of subjugation. It was for mutual benefit of both the countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Bangladesh on 6- 7 June 2015 when few other milestone agreements and MoUs may be signed. If we go by records of events, immediate past Congress Government initiated the process and advanced LBA and Teesta River Water sharing Agreement. But for strong opposition of the then opposition parties in the parliament including Modi’s BJP that initiative failed short of success. This time Modi has taken all on board and he is expecting to resolve Teesta water sharing agreement outstanding formalities very soon.

The countries of South Asia mainly India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and if we include Myanmar have so many things to share, jointly develop natural resources and share for benefits of all. People of this region, professionals and experts have identified so many areas of mutual collaborations. Only t for political mistrusts and lack of political commitments all remained in suspended animation. Present Indian Prime Minister understood that India to advance as strong economic super power has to have good neighborly economic relations with its next door neighbors. The positive resolution of LBA between Bangladesh and India is a major change of the course of history which may soon witness launching of many agreements about mutual collaborations.

Immediate Impacts of LBA:

The LBA will facilitate final agreement on already demarcated land boundary, exchange of enclaves, citizens choosing their preferred nationality. People with get identity, voting rights, a national flag a country to take pride of. The identified land border will facilitate illegal movement of men and materials across border. If two countries can reflect their good neighborly attitudes illegal human trafficking, smuggling, illegal trades can be stopped. The hide outs of criminals and terrorists can be located and demolished. India will also realize that barbed wire fencing is not the right barricade between two friendly nations.



South Asian Energy & Power Grid:

All the countries of South Asia have power deficit to fuel sustainable economic growth. But countries of the region are very rich in primary fuel endowment. There is no dearth of technical expertise as well. Not to speak of fossil fuel resources , only the hydropower resources of Myanmar, India , Nepal and Bhutan if jointly developed and shared through regional power grid the region can not only become self-sustaining in power generation but can also export to adjacent areas.

Power trading is already going in limited scale between India-Nepal, India-Bhutan and India-Bangladesh. In the last SAARC summit a framework agreement has been signed for developing SAARC power grid. There have been talks in BIMSTEC as well for power and energy trade. Myanmar huge potential energy resources may also contribute enormously in energy security of this region. We hope that regulatory reforms, pricing, investment, operation modalities of power and energy grid and resources development will soon be resolved.

Maritime Boundary Dispute Resolution:

The positive resolutions of Maritime Boundary disputes among India Bangladesh and Myanmar are other major development of the region. Countries can now independently harness extensive maritime resources like primary energy (oil and gas, fish and aquatics resources etc). If some resources are overlapping, these can still be developed through Joint Development agreement. Countries can share their technical expertise; join hands in hand in developing resources.

Using Port Facilities, Road, Railway Connectivity:

Bangladesh is constructing Padma Multipurpose River Bridge with railway facilities. This will connect Chittagong Port with Mongla port and under development Payra Port. Countries of region India, Nepal, Bhutan and even China and Myanmar can be benefitted using the port facilities of Bangladesh. If carefully planned Bangladesh can turn into the development hub of the region within a decade.

Require Peace and Political Stability:

For all these to happen it is essential to have sustained political stability and peace. Countries of the region must fight together against terrorism and anarchy. The principle of noninterference in internal affairs and helping growth of functional democracy, practicing human rights are the key. SAARC forum must be further strengthened and functionally effective. This region does not need any major support from outside for any matter like technical expertise, managerial support, finance and investment. Developed world is waiting eagerly for participating in any economic activities in the region.

LBA ratification is the beginning of the long walk on the path of development. Sky is the limit for the region.

BDST: 1250 HRS, MAY 14, 2015
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