China Builds Dams In Tibet, Ignores India And Bangladesh Case For Water

--Rashme Sehgal

------http://naradanews.com

As soon as India had indicated that it was planning to assert its rights within the Indus water treaty versus Pakistan, China went public with its plan to build a large dam with an investment of $740 million on Xiabuqu river close to the city of Xigaze.

Xigaze is a strategic location close to Bhutan and Sikkim and is the town from where China intends to extend its Beijing- Lhasa railway line up to Nepal.

Work on this dam started in June 2014 and will be completed by 2019. But what has not been highlighted in India is that China is planning to build 55 reservoirs on the rivers flowing from the Tibetan plateau.

Already, they have completed the Zangmu dam built on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra in 2010. Three more dams at Dagu, Jiacha and Jeixu are presently under construction while In 2015, work started on the Zam Hydropower station which will be the largest dam built on the Brahmaputra.

Another ambitious Chinese project is to build a dam on the Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) before it enters Assam.

The origins of the river are from a glacier in western Tibet close to the origins of the Indus and Sutlej rivers, all of which emanate from the holy land of Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash. Medog, which has been selected as the site of this mega project as the river, makes a huge bend inside a giant canyon which is around 198-miles-long and 3.1-miles-long. Medog incidentally is located just 30 km north of the Indian border.

The Chinese have moved the entire team which built the Lhasa-Beijing railway line to execute this mammoth project which will involve the construction of massive tunnels and reservoirs and turbines in order to generate 40,000 MW of power.

The first hint of this scheme emanated from an official Chinese newspaper in the 1990s pointing out that the Chinese wanted to exploit the spectacular 2,000-metre-drop in the river to generate electricity.

This will be constructed before the river flows into Arunachal Pradesh and the water of the Tsangpo is expected to be diverted to water the vast, arid areas of Xingjian region and the Gansu province.

Water experts insist the ministry of external affairs and the ministry of water resources must start negotiations for an international treaty on the Brahmaputra before north-east India is subjected to major water scarcity.

Dr. Chandan Mahanta, an expert on the Brahmaputra river basin who heads the Centre for Environment at IIT Guwahati, believes the ministry of water resources must set up the Brahmaputra River Valley Authority (BRVA) at the earliest.

Mahanta pointed out that with China building four dams on the Brahmaputra, it was imperative for such an organisation to undertake a comprehensive study of the Brahmaputra basin.

“There is no clarity about the nature of dams being constructed by the Chinese who claim they are building run-of-the-river dams. The Indian government is going by that assurance but the people in Assam have serious doubts about the Chinese plans,” said Mahanta.

“We need to undertake a sound scientific investigation about both the lean flows of the river and how the dam construction by the Chinese will affect the river. We feel that once the dams are in place, the Brahmaputra will become a seasonal river causing water scarcity in our region,” he said.

“Such an apprehension is being expressed by people throughout Asia who want to know just how much water the Chinese plan to divert across Asian rivers,” Mahanta said demanding that a bilateral collaborative study between the two countries will help allay these fears.

Mahanta pointed out, `No proper flood mitigation measures are in place and as a result, the excess water in the Brahmaputra is not contained in any reservoir. This is in contrast to the river Ganga which has several reservoirs being used to irrigate canals.”

India too is trying to fast-track the construction of 200 mega and small dams in the Brahmaputra basin in Arunachal Pradesh so it can lay claim to these waters as a lower riparian nation. One of its biggest hydro projects is the construction of the 800 MW Tawang 2 hydro project in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Assam government has expressed apprehension over the fallout of the construction of dams in Arunachal Pradesh. India and China have an agreement on sharing the data of the Brahmaputra water but do not have any treaty similar to India and Pakistan on the sharing of the river waters.

China has not officially communicated about the construction of the three dams, Dagu, Liacha and Jiexu on the Yarlung Tsangpo river (as the Brahmaputra is called in Tibet) to India.

In 2013, India complained to China about the hydro projects on the Brahmaputra. Union water minister Uma Bharti has expressed her reservation about these Chinese moves as she believes this can adversely affect both India and Bangladesh .

It is for this reason that the Indian government is pressuring China to set up a joint water commission or work towards having a joint water sharing treaty following an inter-governmental dialogue on this subject.

Kolkata to Chattagram Air service: Awaited route yet to open

 Video Of CM meeting about the new air route............

 

Kolkata –Dacca air service is very popular with the passengers of both nations. The proposed Kolkata to Chattgram air service will be a mile stone in passenger air service between two nations. The private aviation company Spice Jet proposed this service.

 The service will take off from December 2016. Direct service to Chattagram would open new business opportunity as well as a dimension of relationship. People used to visit Kolkta for Chattagram for various reasons. Medical, business, tourism volume will increase for Kolkata and the rest of the Bengal.

 For Chattagram, they will get a good amount of tourist from Kolkata as well as West Bengal. Spice Jet’s Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh discussed the entire proposal with Honourable CM of West Bengal with Mamta Banerjee. Banerjee has shown delightful interest in the matter. 

Hopefully the proposed route will get success and the people of Chattagram and West Bengal could enjoy the service for uninterrupted basis.
By

Arindam Chatterjee.

First cargo truck under BBIN pact reaches Delhi

[The BBIN agreement was signed on June 15 last year in Thimphu, Bhutan to facilitate cross border movement of both passengers and cargo vehicles.]

The first cargo truck under the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement for cross border movement reached here on Monday, an official statement said.

The cargo truck was dispatched from Dhaka on August 27 as part of a trial run and arrived at the Inland Customs Depot (ICD).

According to the Ministry for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the trial was organised to develop the protocols for implementing the agreement.

“The cargo vehicle reached Petrapole on August 28 and Kolkata on 29. In India it travelled for more than 1,850 km through the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi to reach the customs depot at Patparganj,” said the statement.

The truck was welcomed by Vivek Johari, Chief Commissioner Customs of Delhi.

The BBIN agreement was signed on June 15 last year in Thimphu, Bhutan to facilitate cross border movement of both passengers and cargo vehicles.

Protocols to implement the agreement are being negotiated by the four countries for passengers and cargo vehicles separately.

“The truck was issued an E-permit for the trial run through an online web based system which will help establish a customer friendly process acceptable to and recognised by all BBIN countries.

“The consignment did not undergo any customs clearance at the border. Instead, when it reached the first Indian customs station at border point Petrapole, an electronic seal with GPS tracking device was fixed on it so that the goods could be inspected for custom clearance in Delhi rather than at the border,” said the statement.

According to the ministry, the time and cost can be saved through facilitation of seamless transport through the sub-region.

“Cargo trucks earlier had to be off loaded at the border and also go through customs clearance. This led to delay and also caused damage to the goods. The steps being taken to facilitate seamless movement of cargo vehicles will give a major boost to trade and business,” said the statement.

A similar trial run of cargo vehicle from India was conducted in November last year from Kolkata to Agartala through Dhaka.

With such facilitation, the distance of more than 1,550 km from Kolkata to Agartala through Chicken’s Neck (the Siliguri corridor) will be reduced to 650 km if the truck travels through Dhaka resulting in reduction of overall transaction costs.

The truck was welcomed by Vivek Johari, Chief Commissioner Customs of Delhi.

The BBIN agreement was signed on June 15 last year in Thimphu, Bhutan to facilitate cross border movement of both passengers and cargo vehicles.

Protocols to implement the agreement are being negotiated by the four countries for passengers and cargo vehicles separately.

“The truck was issued an E-permit for the trial run through an online web based system which will help establish a customer friendly process acceptable to and recognised by all BBIN countries.

“The consignment did not undergo any customs clearance at the border. Instead, when it reached the first Indian customs station at border point Petrapole, an electronic seal with GPS tracking device was fixed on it so that the goods could be inspected for custom clearance in Delhi rather than at the border,” said the statement.

According to the ministry, the time and cost can be saved through facilitation of seamless transport through the sub-region.

“Cargo trucks earlier had to be off loaded at the border and also go through customs clearance. This led to delay and also caused damage to the goods. The steps being taken to facilitate seamless movement of cargo vehicles will give a major boost to trade and business,” said the statement.

A similar trial run of cargo vehicle from India was conducted in November last year from Kolkata to Agartala through Dhaka.

With such facilitation, the distance of more than 1,550 km from Kolkata to Agartala through Chicken’s Neck (the Siliguri corridor) will be reduced to 650 km if the truck travels through Dhaka resulting in reduction of overall transaction costs.

The truck was welcomed by Vivek Johari, Chief Commissioner Customs of Delhi.

The BBIN agreement was signed on June 15 last year in Thimphu, Bhutan to facilitate cross border movement of both passengers and cargo vehicles.

Protocols to implement the agreement are being negotiated by the four countries for passengers and cargo vehicles separately.

“The truck was issued an E-permit for the trial run through an online web based system which will help establish a customer friendly process acceptable to and recognised by all BBIN countries.

“The consignment did not undergo any customs clearance at the border. Instead, when it reached the first Indian customs station at border point Petrapole, an electronic seal with GPS tracking device was fixed on it so that the goods could be inspected for custom clearance in Delhi rather than at the border,” said the statement.

According to the ministry, the time and cost can be saved through facilitation of seamless transport through the sub-region.

“Cargo trucks earlier had to be off loaded at the border and also go through customs clearance. This led to delay and also caused damage to the goods. The steps being taken to facilitate seamless movement of cargo vehicles will give a major boost to trade and business,” said the statement.

A similar trial run of cargo vehicle from India was conducted in November last year from Kolkata to Agartala through Dhaka.

With such facilitation, the distance of more than 1,550 km from Kolkata to Agartala through Chicken’s Neck (the Siliguri corridor) will be reduced to 650 km if the truck travels through Dhaka resulting in reduction of overall transaction costs.

The Indian Express-Sep05.2016

Indo-Bangladesh ties reached new height, says Indian diplomat

[Bangladesh has taken very pro-active role in combating terrorism and India has also assured it to extend all possible help in battling the cross-border terrorism, said Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Harshavardhan Sringla.]

Relation between Bangladesh and India has now reached a new height and both the countries are now keen in sub-regional cooperation in different sectors, Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Harshavardhan Sringla has said.
“Relation between Bangladesh and India has now reached to a new height and the relation between Tripura and the neighbouring country is also very cordial,” Sringla, who is on a three-day trip to Tripura, told reporters here last night.
He said Bangladesh has taken very pro-active role in combating terrorism and India has also assured it to extend all possible help in battling the cross-border terrorism.

Sringla said Dhaka has allowed using its waterways and Ashuganj river port on Meghna, about 50 KM from here, for transshipment of iron rod and rice from Kolkata when the Assam-Agartala national highway was in bad condition and it also allowed using its roadways to bring petrol and diesel from Assam to Agartala.
“There is a responsible government in Bangladesh headed by Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister which wants to build up a very amiable bilateral relation with our country,” Sringla said.
He also met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar last evening.

“I have recently been appointed as the High Commissioner to Dhaka and as part of convention, I am visiting Tripura, he told reporters.


The Indian Express-13.9.16

Bangladesh: inhibited by domestic compulsions

Present-day Bangladesh is a severely fractured society. Deepening political polarisation and recent developments questioning the country’s secular credentials have only added to its woes. Should India be concerned?

BY Sreeradha Datta 

The Director of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies in Kolkata.

Published in- http://www.gatewayhouse.in
on

19 MAY 2016

There have been several developments in Bangladesh in recent times. Most significantly, 11 May 2016 — the day Motiur Rahman Nizami, Jamaat-e-Islami chief and erstwhile minister, was executed — will go down as a red-letter day in its history as many Bangladeshis waited 35 years to witness his execution for war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War. It was an electoral promise Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fulfilled by setting up the Bangladesh War Crimes Tribunal that has, to date, prosecuted 20 collaborators like Nizami and ordered the execution of five.

Another electoral promise Sheikh Hasina upheld was to introduce various domestic legislations, including proscribing terror groups to address terrorism and extremism in Bangladesh. As evident, given past trends, several of those engaged in terror — who also carry out violent physical attacks — enjoy linkages with Bangladesh’s largest religious political party, the Jamaat-e-Islami, or its affiliates.

Terror attacks in the last few years have taken on a scary form. Bangladesh is no stranger to political violence, but the trend of periodic attacks against certain section of individuals is unprecedented. Beginning with the killing of bloggers in 2013, to the latest attacks on a university professor, gay rights activists, and a sufi preacher within a span of a few days, it is significantly ominous. These audacious macabre killings in and around Dhaka seem to follow the hit list of over 80 writers released by a group, the Defenders of Islam, as reported by a section of the media.[1] The resolute attacks against writers, as well as authors, professors,   and activists, including foreigners—in fact, on individuals who wear their secular credentials openly—points towards a proselytized group that vociferously opposes personal liberty and the right to free speech.

Present Bangladesh characterises a severely-fractured society. The political polarisation runs deep with the two main political parties representing contrasting political hues, values, and ethos. The opposition—Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that =rose out of the barracks—has always taken a rightist position while the ruling party—the Awami League—has historically stood for liberal socialism. However  the recent developments, and the government’s seeming inability to address , raise several questions as its secular credentials.

Although there have been over 20 fatal attacks in and around Dhaka in the last two years, there has only been a handful of arrests. Apart from some routine denouncement and laying the blame on the BNP and Jamaat,  no serious measure has been taken to deter the violence.  Some members of the ruling party have even expressed cynosure against the victims—all liberal thinkers—for being “non Islamic”, rather than against the perpetrators. The real concern is actually the non action and rather muted voices against the growing menace of vigilante killings. While a section of people are scared into silence, the impudent groups enjoying the support of rogue elements appear to be emerging stronger with every attack that goes unpunished and unchallenged.

Although the Jamaat political party has been banned, its large infrastructural support and economic network remains unaffected. Arguably, ideologically religious groups have greater affinity with the BNP, recent incidents point to the Awami League attempting to cohabit with them. The presently anchorless but deeply indoctrinated Jamaat sympathisers are only too ready to be given new membership. Given the high electoral stakes, Awami is unable to risk sending this disparate but effective group into the folds of the BNP. Political exigencies have led to Awami League repositioning itself as a concession towards the religious political entities it seeks not to alienate, in recognition of the changing domestic mood. The blatant show of Islamic religious strength underscores the emergence of conservative Bangladesh. Bangladesh once showcased as a moderate Islamic country is in regressive mode. Religious appeasement is invariably prevailing upon the liberal cultural identity that had led to the vision of “sonar bangla” as an independent nation.

Ironically, while the Islamic State and Ansar al-Islam (linked to Al-Qaida) have claimed to be behind some of the attacks, the Bangladeshi government squarely denies their presence on their soil. Political a in Bangladesh cannot be delinked fromreligious identity. Given this scenario, through their use of force, the perceived followers of Islam are undeniably posing a serious threat to the nation’s identity and national security.

Yet, India-Bangladesh bilateral relations remain at an all-time high. From the signing of the comprehensive agreement in 2010, the two neighbours have only strengthened their ties, largely enabled by Bangladesh addressing India’s core security concerns. Both sides continue to reiterate “their unequivocal and uncompromising position against extremism and terrorism in all forms and manifestations….”[2], but another quiet transition seems to be underway, reflecting in the changing situation on the ground in India, specifically in West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh.

Political violence and acts of terror have visited certain quarters of West Bengal. The October 2014 blast at Khagragarh, Burdwan, yielded fresh evidence of cross-border terror groups linkages. Permeable borders have provided Islamic groups from Bangladesh with easy access  into West Bengal, encouraging a dangerous trend. The proliferation of a small arms cottage industry in the surrounding areas provides sustenance to such criminal elements. Clearly, the unofficial figure of nearly 30% of the population belonging to the Muslim community has its impact on the electoral arithmetic in West Bengal. While the growing contact between similar cross-border groups are not fully known, West Bengal is not immune to its domestic electoral compulsions and might well be turning a blind eye to a dangerously unfolding situation. Unfortunately, measures against home-grown terror elements/groups have often been perceived biased and has restricted the Indian/state/Bengal government’s actions.

A case in point is the anti-Shahbag rally held in Kolkata in March 2013. Briefly, a particular incident involving the secretary general of the Jamaat during the war crime trials led to a spontaneous popular movement in Dhaka. Connecting through the virtual world, youth and bloggers gathered at Shahbag in Kolkata to protest against the “collaborators” of the Liberation War. The Shahbag movement gained huge support overnight from a wide cross section of Bangladeshis, but was not able to sustain itself. In addition to other factors, the movement largely weakened on account of the ire it invariably invited fromreligious groups in Bangladesh. Gradually, the Islamists gained ground and launched several anti-Shahbag movements not only in Bangladesh, but also in neighbouring West Bengal. Ironically, in sharp contrast to erstwhile Bengal’s liberal political atmosphere few months prior, the request from a group of intellectuals from Kolkata to organise a peace march, to express solidarity with the Shahbag movement, was turned down.

Clearly, a section of people in Bangladesh are desperately trying to drive its political and social agenda in a particular direction. Political short sightedness prevents leaders on both sides to act decisively against such a phenomenon.  The ongoing situation in Bangladesh is fraught with dangers to both state and society, and India will not remain immune to its negative spinoffs unless it is careful.

India keen to set up a port in Bangladesh: Nitin Gadkari

LIVE MINT: New Delhi: Union shipping minister Nitin Gadkari said India is keen to develop the Pyara port in Patuakhali district of Bangladesh.
-11.4.2016 :

The external affairs ministries of both countries have already held a preliminary round of talks in this aspect, Gadkari said. A shipping ministry delegation led by a joint secretary will visit Bangladesh next week to study the site and prepare a detailed project report.

Since the government came to power, India has started focusing a lot on the port sector and by 26 May, contracts worthRs.60,000 crore would be awarded in the shipping and ports sector, Gadkari said. He was addressing media ahead of the Maritime India Summit to be held in Mumbai on 14-16 April.

The minister said 19 CEOs from top global shipping companies and 17 CEOs from India have confirmed their participation at the summit, adding he was hoping the event would see major collaborations. The minister said the summit will aim to attract potential investors to the vast opportunities in India’s maritime sector.

In 2015, Indian ports had handling capacity of 1,500 MTPA. By 2035, the capacity would be doubled with planned government investments, he said. Besides, industrial clusters will be created along the coast and fisheries promoted. He said a Port Rail Connectivity Corp. had been created with the responsibility of connecting industrial hubs to various ports by rail lines.

While answering questions, the minister said adequate measures will be taken to ensure the security of the facilities created along India’s coastline from any terrorist threats. Efforts will be also taken to see to it that the environmental concerns are addressed while development is not impeded.

West Bengal Assembly election and Tista Treaty

2016 is the year of some important the assembly elections of India. Along with Assam and Kerala, West Bengal (WB) the assembly election is a very important issue in Indian political context. But the assembly election of West Bengal (WB) 2016 is a unique dimension of an international issue. Generally a state the assembly elections in India  happen and reacts only basis of state issues. But in contemporary time WB the assembly election somehow became an issue related to Tista Treaty. Not directly, but not completely hypothetically too. We know. in the federal structure of India the state dissection is very important in a specific international issue, where the state’s interest is involved.

Before going into the analysis of geopolitical issue related to the WB the assembly election for purely an analytical purpose let’s look at the political tradition of WB. After the 1977 the assembly election Left Front government came into the power. End of a long 35 year of the regime the Trinomool Congress (TMC) came into the power in 2011. TMC governed its 5 year duration in WB. In this time from 1971 to 2016 numbers of noteworthy treaties signed between India and Bangladesh.

The Ganges water sharing treaty, Three Bigha corridor exchange, Conclave exchange treaty, Railways and Bus service and many were closely related to the Indian state of WB.

WB government always played a crucial and positive role in bilateral relation between India and Bangladesh. Former WB Chief Minister Mr. Joyti Basu took a strong stand on the issue of Ganges water sharing treaty and Three Bigha corridor exchange. Before that, in 1971 left parties took a supportive role with the refuge and displaced people of Bangladesh came into West Bengal.

From the very beginning Indian National Congress (INC) took a strong and positive role to Bangladesh. Till the time of Mukti Judho to 2014, when ex PM Dr. Monmohon Singh went to Dhaka and tried to make a sensitive solve of Tista water sharing issue. After Dr. Monmohon Sing the PM of India Narendra Modi has taken the baton and gave a great shape to the  bilateral relationship. PM Narendra Modi signed some very important treaties, including Conclave exchange.

But Tista issue is still pending. The diplomats of the both countries commented every time with a positive bias on that specific issue. Only WB CM Mamta Banerjee raised a point of objection in 2014. When Mr. Monmohon Singh went to Bangladesh Mamta Banerjee refused to visit in the last moment. She said, the interest of the WB should consider first before entering any treaty regarding Tista.

The new angle added in Tista Treaty, the “Interest of WB”. For a neutral attempt to analysis the situation, we should look at the history. History only can give an idea of the future phenomenon. History says traditionally Left parties an INC is in the favor of Tista Treaty. BJP also puts a green signal for the agreement. Only TMC had opposed the agreement in 2014. Mamata Banerjee raised the interest of the WB, specially for the Northern part of the Bengal.

Now we need to look about the basis of the concern of the “interest of WB” it is true that in the summer the WB part of the Tista River became almost dry. But in other seasons, it remains lively, particularly at the time of rain. The simple solution can be found out with the consideration of the water gravity of season to season. At that time left parties urged to table the Kalyan Rudra Committee report, but the WB government did not respond.

Till date Kalyan Rudra Committee report is not tabled. River expert Kalyan Rudra made a report on the ground reality of the water sharing of Tista and other Rivers. Left and BJP also asked to review the almost 52 rivers which are running both in India and Bangladesh. Now look at the political compulsion of TMC in North Bengal.

Traditionally left parties have a good vote bank in the hilly area of WB and INC has supporters in plan part of the Northern part of the WB. 2011 onwards TMC gains some amount of foot step in that place. But it is not significant right now. Politics of Hill are volatile from the very beginning. It can be assumed that the stand against Tista Treaty in 2014 not only for the vote bank.

 TMC opposed the Tista Treaty, but till date has not given any other solution or proposal to make the treaty effective. But surprisingly, some political analyst is much hopeful that in the second phase of TMC government will execute or take a positive stand for the Tista Treaty.

There is another question which is very important for a geopolitical analyst that, what will change in the second phase of the TMC led WB government? In which they would raise their hand In support of Tista Treaty?

 For an attempt to analytically the situation neutrally, we should look at the history. History only can give an idea of the future phenomenon. In 2014, Mamata Banerjee denied to visit Bangladesh with Dr. Monmohon Singh. She raised the question of interest of the WB, especially for the Northern part of the WB.

At that time left parties urged to table the Kalyan Rudra Committee report, but the WB government did not respond. Till date Kalyan Rudra Committee report is not tabled. River expert Kalyan Rudra made a report on the ground reality of the water sharing of Tista and other Rivers. Left and BJP also asked to review the almost 52 rivers which are running both in India and Bangladesh. Congress Government in 2014 already has taken an effort to solve this problem. Left front was also ideologically support Tista Treaty.

Traditionally Congress and Left have good vote bank in Northern part of the WB, it would be easier to make a positive environment for the agreement. There is another question which is very important for a geopolitical analyst that, what will change in the second phase of the TMC lead WB government? For which they would raise their hand In support of Tista Treaty?

In general condition there is no practical change, which will push second phase of TMC government to support Tista Treaty in same condition. Only hope is that, CM of WB shares a great relation with Bangladesh. But only great relation is not enough to wipe out the recent history on the particular matter.

In other hand If the regime change in WB still there is no confirmation that the Tista Treaty will work out with foremost efficiently. But chances are in higher side. Some time people make a common mistake. They try to analyze the only the stand of India government. If we only look at the Indian government and try to analyze the matter basis of the central government of India’s point of view, then we will fail to get the complete perception on the specific matter Accordingly, Indian constitution only central government couldn’t take this type of decision without consulting the particular state government.

 Finally we can say that, Success of Tista Treaty is closely linked to the 2016 election of WB without being an issue of the vote. But at least in contemporary point of time it is impossible to assume time duration. But it is expected that Bangladesh government will put all its effort to table Tista Treaty before the general election of Bangladesh.

We hope the geopolitical relation between India and Bangladesh became more vibrant, ever before and the issue of the Tista will solve with consideration of all interest and more and more discussion is the only way to solve it.

Arindam Chatterjee & Sandip Mukeherjee

The journey begins: Power, Internet and Satellite

It is the festival of color, as Rabindranath Tagore said Basanta Utsab largely known as Holi. Holi is the festival of color. It is the festival of exchanging love and brotherhood one man to another man. Holi is a symbol of friendship irrespective of race, religion or class.

When the people of India and Bangladesh are celebrating Basanta Utsav then the historic and the very important journey begins between two nations. PM of both nations inaugurates the 100 megawatt power bandwidth.

Via Tripura, India will export the power to Bangladesh. The affectivity of the treaty discussed much before in http://indobanglarelation.blogspot.in In the article “Power trading between India and Bangladesh: A sunrise we have discussed the matter in detail

We stated how this treaty will help the infrastructure of Bangladesh. We know how power is important to develop the industry as well as economy. Also Tripura will get a  internet bandwidth from Bangladesh. It is also a very important for Tripura and surrounding area.

From the very beginning of this blog we are advocating more and more economic and business relation between two nations. We strongly believe that economic relation is the height powerful effort to take the bilateral relation between India and Bangladesh.

India is a prominent nation in the field of space research. PM Modi said India will extend its support in Bangabandhu Satellite, the ambitious project of Bangladesh. This could be another dimension of brotherhood in space between two neighboring countries.

From http://indobanglarelation.blogspot.in ,we congratulate all the people of both countries. We hope more positive steps between two neighboring countries in the coming days.

Arindam Chatterjee.

200 cores USD funding from India : booster Basic infra booster of Bangladesh

The funding of 200 cores USD by India will significantly boost the basic infrastructure and social - economic environment of Bangladesh. As per the conditions Bangladesh can use majority this fund to develop the telecom and IT infrastructure, power and railways.

In last two sectors, India already invested its support to the nearing country. Telecom and IT are another sector which has ample opportunities to develop. In the business of IT India is a giant provider in the world.

Waterways, education and economic zone development are also should some major issues where the fund will be invested.

When Indian PM Mr. Modi visited Bangladesh in 2015, he promised for that hefty loan to the Bangladesh government.  In previous years India provided one billion dollar loan against one percent interest per year. The interest will be same for this time also.

This is the largest loan amount which India provided to any other country. Bangladesh authority said that they almost completed the projects of the previous loan and they hopeful that this loan amount will help them to turn the sectors to a new dimension.

The repayment time span is 20 years. Not only it is a symbol of bilateral relation of two nearing countries. This loan agreement will open a new business avenue of the both country. In one side Bangladesh will get boost in the economic growth as well as India will get a business opportunity in Bangladesh.

As per the treaty 75 percent of Indian products and service will be used in new projects by the loan amount given by India. Indian companies will get a bigger opportunity by that.

Not only between India and Bangladesh this agreement will create a complete new business opportunity to the entire zone. In the regional business point of view this agreement is going to be the most important agreement between two nations.

Arindam Chatterjee

 

Bangladesh may drop Islam as country's official religion following attacks on minorities

Times Of India Report-Mar 6, 2016.
By
Harriet Sinclair | The Independent

Islam could be dropped as Bangladesh's official religion following a number of attacks in the country against people of other faiths.

Christians, Hindus and Muslim minority Shiites have recently faced attacks that are believed to have been carried out by Islamic extremists. The country's Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments in favor of removing Islam as the official religion of Bangladesh, the Daily Mail reported. Islam has been the country's official religion since 1988, but the battle to overturn this - which is being supported by many minority religious leaders - will argue that the decision to designate Islam the official religion was illegal.

However it is unclear how much widespread the support the move would have in the country, where 90% of the population is Muslim, 8% are Hindu and 2% is made up of other minority religions.

In the past month, a Hindu priest was hacked to death at an attack at a temple in Bangladesh's Panchgarh district in which two Hindu followers were also injured, while in the past year several prominent religious minority bloggers have been murdered.

Islamist groups Jumatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh and Ansarullah Bangla Team are believed to have carried out at least seven attacks on foreign and minority people in Bangladesh in the past year, and although the government denies there is an ISIS presence in the country, it is believed members are increasingly being recruited from there.

 News link-

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Bangladesh-may-drop-Islam-as-countrys-official-religion-following-attacks-on-minorities/articleshow/51275715.cms?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=TOI

Light of Hope: Power Plant at Khunla by Indian company BHEL

One can understand by this data that how much power is important for Bangladesh. As per media report, the 2/5 population of 16 cores total don’t get the facility of power.

It is major break through by an Indian company to produce power in the land of Bangladesh. Indian Public sector company BHEL is going to pen a treaty for producing power in nearing country.

At Khulna in Bangladesh the Indian company will kick of the project just after the agreement exchange date, 28 Feb,2016. After the visit of Indian PM to Bangladesh many new avenue opened in bilateral relation.

Land boundary agreement, Power transition, Nepal-India rail ways via Bangladesh, BBIN etc. are a very balanced agreement for both the country. Numbers of companies of various countries participated in the tender process. Finally with close competition with Harbin Electrical of China the Indian company BHEL got the order.

Power is most essential element for the countries toward high speed development. BHEL will execute 2 power plant of 660 MW each casting 160 corers Pound. This power plant can change the economic and social position of Khulna.

Already Khulna is an important part of Bangladesh’s industry. Numbers of companies are operating at same place. The demand of power is much over there. It will not only fulfill the demand but it will also create more industrialization on at Khulna district. Due to this project more employment will come up at the district.

There is much opportunity of industry served by Port Mongla. Port Mongla is strategically very important for India. China is already started penetrating focus to the Port Mongla.

But some of local and international organizations are protesting against the power plant due to environmental issues. But government of Bangladesh already assured that they have take steps to control the environmental problems.

In practical analysis, it is clear that this power plant will set a very positive impact on Khulna as well as Bangladesh’s economy and with all aspect it is an appreciated event of bilateral relationship of India and Bangladesh.        

A.C

India – Bangladesh-Nepal rail transit

It is a symphony of Himalaya and Bay of Bengal. India and Nepal have signed the long-stalled letters of exchange (LoEs).  India has  has agreed to provide transit facilities for Nepal through the Visakhapatnam port along with the signing of LoE called ‘Operationalisation of Visakhapatnam Port’. Henceforth, Nepal will be able to use Visakhapatnam Port as another gateway for third-country trade like the Kolkata Port.

In other hand Transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbitta-Banglabandha is al so very important for Bangladesh. It will increase the the business opportunity for Bangladesh also.

The distance between Kakarvitta Land Customs Station (LCS) in Nepal and Banglabandha LCS of Bangladesh is around 54 km. The Siliguri Corridor of India is situated in between the two LCSs.

The Kakarvitta point has Panitanki LCS on the Indian side, while it is Phulbari on the Indian side of the Banglabandha LCS.

The railway transit will help connect Birgunj and Biratnagar (Jogbani) in Nepal with Bangladesh via the Singhabad-Rohanpur interchange point, which is the nearest and most economical route.

Operationalisation of Vishakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh and for rail transport to and from Vishakhapatnam would also help Nepal boost its trade with third countries.

The rail distance between Birgunj and Dhaka is over 950 km, while from Biratnagar it is 535 km. The distance between Birgunj and Chittagong, a major port in Bangladesh, is 1,148 km, while from Biratnagar it is 843 km.
The rail distance between Birgunj to Kolkata is 700 km, while to Haldia in West Bengal it is over 800 km. Likewise, the rail distance from Biratnagar to Kolkata is 600 km and to Haldia it is 708 km.

‘Rail Transit Facility Through Singabad for Nepal’s Trade With and Through Bangladesh’ is not oly hel Nepal ,it will help Bangladesh too. Thins opportunity emerged when Indian PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina singed treaty to give the land to use for business purpose to the third country.

LoE on ‘Rail Transit Facility Through Singabad for Nepal’s Trade With and Through Bangladesh’ will help operationalise rail transit facility through Singabad in India for Nepal’s trade with and through Bangladesh.

in transit to and from Nepal and Bangladesh shall move through Indian territory by rail using Singabad Railway Station (Malda,West Bengal, India) and Rohanpur Railway Station in Bangladesh.

It is hoped that that the area of Singbad, (Malda,West Bengal, India) will get a boost both economically and socially. There is an opportunity of Singbad to emerge as a different kind of economic hub.

Construction of the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at the border points is highly need in near future. Indian PM Narendra Modi also stated the significance of ICP.


But security is an important point for the three nations. All there nation hopefully already thought some strong plan regarding that. But in all aspect it is clear that this transit will open a new era for Indo-Bangla- Napel relation.

Arindam Chatterjee

Waterways is the way to next level economic relation

Ports connectivity with Bangladesh could be the crucial for bilateral relationship of both countries. India and Bangladesh should work on that with best attention. Waterways could be the next game changer between the two nations.

On June 6, 2015 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka, India and Bangladesh inked the agreement on Coastal Shipping for two-way trade through ports. But it was not a new treaty that inked first time between the nations.

It we look1972 Protocol on Inland Waterways Transit and Trade (PIWTT)  then we will find that , the effort started years before that. The new agreement is actually a renewal of the 972 Protocol on Inland Waterways Transit and Trade.

Waterways for commerce are a significant move for the region. Both the countries will get numbers of benefit from that. When co-relation is the only success trick or international business than the implementation of the waterways agreement is beneficial for both the countries.

In Bangladesh side Chittagong and Mongla ports and Kolkata and Haldia in side of India will serve unique commercial benefit for the business. Most impotently, we should remember the four ports are exclusively located river Ganga. 

Indian business will get an easier way to reach Tripura, Assam and Meghaloya. In other hand Bangladesnh will also get transit through India into Nepal and Bhutan. And this could open new avenues for Bangladeshi business houses. In this regard construction Feni bridge is very important step. This will connect a great roadways facility to Chitagang port. Agartala-Akhaura railway link is another important step ahead.

This also will add the edge of connectivity between SAARC countries. Both the countries welcome the effort about waterways. Business fraternities of two nations are expecting the execution of the agreement sooner than later. 

Arindam Chatterjee

12th South Asian Games should be the playground of Friendship

South Asian Games(SA) 2016 is going to organize in Gowahati and Silong of India. Game is always helps to create a friendly relation between countries. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will participate in the tournament.

It is a place for every country to police the relationship with each other. It is an opportunity for the nations to build a bridge of friendship via SA. Every country should realize that the bonding between South Asian countries is much important peace and progress of the region.

Game is the only why where an amiable relationship can be made easily. Not only the geopolitical part the exchange but the information regarding sports and fitness will help to develop the countries own sports infrastructure.

“Ei Prithibi Ek Krirangan"which literally translates to "The world is a playground" by Dr. Bhupen Hazaria is the correct them song selected by the organizer. It reflects that games can turn the political environment negative to positive.

The Games is not only the played in ground it impact positively on the cultural relation only. Every players carries the flag of his or her country,s culture. It is a field of cultural exchange too.

We wish a grand success of 12th  South Asian Games in behalf of ‘indobanglarelation.blogspot.in’

A.C

Agaortala and Akhaura Rail link and BBIN agreement could be the game changer

Rail link between Agaortala and Akhaura junction in Bangladesh and the Bhutan-Bangladesh-India-Nepal motor vehicles agreement could be the real economic boost for the region.

Agaortala and Akhaura rail project is a much essential for the economic growth of the Agartala and Bangladesh. It is not only for Agartala in point of view of India it will help the entire region of Assam and Tripura.

In other hand Bangladesh economy also get a boost due to essay transportation of passenger as well as goods.

As per the news Dhaka already acquired the land required for the rail line. India is also working rapidly.

BBIN is also a real game changer. European countries enjoy more facility like that. It was much helpful for the economic development. It is true that the condition of Asian geopolitics is completely different but agreement like BBIN is a step ached of the regional friendship and true economic growth.


This will reduce the existing 1500 km distance and significantly increase the business volume. Not only that the planning to make the Broad-gauge line up to Agartala by Indian government is also an important step in this regard.

A.C 

Power Trading between India and Bangladesh: A sunrise

Economic ties are the most vibrant walk of bilateral relationship. It is significant in a large amount between neighboring countries. India and Bangladesh shares a rich cultural exchange from very beginning. But  now both the countries needs economic ties the take the friendly relationship to the next possible level.

A free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Bangladesh is under consideration. For the superior relationship approach to the bilateral cooperation could be FTA along with border based trade liberalization policy. Existing bilateral treaty SAFTA can be made more effective.

In other hand Bangladesh should seriously work on the policies regarding the tariff on imported goods from India. It needs to arrest any type of customs corruption in the border of both sides.

Another issue is to stop informal and illegal activities in borders. As per media news both the countries started a strong vigilance on that ground. Hopefully it will show the positive effect in business volume. The strong vigilance process should maintain in a sustain manner. 

  

Power trading between to nations could be the one step forward to the next level of friendly relationship. Power is the most essential element of economic growth. It is indispensable for growing economy like Bangladesh. In this case India performed its duty perfectly as a neighbor.  

Power is an important issue not less than Tista. Tista is much discussed for the added sentimental value, but power supply is more economy friendly matter, which have immediate effect on civilian life of Bangladesh.

Tripura Power Company will initially supply 100 MW power daily. The tariff is also market competitive. There is also opportunity to supply more electricity to Bangladesh. Assam can be the place from where India can supply electricity to the neighboring Bangladesh. As per news report that NTPC already showed interests to supply power from Assam power plant.

As per news report 65-km (18 km in India and 47 km in Bangladesh) cross-border transmission facility is ready. We can end with a positive hope for coming days. Beginning of Power supply should be the kick off, hope more ties yet to come.

A.C

Cultural exchange should began from School level students

Cultural exchange program between neighboring nations is a very significant part of geopolitics. To maintain the peace in the area and create a positive environment, the exchange programs are every effective. India and Bangladesh have very rich and healthy cultural relation. Undoubtedly it helped a lot to maintain the good relationship and prosperity.

But if we analysis very closely then we will able to find that the cultural and the other exchange program are confined between some specific age group and particularly the age group is not young enough. Though both the country send Drama groups , dancers, singers and other cultural wings to perform each other’s stage but still the young mass is missing.

We can take a simple example, how many School students know about Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, how many Indian school students have Bangladeshi friend. In these days, when social media became intrigued part of at least city life then it could be done easily.

In the other hand if we analysis about the general students of Bangladesh ,who stay in Dhaka, Cottogram, Khunla, Faridpure or Rajshahi or any other place haven’t good knowledge about Indian or Indian culture.

A perception is there by watching Television serials and movies but these serials not enough to let them understand about India, Indian people and its culture.

Why needs young???

Young minds are innovative and emotional. If we look at the contemporary global prospective then we will find the most positive things and the most negative things had done by young people.

It starts from school level. And the school level cultural exchange programs can create a step ahead positive environment for the nations. Recently a very positive effort has been taken by Cricket Association of Bengal to arrange a cricket tournament between under 15 students of Bangladesh and West Bengal.

The yearly visit of college and university students in India is also a great effort. But the cultural exchange should start from bottom not from the top. The particular points is that, it is not enough to arrange some concerts of reputed artists in closed door auditorium. A friendship should be build among the general people, and it is best to start from School students.

Bangladeshi students in India

Numbers of Bangladeshi students stay in India for education purpose. As foreigner they faced problems like getting a house for s rent, part time work and many more. Administration should make a clear cut policy for the general requirements for foreign students to address their problems in day to day life. This could be a very positive message to the neighboring countries.

After all the point is that the cultural exchange program should start from grass root level, which means the School level. And the result will come faster than later.      

A.Chatterjee

When tune cries…………..

The house of Sitar maestro Ustad Allauddin Khan was ransacked at Bramhabberia in Bangladesh by a fanatic mob. Reports said they were students and they were protesting the killing of another student in a conflict. Pandit Hariprasad Chourasiya reacted in pain. Ustad Rasid Khan, Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar and others also expressed deep concern. The poem is in protest of  every brutality against the culture.

 

When tune cries…………..

Melody makes the race happy

Sometimes tune makes us cry

When tune cries, blood moist the soil

The black cloud covers the sky

They didn’t know, what they were doing

Tune cried

They devastated Bamiyam Buddha

They didn’t realise……

Tune cried

They ransacked Ustad Allauddin’s memory

They didn’t understand….

They fired the rhythms, the did tear the strings

Tune cried

Pawns came, the ring masters were in cover

The melancholy tune came

The flute shouted in pain

The pain will turn revolutionary soon

When tune cries protest arises

Tune cried

It’s the time to turn around.

---Arindam Chatterjee

Extradition treaty is a new dimension of Indo-Bangla relation

In recent history the new extradition process has given a glitter to the relationship of two neighboring country India and Bangladesh. It was started with Mr. Anup Chetia, the Ulfa leader and Nur Hossian the accused of  7 Murder case in Bangladesh.

In next phase Bangladesh government has decided to hand over Daud Marchent, ally of Daud Ibrahim. Bangladesh’s media published the news by referring the Home minister Mr.Asadujjaman Khan’s statement.

Daud Marchent allies Abdul Rauf Daud allies Rauf Raja is serving life sentence. He is convicted for Bollywood music baron Gulson Kumar 

Extradition treaty is very important for the both country. It is a very popular process of the criminals of both the country to escape neighboring county for shelter. Not only that, as per the media reports form both side, criminals try to operate their activities by outside.

It is also effective for both the country to solve their internal problems. In the case of Ulfa peace process Mr. Anup Chetia’s extradition has turned very crucial step. Through Mr. Chetia Indian government can pursue the peace process in effective manner than never before.

The Indian investigators can earn a good amount of information about the most wanted Daud Ibrahim vai   Daud Marchent allies Abdul Rauf Daud allies Rauf Raja. This information could be highly effective for internal security of India.

 Extradition treaty was an awaited step for the both country. It will help to maintain the peace and control the crime in South East Asia. It is a great example of positive political will power for both the nation.

Mr. Asadujjaman Khan said discussion going on for more extradition between two nations, which need to be appreciated.

A.C