Liberation and after

INDIA-BANGLADESH RELATIONS: Rekha Saha; Minerva Associates, 7B, Lake Place, Kolkata-700029. Rs. 250.

INDIA'S RELATIONS with her neighbours have been determined by the legacy of history, geography and the events and inputs from regional and international environment. The relationship between India and Bangladesh is decided, apart from what has been said above, on a few more very serious factors. They were one country for centuries and the Partition was forced on them in 1947, by the Raj on the basis of religion. The bilateral relationship between these two countries is largely conditioned by the Partition of Bengal into West Bengal (India) and East Pakistan (Bangladesh) in 1947. The second important factor is that India shares its border with Bangladesh for more than 2500 miles and at least 600 miles out of it, was not clearly demarcated. The Radcliffe Award of 1947 and the Algot Bagge Tribunal were connected with the Indo-Bangladesh border dispute. India had to get involved in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh on ideological as well as on geopolitical reasons. It was also not wrong to say that India was supporting Bangladesh against Pakistan, because Pakistan was not a friendly country to India, and was to a certain extent an enemy. Kautilya, while discussing the ``Rajamandala'', would say that ``enemy's enemy is a friend'' (``Arimithra mithra'') and it was one of the cardinal principles of foreign policy and balance of power, that ``Arimithra mithra'' should be the watchword, guiding international relations and diplomacy. While conducting diplomacy with Bangladesh, India had to follow the above-mentioned factors.

The book aims at evaluating the trends and patterns in Indo- Bangladesh relationship more in a chronological perspective. According to the author, a proper study of the relations can be made only in the context of the liberation movement of the people of Bangladesh against the West Pakistani rulers. The genocide in East Pakistan created a sharp reaction among the Indian people. She divides the subject into three chronologically arranged periods viz., the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman era, the Ziaur Rahman era and lastly the Ershad era.

During the regime of Mujibur Rahman, the relationship between the two was most friendly and cordial. The values and ideals of the Awami League were similar to those of the elites of the ruling Congress Party of India. It was during his period, that the Border Agreement of 1974 was reached and implemented. After the assassination of Mujibur Rahman, Gen. Ziaur Rahman brought into existence an anti-India stance, calling India's role as that of big brother. The Farakka Dam issue and the Joint River Commission were the bones of contention between the two countries. After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, Gen. Ershad took over the reigns of the government of Bangladesh. It was during his period that the leasing of Tin Bigha Corridor, was agreed upon which removed some of the irritants in the Indo-Bangladesh border dispute. The book also deals with the current and ongoing issues which are likely to affect the bilateral relations between the two nations and create tension in this region.

The author has taken great pains in presenting the issues, in simple and lucid language, which helps even a layman to grasp and understand Indo-Bangladesh relations. It is a very useful book.

C. A. PERUMAL

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