Beyond the MoUs

The large number of MoUs and deals signed between New Delhi and Dhaka during our PM's visit to India is evidently a product of government-to-government cooperation. There is a 'qualification clause' to state level cooperation though in public perception. The outcome is regarded widely as India-driven. It is also viewed as an extension of the grounds we had yielded without securing settlement of some important disputes with the neighbouring country. 

There is an unwritten thumb rule on negotiating circuits, especially in the UK – "It is the minute taker who influences a slant in outcome". This is not, however, to suggest that Bangladesh has not been denied of its inputs but to underscore the power of the primary agenda setter.

All this, however, goes to prove Indian Congress leader and former diplomat Mani Shankar Aiyar's forthright statement in Dhaka nearly a decade ago that "India needs Bangladesh more than Bangladesh needs India".

But presently, somebody put it like this, "China card is a big boil that needed to be lanced."

If the above narrative of government-to-government cooperation with a scintilla of qualification about the statement is true then what is equally true is that there's been little value addition to people-to-people relationship between the two neighbours. In fact a blank has been drawn in that area.

The MoUs and deals have a long gestation period apart from the fact that implementing them in a balanced and equitable way will not be a cakewalk. Thus, the people of Bangladesh looked forward to an immediate satisfactory solution on thorny livelihood and survival issues, let alone bridging trade gaps which is well within the Indian grasp to deliver. 

On the cultural level the two countries share similarities in heritage and lifestyle. There can be much better communication at the grassroots level leading up to the wider middle class. The academia and cultural icons of the two countries have been exchanging visits on some scale but this must be stepped up with a wider representation from Bangladesh.

Our television channel programmes need to be shown in India towards a fair dissemination of creative content between the two countries. 

For all these to happen, visa restrictions will have to be further relaxed and hospital and hotel services made user-friendly. 

On a political level, the Hindutva card is being played out fiercely in parts of India. This needs to be checked for the sake of warm relations with the people of Bangladesh. More to the point, that may help neutralise far-right fringes. 

Incidentally, veteran Indian leader LK Advani has suggested that Bangladesh Prime Minister could help secure a positive response from Pakistan for resumption of a peace initiative with India. But we have serious issues with Pakistan. Among others, it has tried to incite violence which has had a backlash in Bangladesh. Vested quarters wait in the wings to take advantage of the attempted trouble-mongering.

We must not shove under the carpet what may be bubbling away beneath the surface and try to deal with it energetically and wholeheartedly. 

Of the 22 deals signed with India, you have to scratch your head to find those that directly relate to people-to-people relationship. Scrolling down the long list of MoUs you see only a few that may help enhance contact at the people level. 

To tick these off: MoU and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on passenger and cruise services on the coastal and protocol route between the two countries; audio-visual co-production agreement; MoU on cooperation in the field of mass media; agreement for the regulation of motor vehicle passenger traffic (Khulna-Kolkata route) and SOP of the agreement; and financing agreement for the construction of 36 community clinics.

Subject to availability of details of the MoUs including the SOPs and their implementation, expert opinions can only be academic at this stage.

At any rate, older generations wax nostalgic about whistles going to be heard on the old rail and river routes that had been closed down since the 1965 India-Pakistan war. Today's youth may be wistfully looking at the benefit of greater sub-regional contacts.

The writer is a commentator on current affairs and former Associate Editor, The Daily Star. 

E-mail:shahhusainimam@gmail.com